About St Anthony’s Church – Franciscan missionaries first built a church in Siolim in 1568, which lasted for 32 years. In 1600, the missionaries planned for a new and larger church in another location more central to the Christians of Siolim. The realization of this project seems in grave doubt due to lack of sufficient funds. At that time two Portuguese merchants were caught in a severe storm sailing from Portugal. They had with them a statue of St. Anthony, and vowed that if they made to port safely, they would build a church where they landed. It so happened that their ship entered the Chapora River and docked on the left bank near the village of Marna. It was here they met the Franciscan missionaries looking for funds. The rest is history. The new church was dedicated to St. Anthony

In the early part of this century, the ravages of time took its toll on the first church of Saint Anthony. Attempts to repair the wall and renovate the roof appeared futile. The whole structure was in danger of collapsing. The parishioners decided to build a new church on the same site. The foundation stone of the church we see today was laid in November 1902. The consecration of took place on December 28,1907.