Walking on from the Chinese fishing nets brings you to a typically English village green. In one corner stands the church of St Francis, the first European church in India. Originally built in wood and named Santo Antonio, it was probably associated with Franciscans friars from Portugal. Exactly when it was founded is not known, but the stone structure is likely to date from the early sixteenth century. The façade, with multicurved sides, became the model for most Christian churches in India. Vasco da Gama was buried here in 1524, but his body was later removed to Portugal.

Under the Dutch, the church was renovated and became Protestant in 1663, then Anglican with the advent of the British in 1795 and since 1949 has been placed in the walls, the earliest of which is from 1562. One hangover from British days is the continued used of punkahs, large swinging cloth fans on frames suspended above the congregation; these are operated by people sitting outside pulling on cords.