- Bangladesh’s first church was founded at Iswaripur in Satkhira district in 1600
- The church no longer exists, and a Muslim family occupies the land
- The diocese offered to buy the site, but the occupants refused
- Efforts to recover it have stalled over money and administrative support
Catholics in Bangladesh are struggling to recover the site of the country’s first church, Catholic World Report said on January 10, 2026, in a report from Catholic News Agency.
The Church of the Holy Name of Jesus at Iswaripur in Satkhira district, near the Sundarbans, was founded on January 1, 1600, by Portuguese Jesuits Francesco Fernandes and Domingo de Sousa. Construction was completed in December 1599 with permission and funding from Raja Pratapaditya, and Portuguese soldiers in the king’s army contributed and worshipped there.
The church no longer exists. A Muslim family occupies the land, and a garden covers the site. The late Bishop Michael D’Rozario, who led Khulna Diocese from 1970 to 2005, tried to reclaim it. “The bishop took the initiative to take over the site on behalf of the Catholic Church and offered to pay for it, but those living there did not agree,” said Father Philip Mondal. Current efforts have stalled for lack of money and administrative support, although officials have said they would help if a formal request is made.
More than four centuries later, the church has not recovered the land where it began.
Jamaica also has historic church sites, some abandoned after hurricanes or congregational decline, where the land has since been occupied or reused. Once a building is gone and records are lost, reclaiming the site becomes very hard. Churches should keep title documents for historic sites, even disused ones, and decide deliberately whether to sell, lease or protect them.
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