About Us – Salsette Catholic Cooperative Housing Society

As the British Government looked to develop the suburbs into residential settlements, it seemed imminent that the Catholics of Bandra would end up selling their lands to rich outsiders. This was disturbing to the Accountant General of Bombay Presidency Francis Anthony Cyril Rebello popularly known as FAC Rebello, who was deeply concerned about the welfare of the Catholic community.

To ensure that the lands were kept within the community, FAC Rebello convinced its owners not to sell their properties but rather become shareholders and tenants in common. A strong believer in the co-operative movements, he founded The Salsette Catholic Cooperative Housing Society in 1918 with the objective to acquire suitable plots of land for residential homes with the necessary amenities.

For this, sixty nine acres had to be acquired, and the only way to do so was to bring the landowners under the scheme. It seemed quite a mammoth task. However, one of the largest landowners Paul C Gonsalves had a foresight of this wonderful vision and willingly brought his lands into the Salsette Cooperative Housing Society scheme. He even personally influenced other landowners to do likewise and so made it possible for the Society to secure its lands. Alternatively, the society also purchased plots from various other parties as well.

By July 1920, the 69 acres were acquired of which 1 acre 25 gunthas were given for a gymkhana and an East Indian Hall, 2 acres for a convent, 4 acres for the society which would be open to all Catholic residents of Bandra, that eventually went on to become St Andrew’s High School.

The plots measured from 600 square yards to 1200 square yards each and leases for 999 years were drawn, which contained clauses against the assignment or sale of the land to non-Catholics, with the essential objective of preserving the unique Catholic identity and culture of the place.

From its inception till date, the Salsette Catholic Cooperative Housing Society has grown both in stature as well membership due the development of residential buildings and the development of the D’monte Park Recreation Centre, all exclusively for Roman Catholics.

Under the stewardship of very efficient Managing Committees that were helmed by stalwarts of the community, year after year the Society has been awarded an A grade certificate by the statutory auditor. In 2015, it even went on win the Government of Maharashtra award for ‘The Best Run Cooperative Housing Society’.

Hall of Fame

Watch our Journey

A beautiful journey begins in 1918, with the foundation of the Salsette Catholic Society under the leadership of F. A. C. Rebello , also known as the father of Catholic Co-operative Housing Societies in Bombay.