St. Anthony’s Church, Ternamakki

St. Anthony's ChurchTernamakki

A Brief History of the Church

Situated on the N.H.17, a few kilometers before Bhatkal, the Church at Ternamakki stands as one of the way-side pilgrimage Churches that dot the coastal belt of North Kanara. The Chapel that existed here since many years was demolished to make place for a new one when Fr. L. Figueiredo was the Priest-in charge. But before the building could be completed, Fr. Figueiredo was transferred and it was the turn of Fr. V. Pereira to complete the building, which was inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Ignatius Lobo, Bishop of Belgaum on 18th Nov. 1968.
Dedicated to St. Anthony one of the popular saints of our Diocese, the Church was for  some years looked after by the Franciscan Fathers. Subsequently, Ternamakki was made a sub-station of Shirali Church with no resident Priest at Ternamakki. But, to retain the spiritual presence, the sisters of the Ursuline Congregation agreed to reside in the Presbytery of the Church. The Sisters visited the families in the villages and surrounding. Fr. Lancy Rodrigues, Fr. Antony Rodrigues (Jr), Fr. Richard Rodrigues, Fr. Mark Tauro, Fr. Alwyn Cardoza have served the parish. Presently Fr. Paul Sequeira is the Parish Priest.

Our Former Priests
  • St. Anthony’s Church TERNAMAKKI P.O. Via Kaikini - 581 421
  • Mass Timings

Holy Cross Church, Shirali

Holy Cross ChurchShirali

A Brief History of the Church

With the blessing and the dedication of the Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption on 29th April 2002, started a new chapter in the historySituated on the bank of the Arabian Sea, the Chapel of Holy Cross at Shirali, which is an independent unit since 1984 has weathered many a storm and is a witness to the faith experience of the people of at least 4 generations. The Chapel at Shirali, according to one tradition existed from the time of Fr. Jose Vaz (1691 1694) but in the later years was represented by only a Cross. A new Chapel was built and blessed on 26-1-1926. This old Chapel was extended and renovated in 1946. The Parochial house was built in 1968 and hence onwards the Franciscan Fathers served in this unit. of this Diocese. Strange but true, the Diocese managed for 25 years with the Kajubag Church as the “Pro-Cathedral” of the Diocese! The history of the Parish dates back to the year 1862 when the capital of the North Kanara district was shifted from Honavar to Karwar. With the said transfer, all the government officials belonging to the Mangalorean Catholic community came to settle in Karwar.
The people even now remember with gratitude Fr. Vincent Pereira of the Diocese who tended the flock for many years and also the Franciscan Fathers (Fr. Nicholas, Fr. Paul Fernandes, Fr. Simon Pinto, Fr. Dharma and Fr. Baltazar). The new Church was built in 1980 and the Parochial house was rebuilt in 1999. A relic of the Holy Cross has been preserved here. we recall also the recent service of Fr. Lancy Rodrigues, Fr. Marcel Crasta, Fr. Lawrence D’Souza, Fr. Walter Pinto, Fr. ………..Fr. Pascal Rodrigues. Fr. Benedict Rodrigues is the parish Priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
–
Late Fr Vincent Pereira
02
–
Fr Nicholas ofm
03
–
Fr Paul Fernandes ofm
04
–
Fr Simon Pinto ofm
05
–
Fr Dharma ofm
06
–
Fr Balthazar Pinto ofm
07
–
Fr Lancy Rodrigues and Fr Marcel Crasta
08
–
Fr Lawrence D’ Souza
09
–
Fr Walter Pinto
10
–
Fr Paschal Rodrigues
11
–
Fr Mark Serao
12
–
Fr Benjamin D’ Souza
13
–
Fr Benedict J. Rodrigues
12
–
Fr. Wilson Fernandes
  • Holy Cross Church SHIRALI, Alvekodi 581 354
  • Mass Timings

Christ the King Church, Murdeshwar

Christ the King ChurchMurdeshwar

A Brief History of the Church

Murdeshwar Church is situated on the coast of Arabian Sea. This beautiful scenic place is famous for its temple. Every day thousands of people come to this place to visit Shiva temple, for picnic and holidays. The majority of the people are Muslims followed by Hindus and then the Catholics. There are about 900 Catholics here. The main occupation of the Catholics is stone cutting, construction work, tailoring and fishing.
This Church had Fr. Vincent Pereira as the first Parish Priest and he was looking after Bailur, Ternamakki and Shirali. He served in this Parish from 1956-1975, almost 19 years. People still remember the great vigour and enthusiasm with which he used to go walking or cycling to fulfil the spiritual needs of the people. It was his interest and vigour which made so many people come closer to the Church and sacramental life. From 1975 to 1993 the Franciscan Fathers (Fr. Nicholas D’Souza, Fr. Dharma, Fr. Cornelius D’Souza, Fr. Paul Fernandes, Fr. Rophy D’Silva, Fr. Augustine Pinto and Fr. Baltazar Pinto looked after the Church, after whom Fr. Peter Carneiro, a Diocesan was appointed Parish Priest with Fr. Richard Rodrigues as Assistant Parish Priest.
They served in Murdeshwar for six years. During Fr. Peter Carneiro’s time Bailur and Shirali were made independent units. The new Presbytery was also built and named as ‘Jubilee Mansion’ during Fr. Peter’s time. A Grotto dedicated to Mother of Miracles’ and a huge Cross, which is kept illuminated at night is built at the beachfront.Fr. Anacletus D Mello, Fr. Sebastian Pinto Fr Alwyn Cardoza, Fr. Joseph D Souza, have served the Parish. Presently Fr. Valerian D Souza is the parish Priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1957 – 1975
Fr. Vincent Pereira
02
1975 – 1983
Fr.Nicholas D Souza
03
1983 – 1986
Fr.Carnelius D Souza
04
1986 – 1989
Fr.Rolphy D Silva
05
1989 – 1991
Fr. Augustine Pinto
06
1991 – 1993
Fr.Balthazar Pinto
07
1993 – 1999
Fr.Peter Carnerio
08
1999 – 2004
Fr. Anecletus Dmello
09
2004 – 2010
Fr.Sebastian Pinto
10
2010 – 2015
Fr.Alwyn Cardoza
11
2015 – 2021
Fr Joseph D Souza
12
2021 – Present
Fr. Valerian D Souza
  • Christ the King Church MURDESHWAR – 581 350
  • Mass Timings

Holy Cross Church, Manki

Holy Cross ChurchManki

A Brief History of the Church

As one visits the Church of Holy Cross, Manki, one finds a big Cross-monument in front of the Church. On close scrutiny we find there the name of Msgr. Honaratio Silva, a man held in high esteem in Manki, as the Parish Priest and pioneer of the Church and the surrounding villages. The Church at Manki is supposed to have been established in 1888. It was a Chapel under Gulmona till 1891. It was erected as a Parish on 19-2-1896. The majority of the people of Manki are fisherfolk who embark their boat for fishing from the shore close to the Church. Naturally as they go and as they return the site of the Church invokes in their mind a prayer of blessing and thanksgiving. The sound and fury of the monsoons as also the roar of the waves have often beckoned the parishioners to the Church quarters to pray for their near and dear ones, and in necessity and emergency, the whole village irrespective of caste and creed becomes one, invoking the succour of the Cross.
For long, Manki was served by Franciscan missionaries like Fr. Paul Fernandes, Fr. Rolphy D’Silva, Fr. Moras etc. It was  when Fr. Antony Rodrigues was the Parish Priest that the old Church was demolished and the new one was constructed. Fr. Antony supervised the construction of the Presbytery too. After Fr. Antony, Fr. Joe D’Souza, Fr. Valerian Sequeira, Fr. Urban Santosh Fernandes, Fr. Jerome D Souza, Fr. Alphy D Silva have served the Parish. Presently Fr. Villet Fernandes is the present Parish Priest. 

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1896-1898
Rev. Fr. Joao Xavier Tiago D’silva
02
1898-1900
Rev. Fr. Manuel Salvador D’Souza
03
1900-1903
Rev. Fr. Vincent Sebestian D’Mello
04
1903-1909
Rev. Fr. Antonio Manuel Sutorio Almeida
05
1909-1911
Rev. Fr. Philip Neri Joao Manuel Pereira
06
1892-1897
Fr. Joaquem Xavier do Piedade Saldanha
07
1911-1916
Rev. Fr. Antonio Joao da Piadade Furtado
08
1916-1925
Rev. Fr. Remedios de Rozario Gomes
09
1925-1936
Rev. Fr. Francisco Xavier Gracio
10
1936-1943
Rev. Fr. Jose Camilo Sutorio Gomes
11
1943-1966
Rev. Fr. Honaratio D’Silva
12
1966-1970
Rev. Fr. Thomas D’Silva
13
1970-1972
Rev. Fr. Sebestian Fernandes
14
1975-1980

Rev. Fr. Cornelius D’Souza OFM
15
1980-1986

Rev. Fr. Alphonse Moraes OFM
16
1986-1989

Rev. Fr. Cornelius D’Souza OFM
17
1989-1995
Rev. Fr. Anthony Rodrigues
18
1995-2001

Rev. Fr. Joseph D’Souza
19
2001-2002

Rev. Fr. Valerian Sequeira
20
2002-2008
Rev. Fr. Urban Santosh Fernandes
21
2008-2015
Rev. Fr. Jerome D’Souza
22
2015-2018
Rev. Fr. Michale Pinto
23
2018-2021

Rev. Fr. Alphy D’Silva
24
2021-onwards

Rev. Fr. Vilet Fernandes
  • Holy Cross Church MANKI - 581 348
  • Mass Timings

Our Lady of Fatima Church, Madi

Our Lady of Fatima, Manki, Madi

A Brief History of the Church

The parish of Our Lady of Fatima, Manki, Madi, Honavar, was a part of the parish of Holy Cross Church, Manki, which has a history of about three hundred years. It served as a mission station for the convenience of the parishioners who found it difficult to commute to their parish church which is about 3 kilometres away. The initial church building which is located a few yards away has been used for time immemorial for worship by the people of Madi village. It is still preserved and is being used for worship and other church related activities. The Church is located on the hill facing the picturesque Madi Beach.
It is dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima in order to commemorate the earth shaking event of the vision of Our Lady, the Holy Mother of Jesus to the three little shepherd children of Fatima, Portugal in 1917. The artistic depiction of this vision adorns the entrance of the church. It is a second stop for devotion and promotion of the message of Our Lady of Fatima in the diocese of Karwar, next to the much older church of Our Lady of Fatima, Molkod, Honavar, which is located a few miles away on the bank of the river Sharavati. Besides the usual liturgical services conducted in the Church for the benefit of the parishioners, the devotion and services held in the church are focussed on the core message of Fatima -Prayer, Penance and Sacrifice for peace in the world and in our homes.
Every Wednesday, novena to Our Lady of Fatima, is attended by the parishioners and the people from nearby area. Similarly the first Saturday devotion requested by Our Lady of Fatima is also conducted. Walking pilgrimage and processions are conducted twice a year especially during the Lenten season. The parish also strives towards the spiritual, moral and social upliftment of the people through various development programs for children, youth, women and men. Rev. Fr. Lawrence D’Silva is present parish priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
2007 to 2013
Fr. John Abel D’Souza
02
2013 to 2021
Fr. Bonaventure Rodrigues
03
2015 to 2021
Fr. Francis Miranda
04
2021 onwards
Fr. Lorens D’Silva
  • Our Lady of Fatima, Manki, Madi
  • Mass Timings

Mary Mother of God Church, Kodani

Mary Mother of God Church Kodani

A Brief History of the Church

The Church of the Mother of the People of God, popularly known as Shanti Ashram is another of those coastal belt parishes, which has given many Priests a reason to live his Priesthood as a challenge and risk! Known for their affectionate approach and willing co-operation to the Priests, the people of Kodani are hardworking, brave and resolute.
The old Chapel at Kodani is supposed to be in existence since the beginning of the 20th century. It was first under the Gundibala Parish and then under the Honavar Parish. They are capable of flattening a mountain if it would serve their purpose. This gigantic work was accomplished under the leadership of the late Fr. Peter D’Souza. Who supervised the construction of the new Church is being completed at Bellimakki a Sub station of Kodani. Of the Priests who have served at Kodani, the names of Fr. J. B. D’ Silva, who initiated many developments, Fr. Prashant Coelho OFM Cap, Fr. Navil D’ Souza, Fr. Jerome Baretto, Fr. Philip Lopes, Fr. Stany Crasta, Fr. Peter D’ Souza, Fr. Antony D’ Souza, Fr. Cyril D’ Souza. Presently Fr Joachim Furtado is looking after the spiritual needs of the people.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1965 – 1968
Fr. J.B.Silva
02
1968 – 1976
Fr. Apollonaries
03
1976 – 1981
Fr. Herold D’souza
04
1968 – 1976
Fr. Prashanth Coelho
05
1986 – 1990
Fr. Navil D’Souza
06
1990 – 1996
Fr. Jerome Baretto
07
1996 – 1999
Fr. Philip Lopes
08
1999 – 2001
Fr. Stany Caster
09
2001 – 2008
Fr. Peter D’souza
10
2008 – 2013
Fr. Antony Dsouza
11
2010
Fr. John Worth
12
2013 – 2019
Fr. Cyril D’Souza
13
2019 – 2025
Fr. Joachim Furtado
14
2025
Fr. John Abel D’Souza
  • Mary Mother of God Church Shanthi Ashram, KODANI P.O. Via Melin Idgunji Honavar 581 423
  • Mass Timings

St. Joseph’s Church, Lower Kasarkod

St. Joseph's ChurchLower Kasarkod

A Brief History of the Church

Rev. Fr. Alfred Roche, the Capuchin Priest who built the Church at Lower Kasarkod while he was the Parish Priest resembled very much the saintly Padre Pio, is the ‘Servant of God’ and whose beatification process is on. Fr. Roche had also in him the saintly disposition. He has touched the lives of many in Kasarkod and surroundings with his prudent insistence, gentle push and spiritual counseling. Many a person was reformed on coming into contact with him.
The Capuchins arrived in Lower Kasarkod in 1975. Though a Church existed in this place for many years, its tiny structure and dilapidated condition prompted Fr. Roche to undertake the building of the new Church, foundation for which was laid on 1st May 1977. The Church dedicated to St. Joseph was the first one to be inaugurated after the inception of the new Diocese. It was inaugurated by our Bishop and blessed by Rt. Rev. Ignatius Lobo, Bishop of Belgaum on 30th April 1979. On 1st May every year the feast of St. Joseph attracts large crowds from all over North Kanara.
After Fr. Alfred Roche, other Capuchin stalwarts like Fr. Gregory Vaz, Fr. Walter Saldanha, Fr. Eugene Rebello and Fr. Peter Mendonca have served in this Church. Fr. Alfred Roche returned once again in 1987, this time to be the Superior of the Friary which was started at Lower Kasarkod and remained upto 1993. Fr. Mark Saldanha, the Parish Priest and Fr. John Harry D’Souza and Fr. Paul D’Souza are the other two Friars who render service to the people of Lower Kasarkod in the great tradition of the Capuchin Order. After Fr. Mark Saldanha, Fr. Valerian D’Silva, Fr. Paul D’Souza, Fr. Arthur Menezes, Fr. Denis Saldanha, Fr. Santan Gonsalves have served the parish in their own capacity. Presently Fr. Albert D’Silva, is the parish priest and Fr. Salvadore Fernandes, the assistant, are rendering their pastoral service at Lower Kasarkod.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1918 to 1923
Rev. Fr. Miguel Gregorio D’souza
02
1924
Fr. Domingos Caetano Braz d’Azevedo
03
1924
Fr. Luis Filippe d’Athaide
04
1925
Fr. Mateus Francisco C. Bareto
05
1926
Fr. Domingos Caetano Braz d’Azevedo
06
1932
Fr. Thomas Mascarenhas
07
1932
Fr. Antonio V.C.C. Fernandes
08
1934
Fr. Pedro Nicolan Pereira
09
1938
Fr. Thomas Mascarenhas
10
1938
Fr. Pedro Nicolan Pereira
11
1938
Fr. Thomas Mascarenha
12
1940
Fr. Natividad Souza
13
1942 – 1960
Fr. Filipe Agostinho Carvalho
14
1972
Fr. C.Masearenhas
15
1973
Fr. Claude Castello
  • St. Joseph’s Church Lower KASARKOD - 581 342
  • Mass Timings

Sacred Heart Church, Karikal (Bhatkal)

Sacred Heart ChurchMavinkurve - Karikal

A Brief History of the Church

“One good deed generates another”, so they say. The philanthropic gesture of Mr. A. J. Rebello in donating 31 acres of land for the Diocese in 1977, was appreciated by our Bishop Most Rev. Dr. William L. D Mello and he was waiting for an opportunity to make good use of it. When unprecedented floods in Honavar area inundated many houses, mostly of the poor, the Bishop struck upon a plan to build houses for the poor in Karikal, and 40 houses were built.
While this area was earlier taken care of by the Priests of Mundalli Church, Fr. Theophilus Pereira OFM Cap. was given independent charge of the place to attend to the spiritual needs of the poor on 16.8.1993. By then a Community Hall was built, which was also used as a Chapel. Fr. Theophilus supervised the construction of the Presbytery. The bishop planned to make further use of the land for humanitarian projects like the TB sanatorium, Orphanage etc. But he encountered opposition, since some Hindus claimed a portion of the land for the use of the locals. After much litigation and peace committee meetings, Bishop finally conceded about four acres of the land for the purpose of a playground for the locals. After Fr. Theophilus, Fr. Gnana Prakash Rao, Fr. Antony Lopes, Fr. Stany D Cunha, Fr. Mark Tauro have given their yeomen service. Presently Fr. Lawrence Fernandes is the Parish Priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1994 to 2000
Fr Theophilus Cap
02
2000 to 2006
Fr.Gnyan Prakash Rao
03
2012 to 2018
Fr Stany Dcunha
04
2018 to 2021
Fr Mark Serrao
05
2021 to Present
Fr Lawrence Fernandes
  • Sacred Heart of Jesus Church KARIKAL, Mavinkurve 581 432
  • Mass Timings

Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Bhatkal (Mundalli)

Our Lady of Lourdes ChurchMundalli - Bhatkal

A Brief History of the Church

As the oral tradition goes, there was a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes on the very spot of the present Church of Mundalli (foundation of the mission unit) since 1907. Manki being the parish church, Murdeshwar and Bhatkal were its sub-stations. Gradually two more substations, Ternamakki and Shirali, were added to the Manki Mission unit. In the course of time Murdeshwar got the status of being the parish church, with Shirali, Ternamakki, and Bhatkal as its sub-stations. These places were looked after for many years by Fr. Vincent Pereira (1957-1974), the Diocesan Priest of the Diocese of Belgaum, who was the Parish Priest of Murdeshwar and of the whole of Bhatkal Taluk.

For most of the official work, fixing of marriage, etc., people from Bhatkal always had to go to Murdeshwar, and this was inconvenient for the people. Therefore, from the year 1957, the chapel had its own registration of all the sacraments.

The Franciscans (O.F.M.) were searching for a mission in North Kanara. It was in 1974 that the Bhatkal mission was offered to the Franciscans. The Franciscan Friars (Fr. Paul Fernandes OFM was the first Franciscan Friar to arrive in Bhatkal as Priest in-Charge of Our Lady of Lourdes Chapel) arrived in Bhatkal in the month of September 1974. Fr. Nicholas D’Souza OFM joined him in October 1974. The late Bishop Ignatius Lobo, the then Bishop of Belgaum, who was a classmate of Fr. Paul Fernandes was responsible for inviting the Franciscans to Bhatkal. The Franciscan Friars and the Parishioners of Bhatkal are indebted to him for his invitation. On 24 January 1976 Pope Paul VI, in his Decree Christi Missum, separated Karwar from the Diocese of Belgaum and erected it as an independent Diocese. On the 11th of February 1979, Bhatkal was erected as a full-fledged parish by the late Bishop William D’Mello, the Bishop of Karwar. It was during Franciscan Pastoral Ministry; the church was built in 1983. From `1986 to 1989 the bishop took the parish back and appointed Fr. Lawrence Pereira the diocesan priest. On 23rd March 1989, once again Bhatkal was given back to the Franciscans by the Bishop of Karwar “in perpetuum,” and since then Bhatkal Parish has been under the care of the Franciscan Order of St. Thomas Province in India.

Since there was a lack of space in the church, the parish church was again renovated in the year 2019 by the then parish priest, Fr. Nicholas D’Souza, OFM. From May 2021 onwards, Fr. Prem D’Souza has been serving as the parish priest of the parish, and Dr. Dharma has been serving as the assisting priest. The parish has around 197 families and around 660 Catholic parishioners. The church has its own cemetery behind the church building on the hill slope, which also has a history of over 90 years.

St. Joseph Chapel:

Our Lady of Lourdes Mundalli, Bhatkal, has a sub-station, which is called St. Joseph Chapel Puravarga. When Fr. Paul Fernandes arrived in Bhatkal in 1974, there was no chapel to pray for the people of Puravarga. The Friars used to have the Sunday Mass in parishioners’ houses. Even during the time of Fr. Vincent Pereira (1957-1974), Mass was celebrated in the houses. Sr. Bebiana Noronha, an Ursuline Franciscan Sister, used to teach catechism to the children and prepare them for the Mass.

It was the intention of Fr. Paul Fernandes, OFM, to build a chapel in Puravarga itself so that the people could pray and celebrate the Eucharist. Fr. Agnel D’Mello OFM, who arrived in Bhatkal in January 1976, initiated this process and made a project for the construction of a chapel in the cemetery that was granted by the Government of Karnataka. Later on, the Franciscan Friars who were working in Bhatkal Taluk dropped the idea of building a chapel in the cemetery due to the distance. Therefore, they began to search for a new place for the construction of a chapel. Fr. Nicholas, who became the Parish Priest of Bhatkal in June 1983, played a very major role in buying 10 guntas of land from the Government of Karnataka beside the main road Puravarga (Bhatkal). On 16th December 1985, the foundation was laid for the construction of the Chapel by Bishop William D’Mello in the presence of R. N. Naik, MLA, and the faithful of Puravarga. Fr. Lawrence Pereira of the Diocese of Karwar took charge of Bhatkal Parish in June 1986 and completed the construction work of the Chapel in Puravarga. The Chapel was inaugurated and blessed on 19th March 1987 by the late Bishop William D’Mello in the presence of priests, religious, and the faithful of Bhatkal. After the inauguration, the Catholics of Puravarga gathered in the chapel every day in the evenings to pray. Though it bears the name St. Joseph’s Church,” it is only a sub-station (chapel) of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Mundalli. It is situated about 4 km to the south from the Bhatkal bus stop on the Bhatkal-Mangalore road.

When the Friars arrived in Bhatkal, there were about 25 families in Puravarga, and now it has grown in number as well as in spirituality. The substation, St. Joseph Chapel, has 95 families and around 300 faithful. The priest resides in the parish and reaches out to the spiritual, moral, and economic needs of the faithful. Also serves for the social well-being of the people without discrimination. 

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1974 – 1974
Fr. Paul Fernandes
02
1974
Fr. Nicholas D’Souza
03
1976 – 1979
Fr. Angel D’mello
04
1979 – 1980
Fr. Paul Fernandes
05
1980 – 1983
Fr. Simon Pinto
06
1983 – 1986
Fr. Nicholas D’Souza
07
1986 – 1989
Fr. Lawrence Pereira
08
1989 – 1992
Fr. Valentine Crasta
09
1992 – 1998
Fr. Dharma L. Bernard
10
1998 – 2004
Fr. Valerian Quadros
11
2004 – 2007
Fr. Cajetan Laurenco
12
2007 – 2010
Fr. Alphonse Moras
13
2010 – 2014
Fr. Balthazar Pinto
14
2014 – 2016
Fr. Alwyn D’Souza
15
2016
Fr. Prashanth Fernandes
16
2016 – 2020
Fr. Nicholas D’Souza
17
2020 – 2021
Fr. Cajetan Laurenco
18
2021- Onwards
Fr. Prem Kumar D’Souza
  • Our Lady of Lourdes Church MUNDALLI P.O. Bhatkal 581 320
  • Mass Timings

St. Pedro Poveda Church, Shantinagar

Blessed Pedro Poveda ChurchShantinagar, Honavar

A Brief History of the Church

Shantinagar, the town of peace, certainly needed an abode of peace! The yearnings of the people of Royalkeri, Bandehalla and Belkond were realised in the form of a new Church, which was inaugurated on 25.4.2002. Since time immemorial these vaddos had been an integral part of the Honavar Parish.
The Teresian Association in Bandehalla had a role to play in the birth of the new Parish. Invited by the Bishop in 1977, the Teresian Association established the Society for the Advancement of Rural People of India (SARPI) on a piece of land donated by Mr. F. X. D’Souza of Bandehalla. Being a Lay Association, the members of the Association in their lay outfits endeared themselves to the people with development-oriented activities like non-formal education, Balwadies etc. For many years the SARPI hall was also used as a Prayer Hall for religious purposes. The Teresian Association also extended their services by making themselves available for running the Institute for the mentally retarded children of the District, at Bhatkal Cross in Honavar, which today has become a Model Institute for the whole district of Karwar.

It was natural that when Fr. Pedro Poveda who founded the Teresian Association was declared Blessed by the Holy Father in Rome on 10.10.1993, it was both a matter of joy for the Association members as well as the Christians in Bandehalla. Naturally, the fervour of the Association and the devotion of the people was kindled on finding a Patron for their Church. Karwar Diocese takes credit for the first Church in the world to be named after Blessed Pedro Poveda.

Bandehalla area was bifurcated from the Honavar Parish and culled into a new and independent unit with Fr. Valerian Sequeira as the first Priest-in-charge on May 31, 1998. Fr. Valerian left no stone unturned in his untiring efforts to build the new Church and Presbytery with the support of the people. After Fr. Valerian Sequeira, Fr. Navil D’ Souza, Fr. Navil Rodrigues, Fr. Francis Fernandes, Fr. Paul Sequeira. Fr. Alwyn Cardoza is presently the Parish Priest of the Church.

Our Former Priests
  • St. Pedro Poveda Church SHANTINAGAR Honavar – 581 39
  • Mass Timings