Our Lady of the Sea Church, Bankikodla

Our Lady of the Sea ChurchBankikodla - Gokarn

A Brief History of the Church

Twenty five years ago, a month before the new Diocese was born, Fr. E.A.S.Barros, Parish Priest of Our Lady of the Sea Church was seated one evening outside on the verandah of his old Presbytery. From a distance he saw a tall Priest walking towards the Presbytery. Fr. Barros welcomed the tall figure and asked him who he was. The Priest answered “Fr. Barros, from 29th April, I shall be your Bishop!” Good old Fr. Barros was almost on his knees paying his respects to the bishop-elect of Karwar, Rt. Rev. Dr. William L. D’Mello, on his maiden visit to Gokarn! Fr. Barros spent thirty-four years of his Priesthood in this interior Parish, in those years when it was even inaccessible to the public. Prior to him, Fr. A. J. Saldanha of happy memories was also in this Parish (from 1941-1951)
There is a curious account of how the Church came to be named as the Church of Our Lady of the Sea. Sometime towards the end of the 19th century, a ship is supposed to have been caught up in a storm unable to reach the shore. It is then that they saw a wooden statue of Our Lady come floating by. They recovered the statue and vowed to build a Chapel if they succeeded in reaching the shore safely. They did, and the sailors are supposed to have built a small edifice to keep the statue, which was the first Chapel in a predominantly non-Christian area.
Gokarn, as is known to all, is a pilgrimage center for the Hindus. The old Chapel was blessed on 16.5.1886. The Bankikodla Mission was made a sub-station of the Kumta Parish. Bankikodla Chapel was raised to the status of a Parish on 30th Aug. 1951 with Fr. E.A.S. Barros as the first Parish Priest. Though subsequently the Church as also the Presbytery were repaired and renovated, a new Church and New Presbytery were considered necessary. The new Church was inaugurated in the year of the Diocesan silver Jubilee on 11th Feb. 2002, on which day is celebrated every year the annual feast of the Church. Fr. Thomas Misquith, Fr. Samuel Fernandes, Fr. Bruno Fernandes, Fr. Gnana Prakash Rao, Fr. Benedict Rodrigues, who supervised the construction the new Parish building, Fr. Stany D Cunha, Fr. Gabriel Monis, Fr. Stany D Souza have served the Parish. Fr. Joachim Monteiro is presently the Parish Priest of the Church.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1951 – 1982
E.A.S. Barros
02
1983 – 1984
Fr.Thomas Misquith
03
1984 – 1985
Fr. Samuel
04
1986 – 1988
Fr. Egidious Monteiro
05
1988 – 1992
Fr. Bruno Fernandes
06
1992 – 1999
Fr. Gnanaprakash Rao
07
1999 – 2006
Fr. Benedict Rodrigues
08
2006 – 2012
Fr. Stany D’ Cunha
09
2012 – 2017
Fr. Gabriel Monis
10
2017 – 2018
Fr. Stany D’ Souza
11
2018 – 2025
Fr. Joachim Monteiro
12
2025 – Onwards
Fr. Joachim Furtado
  • Our Lady of the Sea Church Hanehalli, BANKIKODLA – 581 319 Uttar Kannada District
  • 08382-226451
  • Mass Timings

Holy Rosary Church, Ankola

Holy Rosary ChurchAnkola

A Brief History of the Church

Towards the end of the 17 century, the Jesuits are supposed to have been the ones to have built the Church at Ankola, coming as they were from Anjediva, where they were already well established. This first Church was dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. By the end of the 18 century, at the time of the captivity of the Christians by Tipu Sultan, Ankola was already a flourishing town with a Catholic population of about 7000! The Ankola Church which was destroyed at the time of Tipu’s persecution, was rebuilt in 1801. In the monsoon of 1877, its walls came down. A new Church dedicated to Our Lady of Rosary was built and blessed on 18-12-1899, After the Catholic population dwindled the Church was made a sub-station and there was a time when Ankola was served by Priests from even as far as Honavar.
There are at present 56 Catholic families here. Of the Pastors who served in this Parish. Frs. A.J. Saldanha is held in revered memory as he was appointed twice to this Parish for a total number of about 30 years (1952-1961 & 1964 – 1985). The present Church was constructed in 1984. The Chapel that is dedicated to Infant Jesus Sunksal which is about 35 kms away from Ankola on the road to Yellapur was the sub-station of Sunksal where the. 33 families live in this area and priests from Ankola looked after their spiritual needs. Now Sunkal is made as an independent Unit with a resident Priest.
Fr. Pedro Vitorino B. Mendonsa, Fr. Clemento Caitano, Fr. Mariano Ciceira, Fr. Louis Caitan Apoline fernandes, Fr. Joao Gregorio Amario Gratias, Fr. P.L. Lima, Fr. Fr. Antonio J. Saldanha, Fr. Louis Lobo, Fr. Willie D’ Silva, Fr. C Almeida, Fr. Chrysostom Rodrigues, Fr. Bonaventure Rodrigues, Fr. Andrew Pinto, Fr. Wilson Fernandes, Fr. Michael Pinto, Fr John Abel D Souza served in the Parish. During the tenure of Fr. Michael Pinto New Church building was constructed. Presently Fr. Lawrence Pereira is the Parish Priest.

Our Former Priests
  • Our Lady of the Holy Rosary ANKOLA 581 314
  • 08382-226451
  • Mass Timings

Holy Cross Church, Shirwad

Holy Cross ChurchShirwad

A Brief History of the Church

Puneeth Sadan, the abode of holiness, houses the Holy Cross Mission, Shirwad. The proximity to the Railway station and shifting of sizable population from Karwar to Shirwad side has brought in more Catholic families to this side. The Mission has already about 60 families.
On 24th June 1988, Fr.William Rasquinha was appointed as the first Priest-in-charge. Makkeri is also part of the Shirwad Mission. It has a Chapel dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. The Chapel of Makkeri was renovated in 1996. Since 1999 Fr. David Pinto, then Rector of the Holy Cross Orientation Centre not only looked after the Spiritual needs of the Shirwad Mission but he saw that a new and a decent building came up due to his hard work. After him Frs. Jerome D Souza, Fr. Lazarus Miranda have served the mission. Presently Fr. Gabriel Monis is looking after the mission.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
2006 – 2010
Fr. Benjamin Dsouza
02
2010-2015
Fr.Thomas Misquith
03
2015- 2021
Fr. Jerome dsouza
04
2021- May 2023
fr. Lazarus Miranda
  • Holy Cross Church Shirwad, Karwar – 581 306
  • Mass Timings

Our Lady of Piety Church, Kone, Karwar

Our Lady of Piety ChurchKone, Karwar

A Brief History of the Church

The history of Our Lady of Piety, Kone dates back to the times when the Padroado Missionaries came here to look after the spiritual welfare of the Catholic settlers from Goa and a few local converts. A large part of the present Karwar town was a marshy place but as the place got filled up a township developed and more and more people came and settled here since Karwar became the district headquarters. The small Church which was the enlarged version of an earlier Chapel, was the Spiritual Centre of all the Catholics from Kodibag, Baithkhol, Sezwad to Kone until a separate Church was built in Kajubag to take care mostly of the government servants who were migrants from the Propaganda Jurisdiction in South Kanara.
The present Church building with its concrete pillars and beams is the first concrete building in the town of Karwar. The building that began somewhere in 1942 was completed and blessed in 1947 and stands as a monument to the determination, the spirit of sacrifice, the faith and self-respect of a people who were economically poor but not in spirit and mind. They contributed through kind, labour and cash, collected funds locally and in Bombay through donations, raffles and fancy fete. No help was received from the Church authorities at all – a great achievement indeed! Late Fr. S. Carvalho who came after the construction of the new building gave the finishing touches and put up the steps. He and Msgr. A. Gracias are remembered with love by people of the older generation for what they have done for them. 
After the reorganization of the Parishes in Karwar by the new Bishop in 1978 the Parish is reduced in area and number too. The total number of families is 120 and the total Catholic population is 450, quite a number of whom are old couples whose children have settled in Bombay or abroad. The Parish renewal that began with late Fr. A. G. Rego, an erudite scholar and pastor, continued by Fr. Anthony Lopez, Fr. Ambrose Fernandes, Msgr. Simon Tellis, has changed the attitude and ways of the people on the whole and it holds a great promise for the future. Fr Valerian Sequeira, Fr. Ireneus Dias, have served the Parish with vigour. Presently Fr. Edwin Paul D Souza is the Parish Priest..

Our Former Priests
  • Our Lady of Piety Church KONE Karwar
  • Mass Timings

St. John the Evangelist Church, Chendia

St. John the Evangelist Church Chendia

A Brief History of the Church

The earliest known roots of Chendia Church date back to the year 1800 when the Church was at Ankola. The Priest from there used to come to offer mass and administer sacraments in one of the houses at Idoor (presently a vaddo of Chendia). Later a thatched hut was built there for this purpose. At the place where the present Church stands, stood a Chapel built 150 years ago. 
When in the year 1921 Binaga was established as a Parish, Chendia was looked after as its Chapel. Separate sacramental registers for Chendia are maintained from the year 1933 1965. In 1980 Amdalli was erected as an independent Mission unit and Chendia was administered from there. Fr. Henry D’Mello was appointed the first resident Priest at Chendia in the month of June 1991. The construction of this new Church began in that year. In June 1993 Fr. John Wilson took over from Fr. D’Mello. The new Church was blessed and inaugurated on 20.10.1993. After Fr. John Wilson’s transfer in May 1994, this Parish was again looked after by the Priest from Amadalli. Fathers Britto D’Silva, Marian Menezes, Fr Joseph D Souza, Fr. Urban Santhosh Fernandes, Fr. Peter D Souza, Fr. Gnana Prakash Rao, have served in this Church. At present Fr. Antony Rodrigues (jr) is in charge at Chendia Church.

Our Former Priests
  • St. John Evangelist Church CHENDIA -581 324
  • Mass Timings

St. Anne’s Church, Binaga

St. Anne's ChurchBinaga

A Brief History of the Church

The history of St. Anne’s Church is quite an old one, having its origin to the Church of Our Lady of Brotas on Angediva Island. Ptolemy the Greek Scholar showed Angediva island on a map he prepared in A.D. 150. The Portuguese were the first European power to step on this island and inhabit it from 1498 up to 1961.

It is said that Vasco da Gama, on his way back to Portugal from Calicut, landed on this island on 29.9.1448 for repairs of his ships, collecting sweet water and buying foodstuff from nearby villages. Then again on 22.8.1500 Dom Pedro Alvares Cabral came with 1200 Portuguese men and the first Missionaries consisting of 8 Franciscans and 9 Diocesan Priests who evangelised 23 inhabitants of the island. At the instance of Viceroy Francisco de Almeida, the first Latin Rite Catholic Church, dedicated to Our Lady of Brotas (named after the sweet water spring – in Portuguese Brotas means a spring) was built in 1506. About 200 families were living on the island during this time. Interestingly the seed of Christian faith was sowed on this island even before the birth of St. Francis Xavier, who came to Goa in the year 1542. In the 16th Century, the Pope consecrated the Mother Church on the Angediva island by a special decree at the request of the Jesuits. The insignia of the decree can still be seen on the walls of the Church.

In 1682 Dom Francisco de Tavora Conde de Alvor reconstructed the Angediva Church in place of the old one. However the present Church building was built in 1729. After the liberation of Goa in 1961, the Church on the island was looted of its belongings including the bell. Fr. Bruno Fernandes, took the initiative and with the involvement of the Parishioners made certain repairs and painting and for the first time celebrated the feast on the island on 2.2.1983. Since then there was some activity on this island. Later on Fr. Kurian Therady, made great sacrifices to repair the Church as also the Chapel of St. Francis of Assisi. The present Parish Priest of St.Anne’s Church, Binaga continues the tradition started by Fr. Bruno Fernandes. Now the island is under the control of Naval authorities of the Govt. of India for the establishment of the prestigious Sea Bird Naval Base Project.


Initially the Church of St. Anne at Binaga was built in 1846 and was placed under the jurisdiction of Ankola. Later on it was rebuilt in 1897 and brought under the jurisdiction of Our Lady of Brotas Church, Angediva till about 1919. As per the baptismal records available in Binaga Church (from 1888), Fr. Antonio Joao de Andrade was the first resident Priest at Binaga. St. Anne’s was declared as a full-fledged Church in 1919 with Fr. Matheus Falcao as the Parish Priest.

The Binaga Church building being old and small, the need for a new Church was felt. The present Church, newly constructed, is the brain-child of Fr. Alfie D’Silva, in respect of its attractive design and the concept enshrined within its four walls. It was inaugurated and blessed on 11th May 2000. The Stations of the Cross with life-sized statues placed in the entire Church compound, as also the beautiful grotto in front of the Church give added impact to the palm tree landscape of the Church. This beautiful Church is already a landmark in the Coastal belt of Uttara Kannada, a place of pilgrimage and a tourist spot, a spot all must visit. Many vocations to the Priesthood and Religious life speak of the strong faith and moral fabric of the Parish. The Church at Binaga reminds of the rich tradition of the past and urges us to greater heights in the future. From the records available from 1889 till today 32 Priests have served this Parish. To name Fr. Antonio Joao Andrade, Fr. Eusebio D’ Sa, Fr. Estrocio Damian Cutinho, Fr. Santana Gabriel Braganza, Fr. Caitano Paul Mascarenhas, Fr. Paulo da Rosario Fernandes, Fr. Duarto Baretto, Fr. Santana Lawrenzo Pereira, Fr. Aniceto Nazareth, Fr. Minguel B. Pereira, Fr. Mathew Falcao, Fr. Caitano Ceceiro, Fr. Clement Caeiro, Fr. Natvidade D’ Souza, Fr. Joao Gratias, Fr. J.B. D Silva, Fr. Cyriac Mascarenhas, Fr. A.J. Saldanha, Fr. Alfred Roche OFM Cap, Fr. Ben Britto, OFM cap, Fr. Kurian Therady, Fr. Bruno Fernandes, Fr. Alphy D Silva, Fr. Britto D Silva, Fr. Antony Lopes, Fr. Francis Fernandes, Fr. Pascal Rodrigues, Fr. Bosteao Nazareth. Fr. Victor Dias is the present Parish Priest.

Our Former Priests
  • St. Anne’s Church BINAGA - 581 307
  • Mass Timings

St. Francis Xavier Church, Amdalli

St. Francis Xavier ChurchAmadalli

A Brief History of the Church

The Mission unit of St. Francis Xavier, Amadalli had long been the sub-station of Ankola Parish and looked after by the Priest from there. It was raised to an independent Mission unit in 1980 and Fr. Ambrose Fernandes was appointed the first Priest-in-charge. There are about 85 families in this Mission unit, which is a close-knit Community. Lively in the participation of the liturgy and ever ready to be of service, the people of the Mission unit of Amadalli have given many a Priest areal satisfaction. The Priest-in-charge at Amadalli also looks after the sub-station of Aversa where exists a Chapel dedicated to St. Anthony. There are eleven Catholic families in the Aversa area.
After Fr. Ambrose, Fr. Bruno Fernandes has served this Parish from 1983-1988. The new Church at Amadalli saw the light of day when Fr. Gregory Almeida was the Priest-in charge. The Church was inaugurated on 05.05.1993. He was followed by Fr. Marcus Tauro, Fr. Valerian D’Souza, Fr. Navil D Souza, Fr. Bosco Rebeiro, Fr Britto D Silva built a new presbytery. Presently Fr. Lawrence D Souza is the Parish Priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1980 – 1983
FR. AMBROSE FERNANDES
02
1983 – 1989
FR.BRUNO FERNNADES
03
1989 – 1994
FR. GREGORY D’ALMEIDA
04
1994 – 2001
FR. MARCUS TAURO
05
–
FR. NEVIL D’SOUZA
06
2001 – 2009
FR. VALERIAN D’SOUZA
07
2007 – 2009
FR. BRUNO FERNANDES
08
2009 – 2013
FR. BOSCO RIBEIRO
09
2013 – 2019
FR. BRITTO D’SILVA
10
2019 – 2025
FR. LAWRENCE D’SOUZA
11
2025 – Onwards
Rev. Fr. Peter Carneiro
  • St. Francis Xavier Church AMDALLI 581 324
  • Mass Timings

Immaculate Conception Church, Sunkeri

Immaculate Conception Church Sunkeri

A Brief History of the Church

As our Diocese and our beloved Bishop celebrated the Silver Jubilee, the Parish of Sunkeri can recall to memory and take pride in the fact that on 4th April 1717 the then pastor, Fr. John Baptist Mary was ordained a Bishop in Sunkeri. Of course there was just a hut at that time and the first Church was built only in 1721. As is known in history, Sunkeri became the refuge of the Carmelite Missionaries who had fled from Goa having incurred the displeasure of the Portuguese Government. They fled to Bijapur and from there in 1709, the Carmelite Mission under the aegis of its Vice-Provincial, Fr. John Baptist Mary came to Sunkeri. The English at Sunkeri welcomed them and also donated a piece of land in the factory premises on which was built a house and Church. In 1761 the old Church was pulled down and a new Church was built. But in 1763 the entire area was taken over by Hyder Ali and during his reign in 1784 the Sunkeri Church was destroyed and the Christians fled from Sunkeri.
After the death of Tipu Sultan, Fr. Francis Xavier of St. Anne was sent in 1799 to revive the Sunkeri Mission. But he could reach there via Mallapur only on 13th April 1801. He was a zealous Pastor. He not only rebuilt the Church in 1803 but also ministered unto his flock assiduously till 1831. No wonder his shepherding qualities were recognized and he was transferred to Malabar as Vicar Apostolic and made Archbishop in 1840. Other than Bishop Francis Xavier, stalwarts like Fr. Innocentius of St. Leopold of Germany (his brother, Lord Kollinitz was Cardinal and Archbishop of Vienna), Fr. Innocentius of Presentation (also from Germany, who retired as Vicar Apostolic of Malabar and died in Sunkeri) have shepherded the flock at Sunkeri. The graveyard of Sunkeri Church is a veritable resting place to these and other pioneers of the Sunkeri Mission.
The Church that Bishop Francis Xavier built stood the test of time for almost two centuries till it was felt that it was no longer safe. The new Church of the Immaculate Conception is built in the same place as the previous Church in the original octagonal shape. It was consecrated on 9th May 1997 during the stewardship of Fr. Victor Crasta. The new Sunkeri Parish has two sub-stations: Kadwad and Kinner, the village of Baad having been separated and raised into a new Parish. Fr. Benedict Quadros, Fr. Victor Crasta, Fr. Francis Miranda, Fr Lawrence D Souza, Msgr. Simon Tellis, Fr. Thomas Fernandes, Fr. Joseph D Souza, have served the people. Fr. Holeston D souza is the current Parish Priest.

Our Former Priests
  • Our Lady of Immaculate Conception SUNKERI Karwar – 581 305 Uttar Kannada District
  • 08382-226451
  • Mass Timings

St. Joseph’s Church, Sadashivgad

St. Joseph's ChurchSadashivgad

A Brief History of the Church

Across the river Kali, on the road to Belgaum, rises high the façade of St. Joseph’s Church, Sadashivgad. Historically, though the Angadi (Shiweshwar) Church claimed importance in the 18th century, the Mission of Shiveshwar itself was transferred to Sadhasivgad in 1824, when the Church at Shiweshwar was demolished and a church was built at Sadashivgad. The church was dedicated to St. Joseph. The present church is said to have been commissioned to be constructed in 1909 and was inaugurated on 29th January 1912.

In the good old days, before the construction of the bridge across the Kali River, St. Joseph’s Church served as a pleasant overnight resting place to patriarchs, bishops, and other dignitaries from Goa before they crossed over to the other side of the Kali River on their visit to Kanara and further. In fact, Archbishop Galdinho, who built the first church in 1824, is said to have resided here from the year 1821 to 1824. Of recent memory is the visit of Cardinal Lourdusamy on his way to ordain the first Bishop of Karwar, Rt. Rev. Dr. William L. D’Mello. 

The Parish was privileged to have the honor of the Parish Priest, Msgr. Manuel Alvares, being nominated as the first Vicar General of the new Diocese of Karwar. Thereafter Fr. Samson S. Carvalho, Fr. Johnny Fernandes, Fr. Thomas Tavora, Fr. C. Almeida, Fr. Chrysostom Rodrigues, Fr. Felix Lobo, Fr. Jerome Baretto, Fr. Anacletus D. Mello, Fr. John Fernandes, and Fr. William Resquina have served as parish priests at Sadashivgad. Fr. Felix Lobo supervised the construction of the New Presbytery, which was inaugurated at the hands of our bishop on 6.3.2000, and Fr. John Fernandes supervised the construction of the new church building, which was inaugurated by Bishop Derek Fernandes. Presently Fr. Richard Rodrigues is the parish priest.

Our Former Priests

No
Year
Name of the Priests
01
1877 – 1896
Fr.Jose Philip Montheiro
02
1896 – 1898
Fr.Manuel Jose D’Souza
03
1898 – 1903
Fr.Simplerius Dais
04
1903 – 1908
Fr.Manuel Salvador D’Souza
05
1908 – 1913
Fr.Miguel Francico Lobo
06
1913 – 1931
Fr.Durante Valeriano Baretto
07
1931 – 1937
Fr.Jose Maria Andrade
08
1937 – 1945
Fr.Alfred Fernandes
09
1945 – 1954
Fr.Luis D’Souza
10
1945 – 1954
Fr.C.Mascarenhas
11
1945 – 1954
Fr.R.Miranda
12
1954 – 1961
Fr.Bragansa
13
1961 – 1973
Fr.Claude Castello
14
1973 – 1978
Fr.M.Alvares
15
1978 – 1983
Fr.S.Carvalho
16
–
Fr.Peter Machado
17
–
Fr. Jerome D’Souza
18
1983 – 1986
Fr.T.Tavora
19
1986 – 1988
Fr.Johnny Fernandes
20
1988 – 1991
Fr.C.Almeida
21
1991 – 1996
Fr.Chrysostom Rodrigues
22
–
Fr.Faustin Furtado
23
–
Fr. Natvidad Rodrugues
24
1996 – 2000
Fr.Felix Lobo
25
2000 – 2004
Fr.Jerome Baretto
26
2004 – 2010
Fr.Anecletus D’Mello
27
–
Fr.Bruno Fernandes
28
2010 – 2017
Fr. John Fernandes
29
–
Fr. Ronald D’Souza
30
–
Fr. Stany Pinto
31
2017 – 2025
Fr. William Resquinha
32
2025 – Onwards
Rev. Fr. Richard Rodrigues
  • St. Joseph Church SADASHIVGAD – 581 352
  • Mass Timings

Our Lady of Health Church, Mallapur

Our Lady of Health ChurchMallapur

A Brief History of the Church

The Chapel of Our Lady of Health, Mallapur was a Mission unit of Our Lady of Piety Church, Halga. From 20.5.84 it was made an independent unit and Fr. Stany D’Cunha was appointed as Administrator of the Church from 20.5.84 to 13.6.88. It was the hard labour of Fr. Stany that saw the development of the Parish. Due to some misunderstandings the Mallapur Mission unit was vacant for some time and the Church was closed down.
After one and half years, the Redemptorist Fathers preached a Mission to prepare the hearts and minds of the people so that the Priests could once again serve the Mission unit. Meanwhile, Deacons Philip Roque D’Souza, Lancy Rodrigues and Philip Lopez served in the Mission unit till Fr. Balajoji K. was appointed Priest-in-charge from 22.01.90. After Fr. Balajoji, Fr. Philip Roque was appointed on 4-6-94 to serve the Parish along with Devalmakki as a sub-station, in 1996 Kadra and Gotegalli were also added as the sub-stations. Fr. Anthony Lopez, Fr. Alphie D Silva, Fr. Pascal Rodrigues, have served the parish. Fr.Benjamin D Souza is the present Parish Priest . The Kaiga Nuclear Power Project is in the vicinity of Mallapur and the Catholic employees who live in Kaiga Colony are served by this parish.

Our Former Priests
  • Our Lady of Health Church MALLAPUR – 581 400
  • Mass Timings