Rev. Fr. James Lopes
Priest in charge of Sacred Heart Church, Ambikanagar.
Sacred Heart ChurchAmbikanagar
Modern day Ambikanagar is a new town born of two forest villages, Amba and Jamga. Known for its world famous Hydro power project, Ambikanagar came into existence when the power project was being built and commissioned. As the first technicians of the power project settled in the colonies with their families, a request was made from among the Catholic families for religious services. While in 1975 Fr. J.Koimma obliged them with English Masses celebrated once a month or so, soon it was obvious that the 60 families or so would look after an independent Priest if spared by the Diocese. Thus already at the beginning of the Diocese Fr. Santosh Menezes OFM Cap. started residing at Ambikanagar in one of the colony houses, made available to him for his stay and religious services by an enthusiastic parishioner, the future Fr. Reginald Pinto, who was an Accountant in K.P.C. but resigned his job and joined the Priesthood for the Diocese of Karwar!
Through the kind generosity of the Karnataka Power Project Corporation, a piece of land on Bhagwathi road was leased out for the new Church construction at Ambikanagar. The people were active, zealous and very keen to finish the building. Ambikanagar takes the credit of being the first Church in the Diocese, foundation of which was laid by our Bishop at the inception of the new Diocese. With the support of the KPC, work on the Church and Presbytery proceeded at a fast pace with Fr. Henry D’Mello in the lead and the Church was inaugurated and blessed by our Bishop on 4th April 1981. The parish has Kegdal village occupied by Siddi people are catered from Ambikanagar parish.
Successive Priests, Fr. Patrick D’Mello, Fr. J.B.D’Silva, Fr. Denis Alvares, Fr. Theophilus Pereira, Fr. Bruno Fernandes, Fr. Lawrence Pereira, Fr. Edwin D Souza,, Fr. K Balajojji, Fr. Denis mascarenhas, Fr. Lawrence Fernandes have served the parish. Presently Fr. James Lopes is looking after the spiritual needs of the people..
