Dandeli is a new town that has come into existence in the second half of the last century. Known from ages to be covered with thick and impenetrable forests, the first signs of people inhabiting the area occurred when the Indian Plywood Company began their factory in the now Old Dandeli area. Among the early settlers were some Catholic workers and officers who desired to have Catholic services and so was built in Old Dandeli, the first Chapel in 1941 of mud walls and thatched roof.
Seeing the fervour and enthusiasm of the people, Fr. A. Gracias, Parish Priest of Haliyal Church began to offer Masses for the people once in one or two months. When the West Coast Paper Mills was started in 1959 more people began to settle in Dandeli and the number of Catholics also grew. Rt. Rev. Michael Rodrigues, Bishop of Belgaum requested Fr. Apolinaris and Fr. Blasius who were residing in Haliyal to attend to the needs of Dandeli Catholics.
The Bethany Sisters opened their foundation in Dandeli in 1962 and Fr. P. J. Jacob, the Secretary to the Bishop of Belgaum was sent to offer Mass. But the real development of the Catholics began when Fr. Joseph Koima of Poona Diocese landed in Dandeli in 1962. Though a Malayalee, not knowing Konkani, he evinced keen interest in the development of the people, especially their education. Through his efforts he was able to get the land and permission for St. Michael’s English Medium School of which he was the first headmaster.
He built the old Church at Dandeli, which was demolished and rebuilt when Fr. Denis Mascarenhas was the Parish Priest. The new Church was inaugurated by our Bishop on 15th May 1988. As the Catholic population grew and new settlements increased especially in the Ambewadi area of Dandeli, bifurcation of the Parish was considered necessary. Fr. Antony Lopes, Fr. Denis Mascarenhas, Fr. John Rodrigues, Fr. Peter Machado, Fr. Ambrose fernandes, Fr. Benjamin D Souza, Fr. Ireneus Dias, Fr. Ignatius D Souza have served the Parish. Presently Fr. Felix Lobo is the Parish Priest.