Sacred Heart Cathedral, Dharmapuri

Last updated
Sacred Heart Cathedral
Sacred Heart Church
திரு இருதய ஆண்டவர் பேராலயம்
The Sacred Heart Church - Dharmapuri.jpg
Side View of this church
Sacred Heart Cathedral, Dharmapuri
12°08′10″N78°09′51″E / 12.1361°N 78.1642°E / 12.1361; 78.1642
Location Dharmapuri, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu
Country India
Denomination Catholic
Religious institute Jesuit
History
Status Cathedral
Founded1906
Founder(s)Fr. P.A. Zacharias
Dedication Jesus
Cult(s) present Latin Rite
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural type Cathedral
Style Modern Architecture
Groundbreaking 1972
Completed1976
Administration
Archdiocese Pondicherry and Cuddalore
Diocese Dharmapuri
Episcopal area TNBC
Deanery Dharmapuri
Parish Dharmapuri
Clergy
Archbishop Antony Anandarayar
Bishop(s) Lawrence Pius Dorairaj
Priest(s) Fr.

The Sacred Heart Cathedral is a Roman Catholic parish church located in the heart of Dharmapuri town, Tamil Nadu, India. Currently, a new and larger Sacred Heart Cathedral is under construction on Annasagaram Lake Road, Dharmapuri. This cathedral comes under the administration of the Dhramapuri Diocese. [1]

Contents

History

The history of the Dharmapuri Church dates back to the 17th century when Jesuit priests from the Mysore mission began their missionary work in the region. In 1656, Fr. Semau Martin visited Dharmapuri and encountered three Catholics in the area. Then in 1661, Leonard Senomi, a Mysore missionary, also visited Dharmapuri mentioned with the help of Solapatti preacher some people convert to Catholicism. A chapel dedicated to St. Joseph was built in Dharmapuri during that time. [2]

Fr. Joseph Muchiralini resided in Dharmapuri and took care of the missionary activities in the nearby villages. In 1674, St. John de Britto stayed in Dharmapuri for two days while transferring to Kolei (Kottagaipatti). According to the Mysore missionary book, Koonur, Dharmapuri, and Kapiganati were residential places for Jesuit priests in 1674. However, during the Maratha invasion in 1682, the Dharmapuri Church was destroyed, and the priests moved to Kovilur. After that, there is limited information available about the Catholic presence in Dharmapuri. [3]

In the 20th century, the Catholic population in Dharmapuri increased with the establishment of the railway service between Morappur and Dharmapuri in 1906. Some Catholic railway engineers and workers, including Anglo-Indians, resided in Dharmapuri during this time. In 1918, Fr. Danish, a priest from Kadagathur, built a small church in Dharmapuri. When the Salem Diocese was created in 1930, Kadagathur became the Parish Church, and Dharmapuri church became its substation church. According to the Kadagathur church record in 1930, there were 25 families and 119 members in Dharmapuri. In 1940, the Dharmapuri Church underwent repairs as recorded in the Kadagathur Parish Record. However, the railway service between Morappur and Dharmapuri was stopped in 1945, leading to job losses and the departure of many Catholic families from Dharmapuri. [4]

Present Church

In 1958, Fr. P.A. Zacharias, the parish priest of Kadagathur, acquired land near Netaji Road in Dharmapuri. In 1962, Fr. TC Joseph built a Parish house on that land. In 1965, Dharmapuri became the district capital, and in 1968, it this church became a Parish. Fr. Thomas Kuruvila became the first parish priest of Dharmapuri. The construction of the present Sacred Heart Church began in 1972 under the leadership of Fr. Kuruvila and was completed in 1976 by Fr. Isaac (Jr.). In 1982, the Dharmapuri Social Service Society (DSSS), an NGO founded by Jesuit fathers, started its work in Dharmapuri, providing support to many underprivileged people. [5]

In 1997, Dharmapuri became a separate diocese from the Salem Diocese, and the Sacred Heart Church became the Cathedral for the Dharmapuri Diocese. In 2000, a parish house was built next to the church.The Dharmapuri Parish has several substation churches, including Sesurajapuram, Biligundlu, Oottamalai (Hogenakkal), Linganayakanahalli (Morappur), Nellimarathupatti. Then in 1979 Sesurajapuram become Parish church from Dharmapuri. Later in 2009 Nellimarathupathi carved out from Dharmapuri parish is become a new Parish church. During the tenure of Fr. Maria Soosai brought a land in Savalupatti and converted that as a residential area called St. Mary's Nagar with in this area a church was built in 2010 in the name of Annai Velankanni. Now this became sub station church of Dharmapuri Parish.

Education

In terms of education services, the SMMI sisters acquired land in Vimalapuri on Thokkampatti Road in 1996 and established a convent. [6] They started Amala Primary School near the Sacred Heart Church in 1971, which later moved behind the Government Medical College. In 1968, the SMMI sisters also started Amala English Medium Primary School, which became a high school in 1998 and a higher secondary school in 2008. [7]

In response to a request from Bishop Joseph Antony Irudayaraj in 2005, [[Salesians of Don Bosco|Salesian] Fathers came to Dharmapuri and took charge of Don Bosco School in 2004. They also established Don Bosco Arts and Science College in 2007 and Don Bosco Teacher Training Institute in 2008. These educational institutions contribute to the development and growth of Dharmapuri and surrounding villages. [8]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Vellore</span> Roman Catholic diocese in Tamil Nadu, India

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Vellore is a diocese located in the city of Vellore in the Ecclesiastical province of Madras and Mylapore in India.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Dharmapuri is a diocese located in the city of Dharmapuri in the Ecclesiastical province of Pondicherry and Cuddalore in India. This Diocese administrate the political region of Dharmapuri district and Krishnagiri district.

V. Balan, popularly known as Artist V. Balan, was a sculptor and painter from India. He was born the son of Chellamma and Venketachelam Pillai in the small temple town of Perumbavoor, Kerala. In 1962 he earned a Diploma from the Cochin School of Art. Immediately after his studies, he started teaching at the same school. In 1970 he moved to Chennai as a freelance artist.

Joseph Anthony Irudayaraj SDB, is the former and the first bishop of Roman Catholic Diocese of Dharmapuri.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Lady of Refuge Church, Elathagiri</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

Our Lady of Refuge Church, known locally as Adaikala Madha Church, is a 100-year-old church located in Elathagiri village, Tamil Nadu, India. It is the first parish church in Krishnagiri district. Every year Paara Koil celebrations are held which are popular throughout the diocese. This church has contributed a lot to the Catholic society by providing people to holy service. As many as twenty-five priests and more than a hundred sisters have been given by Elathagiri parishes. Furthermore, the Bishop of Salem, Rev. Singaroyan, also belongs to this parish.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Francis Xavier Church, Kovilur</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

The Saint Francis Xavier Church in Kovilur, Dharamapuri is the oldest parish church in the diocese. It is called the mother church and the first Parish in the entire diocese. This church has been in service over 100 years, but over 300 years catholic and priests where present in this village. Now this church is serving under the Dharamapuri Diocese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Queen of Angels Church, Kadagathur</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

Queen of Angels Church or St. Mary's Church is located in Kadagathur village, Dharamapuri District, Tamil Nadu, India. Due to Catholic settlements in 19th century this is second oldest church in its Dharmapuri Diocese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Francis Xavier Church, Kethanahalli</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

Saint Francis Xavier Church is a parish church for catholic devotees around Kethanahalli Village in Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu, India. This church servers under administration of Dharmapuri Diocese

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, B Pallipatti</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church is catholic parish church in B. Pallipatti village near Bommidi in Dharmapuri district in Tamil Nadu, India. This parish is famous for its Jesus life story open theater drama Maasattra Ratham performed every second Friday after Easter. Also this is one of the oldest parish in Dharamapuri Diocese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacred Heart Church, Madagondapalli</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

Sacred Heart Church, Madagondapall, is one of the earliest Catholic churches within the Dharmapuri Diocese, boasting a 140-year legacy. For over 93 years, it has served as a parish church, offering a sacred space for Catholics to gather in worship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, Thenkaraikottai</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in Thenkaraikottai, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This is comes under the administration of Dharmapuri Diocise.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacred Heart Church, Harur</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

Sacred Heart Church, is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Harur in district of Dharamapuri which in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This church is also one of the Vicariate church of Dharmapuri Diocese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. John de Britto Church, Sesurajapuram</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

The John De Britto Church in Sesurajapuram is a renowned Roman Catholic parish church located in Krishnagiri District, Tamil Nadu, India. It falls under the administration of the Dharmapuri Diocese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sacred Heart Church, Kelamangalam</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

The Sacred Heart Church in Kelamangalam is Roman Catholic Church situated in the Krishnagiri district of Tamil Nadu, India. In the 17th century, many Catholics and priests settled in this village for their missionary activities, making it one of the origin places for Catholic Christians in its Diocese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christ the King Church, Palacode</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

Jesus the King Church in Palacode is a Roman Catholic place of worship located in the Dharmapuri district of Tamil Nadu, India. It is a Catholic church parish under the administration of the Dharmapuri Diocese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">St. Antony's Church, Bommidi</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

St. Antony's Church is a Roman Catholic church situated in Bommidi, Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu, India. This church holds great prominence among the Christians, leading to its elevation as a Shrine by the Dharmapuri Diocese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Rayakottai</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

Our Lady of Lourdes Church is a Roman Catholic parish church located in Rayakottai, Krishnagiri district, Tamil Nadu, India. It falls under the administration of the Dharmapuri Diocese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Visuvasampatti</span> Roman Catholic Church in Tamil Nadu, India

Our Lady of Lourdes Church is a Roman Catholic parish church in Visuvasampatti village in Krishnagiri district, in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This is comes under the administration of Dharmapuri Diocese.

Infant Jesus Church is a Roman Catholic church situated in Selliampatti village, located on the Dharmapuri Palacode highway in the Dharmapuri district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This church is a newly established parish, separate from the Kadagathur parish, primarily serving the Catholic communities of Selliampatti and Gollapatti as its two main substations. The administration of this church falls under the jurisdiction of the Dharmapuri Diocese.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Our Lady of Good Health Church, Mathigiri</span> Church in Tamil Nadu, India

The Our Lady of Good Health Church is a Roman Catholic church situated in Mathigiri, a suburban area adjacent to Hosur, Tamil Nadu, India. According to Catholic Missionary records, Mathigiri holds a rich historical significance due to the presence of M.E.P Fathers who established settlements in the early 19th century. This is considered to be the mother parish church of Hosur and Denkanikottai belt. Now this servers under the jurisdiction of Dharmapuri Diocese.

References

  1. ↑ https://dharmapuridiocese.org/parishes/lists.html
  2. ↑ The Jesuits in Mysore. Printed at Xavier Press. 1955. p. 89.
  3. ↑ History of Salem Diocese. Salem,India: Salem Press. 1970. p. 86.
  4. ↑ Staff writer(s). Salem Mettasanam Saritha Surukkam. Salem, India: Salem Diocese. p. 156.
  5. ↑ https://www.searchdonation.com/ngo/dharmapuri-social-service-society.php
  6. ↑ https://www.smmisalem.org/genesis-of-20-convents-in-salem-province.php?type=smmi-convent-dharmapuri-1965
  7. ↑ https://www.smmisalem.org/genesis-of-20-convents-in-salem-province.php?type=amala-convent-vimalapuri-1974
  8. ↑ https://www.donboscoindia.com/english/bis/default_ms.php?newsid=4028
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.