Our Lady of Refuge Church, Elathagiri

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.[1] Furthermore, the Bishop of Salem, Rev. Singaroyan, also belongs to this parish.

Adaikala Madha Church
Our Lady Of Refuge Church
புனித அடைக்கல மாதா ஆலயம்
Side View of the church
12.5511°N 78.2947°E / 12.5511; 78.2947
LocationElathagiri, Bargur, Krishnagiri, Tamil Nadu
CountryIndia
DenominationCatholic
Religious instituteJesuit
History
StatusParish church
Founded1863
Founder(s)Fr. Welter Dolasbore and Fr. Ormond MEP
Cult(s) presentCatholic devotions
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Architectural typeChurch
StyleMedieval
Groundbreaking1904
Completed1922
Administration
DistrictKrishnagiri
ArchdiocesePondicherry and Cuddalore
DioceseDharmapuri
Episcopal areaTNBC
DeaneryKrishnagiri
ParishElathagiri
Clergy
ArchbishopFrancis Kalist
Bishop(s)Lawrence Pius Dorairaj
Priest(s)Fr.A. Soosairaj

History

The Jesuit missionaries preached in Kaveripatinam, Agaram-Barur, Maruderi, Uthankarai-Kanampatti, Maliampatti, Nellimarathupatti, Krishnagiri-Vennampalli, Mottur, and Anganamalai, which led to many people converting to the Catholics. After the decline of Tipu Sultan in this region, Paris missionaries invited Catholics to settle from the above-mentioned village to Elathagiri. In 1782, Micheal Nayagam from Melvidhi-Maliampatti, which is near Uthankarai, was the first family to settle in this village according to Rev. Fr. Debian's record.[2] In 1784, Thottam Chinnappan family from Nellimarathupatti settled in this village, according to the book Saruthira Surukkam,[3] written by Salem diocesan priests. Before 1827, settlements were made from Ennampalli, Mottur, Kollapatti (near Vennampalli), Kaanampatti, and Maliampatti. In the book Saruthira Surukkam, many migrations are mentioned between 1780 and 1830. In 1859, Kovilur, Thirupattur became a parish after separation from Kovilur, Dharmapuri Parish. After that, Chapels in Elathagiri, Krishnagiri, and Krishnakuppam became sub-stations of Kovilur, Thirupattur Parish.

In 1863, a church was built in the name of Our Lady of Refuge. In 1897, Elathagiri-Kadagathur became a deanery. Famous Pondicherry Missionary Architecture Rev Fr. Welter Dholsburg MEP started the foundation process for this church on 14-11-1900. But the church construction completed on 1922. During the time of Rev. Fr. Urmont MEP, the church tower was raised and completed between 1949 and 1951.

Disease in Elathagiri

In 1904, Cholera started spreading across India during the time Elathagiri was also affected. Infected people went to the rock next to the village and started praying; after the prayers, they were cured. A chapel was built on the rock later, which evolved into a church, known as Paara Kovil by the locals. Every year Paara Koil celebrations are held, which are popular throughout the diocese.

Education

An elementary school was founded in 1923 in the old church building as St. Guardian Angel School. In 1947, it was renamed as St. Antony's Middle School, in 1957 it became a high school, and in 1980 it became a higher secondary school.

Headmaster Rev. Fr. Joseph started a home for boys in the name of Saint Joseph in 1957. Later during the reign of Rev. Fr. Ignatius, a hostel was built in the name of Saint Aloysius.

Convents

On 19 March 1904, Pondicherry FIHM sisters settled in Elathagiri in a house and began their missionary service. Later, in 1906, a convent building was constructed and they moved into the convent.

FSM sisters started their service in Elathagiri in 1953 at the request of Rev. Fr. Joshua, in 1954 they built a hospital and started the service and in 1957 they opened a girl's hostel.

By 1998, the FSAG Sisters (Franciscan Sisters of St. Aloysius Gonzaga) had established a convent in their neighboring village, Kathanpallam. In 2009, they established Gonzaga Arts and Science College for Women.

List Parish Priest

Served YearParish Priest
1901-1928Rev. Fr. S. Dominic
1928-1930Rev. Fr. M. Dominic
1930-1932Rev. Fr. Martin MEP
1932-1934Rev. Fr. Buliyard MEP
1934-1935Rev. Fr. Haro MEP
1936-1940Rev. Fr. Leo Debini MEP
1940-1942Rev. Fr. Mersiyar MEP
1942-1949Rev. Fr. Zecharias
1949-1951Rev. Fr. Harment
1951-1958Rev. Fr. Joshua
1958-1960Rev. Fr. T.S. Joshua
1960-1961Rev. Fr. M.S. Joseph
1961-1962Rev. Fr. D. Arul
1962-1964Rev. Fr. Mathew Godwill
1964-1972Rev. Fr. Ignatius Kalathil
1972-1980Rev. Fr. K.P. Suvukin
1981-1982Rev. Fr. Arul Sundaram
1982-1986Rev. Fr. A. Sebastian
1986-1987Rev. Fr. S. Pushpanathan
1987-1988Rev. Fr. M. Jegaraj
1988-1992Rev. Fr. D.M. Savarimuthu
1992-1994Rev. Fr. S. Amalaraj
1994-1998Rev. Fr. M. Arulsami
1998-1999Rev. Fr. M. Jegaraj
1999-2004Rev. Fr. M. Anthonisamy
2004-2005Rev. Fr. S. Mariya Joseph
2005-2008Rev. Fr. S. Hendry George
2008-2013Rev. Fr. A. Susairaj
2013-2014Rev. Fr. K. Mariya Joseph
2014-2017Rev. Fr. J. Arokiyasamy
2017 - PreRev. Fr. C. Micheal Andrews

Sub Station Church

See also

References

  1. History of Dharamapuri Diocese - Fr. A. Susairaj
  2. History of Elathagiri - By Rev. Fr. Leo Debian
  3. Saruthira Surukkam by salem Diocese
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