Our Lady of Grace Church
M. Meenachiapuram Via Muhaur, Virudhunagar Dt. – 626111.
Since 1890, Christians lived in this place. Mr. Ganapathy alias Gnanaprakasam was the first Catholic Christian. To spread the Christianity through education, in 1903 primary school was initiated and got its government approval in 1908. In the beginning to attend the holy mass the Catholics went to Sundaranatchiyarpuram. Later on the holy mass was celebrated at the primary school because of the increasing number of catholic families. The school was not spacious enough, so in 1982 Rev. Fr. Arulappan laid foundation and completed the church and was inaugurated in the presence of Rev. Bishop. Justine Diraviyam.
Rev. Bishop. Arockia Samy bought 5 acres of land for building new parish. He laid foundation for residence of priests in 1989 and opened it in 1992. Pudhur, Nallamangalam, Arul Pudhur, Punelveli, Kallupatti, Krishtu Rajapuram are the sub stations for Maangudi – Meenatchiyapuram parish. These were given to the congregation of the Pallotine in 1992. The first parish priest was Rev. Fr. Joseph. The continous hard work of the parish priest and with the help of Pallotine family, the parish attained its growth; new school, clock tower, Mother mary’s crusade were built. In kristhurajapuram a new church was built, where as in Nallamangalam a new school was constructed.
Rev. Fr. Britto invited the sisters of the Sisters of Charity congregation for the service of education, spirituality and medical need. They dedicated themselves in both the parish ministry as well as in school administration. He also established small clinic for the welfare of the people.
Rev. Fr. Amal Raj having the idea of permanent income for the parish he built 8 petty shops and 2 home; he renovated the church with concrete roof. During the centenary celebration, He took all efforts for R. C. Middle School to uplift its standard to high school level. A new church in Arul Pudhur and additional class rooms in Nalla mangalam were the proof of his success. The recognition of the high school was made possible by Rev. Fr. Anto Vijayan.
On the basis of their needs Rev. Fr. Louduraj developed the standard of the school to higher secondary. Apart from this the school got its recognition and also primary school building was started. There are around 400 families in the parish. The main occupations of the people are stitching and farming. Moreover, this parish is being nourished by the activities of Parish Council, Anbiams, Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Altar boys/girls and Youth group. The following are the substations of this parish St. Xavier's Church, Arulputhoor, St. Michael's Church, Nallamangalam, Amala Annai Church, Kallupatti, Sacred Heart of Jesus' Church, Puthoor and Christ the King Church, Christurajapuram.
Succession of Parish Priest…
Fr. Joseph Thirukudumbam, Fr. Antony Britto, Fr. Manuel Raj, Fr. Rock Jerald Majella, Fr. AmalRaj, Fr. Anto Vijayan, Fr. Lourduraj .
M. Meenachiapuram Via Muhaur, Virudhunagar Dt. – 626111.
Since 1890, Christians lived in this place. Mr. Ganapathy alias Gnanaprakasam was the first Catholic Christian. To spread the Christianity through education, in 1903 primary school was initiated and got its government approval in 1908. In the beginning to attend the holy mass the Catholics went to Sundaranatchiyarpuram. Later on the holy mass was celebrated at the primary school because of the increasing number of catholic families. The school was not spacious enough, so in 1982 Rev. Fr. Arulappan laid foundation and completed the church and was inaugurated in the presence of Rev. Bishop. Justine Diraviyam.
Rev. Bishop. Arockia Samy bought 5 acres of land for building new parish. He laid foundation for residence of priests in 1989 and opened it in 1992. Pudhur, Nallamangalam, Arul Pudhur, Punelveli, Kallupatti, Krishtu Rajapuram are the sub stations for Maangudi – Meenatchiyapuram parish. These were given to the congregation of the Pallotine in 1992. The first parish priest was Rev. Fr. Joseph. The continous hard work of the parish priest and with the help of Pallotine family, the parish attained its growth; new school, clock tower, Mother mary’s crusade were built. In kristhurajapuram a new church was built, where as in Nallamangalam a new school was constructed.
Rev. Fr. Britto invited the sisters of the Sisters of Charity congregation for the service of education, spirituality and medical need. They dedicated themselves in both the parish ministry as well as in school administration. He also established small clinic for the welfare of the people.
Rev. Fr. Amal Raj having the idea of permanent income for the parish he built 8 petty shops and 2 home; he renovated the church with concrete roof. During the centenary celebration, He took all efforts for R. C. Middle School to uplift its standard to high school level. A new church in Arul Pudhur and additional class rooms in Nalla mangalam were the proof of his success. The recognition of the high school was made possible by Rev. Fr. Anto Vijayan.
On the basis of their needs Rev. Fr. Louduraj developed the standard of the school to higher secondary. Apart from this the school got its recognition and also primary school building was started. There are around 400 families in the parish. The main occupations of the people are stitching and farming. Moreover, this parish is being nourished by the activities of Parish Council, Anbiams, Legion of Mary, St. Vincent de Paul Society, Altar boys/girls and Youth group. The following are the substations of this parish St. Xavier's Church, Arulputhoor, St. Michael's Church, Nallamangalam, Amala Annai Church, Kallupatti, Sacred Heart of Jesus' Church, Puthoor and Christ the King Church, Christurajapuram.
Succession of Parish Priest…
Fr. Joseph Thirukudumbam, Fr. Antony Britto, Fr. Manuel Raj, Fr. Rock Jerald Majella, Fr. AmalRaj, Fr. Anto Vijayan, Fr. Lourduraj .