Our Lady of Lourdes Church
Sundaranachiyapuram, Rajapalayam Tk, Virudhunagar Dt. - 626 142.
During his stay at W. Pudupatti, Rev. Fr. John Baptist Trincal sj., protected the people of Sundaranatchiyarpuram from caste based oppressions of Zamindar of Seittur in 1888. He stood on behalf of the people, filed a case and won it. Due to this incident they were baptized and converted into Christianity. He got 43 acres of palm field from the government and gave it to the people to lead a life of self honour. In 1889 the church was built dedicated to our Lady of Lourdes. The present church was completed by Rev. Fr. Thalen SJ., and Rev. Fr. Jeganathan, SJ in 1902.
In 1910, Sundaranatchiyarpuram was separated from Srivilliputhur parish and Rev. Fr. Moraiar was appointed as the first parish priest. Priest’s residence was constructed by him. In 1911, St. Joseph school was established. In 1934 the administration was given to Sacred Heart Brothers. In 1936 Rev. Fr. O' Samy invited Madurai CIC sisters to serve the people. Accepting his invitation the sisters stayed at the convent and willingly served the people. St. Teresa School was started in 1937. Krishthurajapuram parish was separated from Sundaranatchiyarpuram (Diocese of Palayamkottai) in 1958. Rev. Fr. Joseph Victor donated R. C. mission’s land for the people to live. When Rev. Fr. Silverius(1967-1976) found that the famlily of Raju has encroached 23 acres of land, so he files a case and succeeded. To show their gratitude, the people named the “Co operative farm” in his name.
In 1980 Rev. Fr. Arulappan built churches at Mangudi, Pudhur, Arul pudhur and Nakkaneri. Also he renovated the Mugavur Church. In 1983 there was a conflict between the hindus of Krishnapuram and Christians of Sundaranatchiyarpuram due to RSS group. Former parish priest Rev. Fr. Arul Rayan brought the conflict to an end and made peace.
In 1986 Rev. Fr. Cyprian built the crusadi of Annai Velankanni in the Bus Stop. In 1989 Rev. Fr. Lawrence Xavier celebrated the centenary function of parish church. In 1990 there was another conflict between the people of Sundaranatchiyarpuram and Sundararajapuram. He tried hard to keep full stop to the conflict and bring peace, he approached the government to establish a police Station. His efforts actualised in establishing police station. In 1990, Duraisamiapuram was separated from Sundaranatchiyarpuram. Also in 1992 Maangudi Meenatchiapuram parish was created. When Fr.S. Jeyaraj was the parish priest, he constructed ground floor of Devadhanam school. With the cooperation of Sathangai, he enacted biblical thematic dramas in all the villages of the parish.
Rev. Fr. Jeganathan brought about the new evangelization ministry in 1997. He encouraged the laity in their evangelical ministry. He performed various developmental works such as renovation of the church in Sokkanathanpudhur, built new church in Kovilur. He saved the encroached lands of Sethur, Mugavur and built a compound wall. He also built a new building at Devadhaanam. he organised full night vigil prayer every month for renewal of spirituality of the people. He took much initiative to buy a piece of land for St. Joseph's middle school with the cooperation of teachers.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Antony celebrated centenary function in 2010, during that period he renovated the parish church, he beautified the altar and front portion of the church. In order to build a new parish he bought 63 cents of land with the help of the diocese. He also begin the centenary celebration of the church at Chokkanathanputhur by beginning of the construction of belfry and extension.
In 2011 Rev. Fr. Jai joseph completed centenary function at Infant Jesus Church at Chokkanathanpudhur. In the memory of the celebration he finished the works of a belfry and the extension of the church. He also renovated the Immaculate Conception church at Devadhaanam. He built a memorial arch in St. Tresa Primary School during the Platinum jubilee celebration. A new school building is constructed at the St. Joseph school which has seen its 100 years of academics.
The following are the substations included, such as Immaculate Conception Church – Devadhaanam, Infant Jesus Church – Sokknathanpudhur, St. Joseph’s Church – Kovilur, St. Gnana Prakasiyar Church – Sethur , Our Lady of Lourdes Church – Mugavur, St. Ignacious Church – Nakkaneri, St. Paul’s church – Kollankondan.
This parish consists of one middle school and three primary schools. Also in this parish there are 1290 catholic families. Among these people there are farmers, tailors, teachers, mill laborers and masons who work at different levels. There are so many activities such as Anbiyam, YCS, Youth Movement, Vincent de paul, Altar boys movement and Choir are happening for the development of this parish.
Succession of Parish Priest…
Fr. Morier sj (1910-1919), Fr. O' Samy sj(1936-41), Fr. Durai Raj(1941-46), Fr. Robert Ponnaiah(1946-55), Fr. R.S. Peter(1955-57), Fr. Sebastian(1957-58), Fr. J. Victor(1958-67), Fr. Silverius,sj(1967-76), Fr. Arul Rayan(1976-80), Fr. Arulappan(1980-85), Fr. Cyprian(1986-88), Fr. Lawrence Xavier(1988-93), Fr. S. Jeyaraj(1993-99), Fr. S. Jeganathan(1999-2005), Fr. Jesu Nazarane(2005-06), Fr. Joseph Antony(2006-11), Fr. I. Daniel Jai Joseph(2 011 onwards).
Sundaranachiyapuram, Rajapalayam Tk, Virudhunagar Dt. - 626 142.
During his stay at W. Pudupatti, Rev. Fr. John Baptist Trincal sj., protected the people of Sundaranatchiyarpuram from caste based oppressions of Zamindar of Seittur in 1888. He stood on behalf of the people, filed a case and won it. Due to this incident they were baptized and converted into Christianity. He got 43 acres of palm field from the government and gave it to the people to lead a life of self honour. In 1889 the church was built dedicated to our Lady of Lourdes. The present church was completed by Rev. Fr. Thalen SJ., and Rev. Fr. Jeganathan, SJ in 1902.
In 1910, Sundaranatchiyarpuram was separated from Srivilliputhur parish and Rev. Fr. Moraiar was appointed as the first parish priest. Priest’s residence was constructed by him. In 1911, St. Joseph school was established. In 1934 the administration was given to Sacred Heart Brothers. In 1936 Rev. Fr. O' Samy invited Madurai CIC sisters to serve the people. Accepting his invitation the sisters stayed at the convent and willingly served the people. St. Teresa School was started in 1937. Krishthurajapuram parish was separated from Sundaranatchiyarpuram (Diocese of Palayamkottai) in 1958. Rev. Fr. Joseph Victor donated R. C. mission’s land for the people to live. When Rev. Fr. Silverius(1967-1976) found that the famlily of Raju has encroached 23 acres of land, so he files a case and succeeded. To show their gratitude, the people named the “Co operative farm” in his name.
In 1980 Rev. Fr. Arulappan built churches at Mangudi, Pudhur, Arul pudhur and Nakkaneri. Also he renovated the Mugavur Church. In 1983 there was a conflict between the hindus of Krishnapuram and Christians of Sundaranatchiyarpuram due to RSS group. Former parish priest Rev. Fr. Arul Rayan brought the conflict to an end and made peace.
In 1986 Rev. Fr. Cyprian built the crusadi of Annai Velankanni in the Bus Stop. In 1989 Rev. Fr. Lawrence Xavier celebrated the centenary function of parish church. In 1990 there was another conflict between the people of Sundaranatchiyarpuram and Sundararajapuram. He tried hard to keep full stop to the conflict and bring peace, he approached the government to establish a police Station. His efforts actualised in establishing police station. In 1990, Duraisamiapuram was separated from Sundaranatchiyarpuram. Also in 1992 Maangudi Meenatchiapuram parish was created. When Fr.S. Jeyaraj was the parish priest, he constructed ground floor of Devadhanam school. With the cooperation of Sathangai, he enacted biblical thematic dramas in all the villages of the parish.
Rev. Fr. Jeganathan brought about the new evangelization ministry in 1997. He encouraged the laity in their evangelical ministry. He performed various developmental works such as renovation of the church in Sokkanathanpudhur, built new church in Kovilur. He saved the encroached lands of Sethur, Mugavur and built a compound wall. He also built a new building at Devadhaanam. he organised full night vigil prayer every month for renewal of spirituality of the people. He took much initiative to buy a piece of land for St. Joseph's middle school with the cooperation of teachers.
Rev. Fr. Joseph Antony celebrated centenary function in 2010, during that period he renovated the parish church, he beautified the altar and front portion of the church. In order to build a new parish he bought 63 cents of land with the help of the diocese. He also begin the centenary celebration of the church at Chokkanathanputhur by beginning of the construction of belfry and extension.
In 2011 Rev. Fr. Jai joseph completed centenary function at Infant Jesus Church at Chokkanathanpudhur. In the memory of the celebration he finished the works of a belfry and the extension of the church. He also renovated the Immaculate Conception church at Devadhaanam. He built a memorial arch in St. Tresa Primary School during the Platinum jubilee celebration. A new school building is constructed at the St. Joseph school which has seen its 100 years of academics.
The following are the substations included, such as Immaculate Conception Church – Devadhaanam, Infant Jesus Church – Sokknathanpudhur, St. Joseph’s Church – Kovilur, St. Gnana Prakasiyar Church – Sethur , Our Lady of Lourdes Church – Mugavur, St. Ignacious Church – Nakkaneri, St. Paul’s church – Kollankondan.
This parish consists of one middle school and three primary schools. Also in this parish there are 1290 catholic families. Among these people there are farmers, tailors, teachers, mill laborers and masons who work at different levels. There are so many activities such as Anbiyam, YCS, Youth Movement, Vincent de paul, Altar boys movement and Choir are happening for the development of this parish.
Succession of Parish Priest…
Fr. Morier sj (1910-1919), Fr. O' Samy sj(1936-41), Fr. Durai Raj(1941-46), Fr. Robert Ponnaiah(1946-55), Fr. R.S. Peter(1955-57), Fr. Sebastian(1957-58), Fr. J. Victor(1958-67), Fr. Silverius,sj(1967-76), Fr. Arul Rayan(1976-80), Fr. Arulappan(1980-85), Fr. Cyprian(1986-88), Fr. Lawrence Xavier(1988-93), Fr. S. Jeyaraj(1993-99), Fr. S. Jeganathan(1999-2005), Fr. Jesu Nazarane(2005-06), Fr. Joseph Antony(2006-11), Fr. I. Daniel Jai Joseph(2 011 onwards).