Epipany Church
Kuthenkuzhi

Parish Name : Epipany Church
Address : Kuthenkuzhi – 627 104, Tirunelveli Dt.
Patron Saint : Epipany
Telephone No : 04637 - 295777

A Brief History :
According to the mission history of the Jesuits of 1558, we came to know that already there was a Church at Koothenkuzhi. When Idinthakarai was an independent parish (1730), Koothenkuzhi and Koodankulam were its substations. It is noted that in 1715 there was a Church dedicated to St. John the Baptist as well as a Church of Goa Mission dedicated to St. Joseph. Koothenkuzhi became a separate parish in 1924. The foundation stone of the present Church was laid in 1930 by Bishop Tiburtius Roche when Rev. Fr. G. Michael was the parish priest. The Church building was completed in 1966 and was blessed on the 5th January the same year. The tiled roof is changed into R.C. terrace and the Church is renovated by Rev. Fr. Clarence on, the parish priest (2006 – 2011).The renovated Church was blessed by Most. Rev.Dr.Yvon Ambroise on 11.05.2011. Besides there is a Church dedicated to St. Kitheriammal and the people of Koothenkuzhi are very much attached to this saint and also there is a Holy Cross Church and Arch angel Micheal Church. The presbytery was renovated by Rev. Fr. Kumar Raja in 1996. The parish has been entrusted to the Congregation of the Holy Cross Fathers from June 2011.

Succession of parish Priests:
1. Rev.Fr. G. Michael -1924
2. Rev.Fr. Devasahayam -
3. Rev.Fr. Augustine Fdo -
4. Rev.Fr. Ephrem -
5. Rev.Fr. Packier -
6. Rev.Fr. Christian -
7. Rev.Fr. J.X. Poobal -
8. Rev.Fr. J.M. Viagulam -
9. Rev.Fr. Peter Raja - 1967 – 1974
10. Rev.Fr. Paul Alangaram - 1974 – 1975
11. Rev.Fr. Jesu Arulappan - 1975 – 1981
12. Rev.Fr. Gnanapragasam - 1981 – 1985
13. Rev.Fr. Rubert Arulvalan - 1985 – 1987
14. Rev.Fr. Ignatius Amaladas - 1987 – 1989
15. Rev.Fr. Panneer Selvam - 1989 – 1990
16. Rev.Fr. Paul Rabinston - 1990 – 1993
17. Rev.Fr. Joseph Kumar Raja - 1993 – 1997
18. Rev.Fr. Alexander - 1997 – 1998
19. Rev.Fr. Lorenzo - 1998 – 1999
20. Rev.Fr. Starwin - 1999 – 2000
21. Rev. Fr. John Paul - 2000 – 2003
22. Rev.Fr. Viagula Marian - 2003 – 2006
23. Rev.Fr. Clarence Dinesh - 2006 – 2011
24. Rev.Fr. Ratchaganathan - 2011 – 2012
25. Rev.Fr. Sahaya Vendan - 2012- 2014
26. Rev.Fr. Leo Jeyaseelan - 2014 - 2017
27. Rev.Fr. Rajan - 2017 - 2022
28. Rev.Fr. Infant E. - 2022 -

Grottos in the parish:

Catholic Population : 6150

No. of Catholic Families : 930

Sunday Mass – Timings : 5 a.m. & 6.30 a.m.

Sub – Stations
1. Thriuvambalapuram – Infant Jesus
2. Ulagaratchagapuram – Holy Redeemer

Participatory Structures
1. Anbiyams
2. 15 Pastoral Commissions

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood
2. Amalorpava Matha Sodality
3. Varaprasada Matha Sodality
4. Legion of Mary
5. Vincent de Paul Society

Other Associations & Activities
1. Mahalir Mantram

Religious
Congregation of the Holy Cross Fathers
Holy Cross Fathers House, Koothenkuzhi – 627 104. Tel. 04637 – 291858
Congregation of the Mother of Sorrows, Servants of Mary (OSM)

Servite Convent, Koothenkuzhi – 627 104. Tel. 04637 – 291858

Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB)

Don Bosco Mission, Paster Lensen Polytechnic, Lensen Nagar,Koothenkuzhi– 627 104.
Tel. 04637 – 275197

Institutions under the Religious
St. Joseph’s Primary School, Koothenkuzhi – 627 104.
St. Theresa’s Primary School, Koothenkuzhi – 627 104.
Punitha Kitheri High School, Koothenkuzhi– 627 104. Tel. 04637 – 295777
Paster Lensen Polytechnic, Lensen Nagar, Koothenkuzhi – 627 104. (SDB)
Tel. 04637 – 275365, 275366, 275367