St. James Church
Manapad

Parish Name : St.James Church
Address : Manapad – 628 209
Patron Saint : St. James
Telephone No : 04639 226224

A Brief History :
Already during the time of St. Francis Xavier there was a Church dedicated to Our Lady of Assumption. Later on a new Church was built and was dedicated to St. James the elder. Since the Dutch converted the Church Our Lady of Assumption into their arsenal, from 1585 onwards St. James Church served as the parish Church. Rev. Fr. Duarthu who was the superior of the Jesuit Malabar region as well as the parish priest of Manapad renovated and enlarged the Church in 1745. Again the Jesuit Priests Rev. Frs. Louise Lousus and Blasius Brillinger extended the Church to suit the need the growing number of Catholics. On 12th September 1929 Bishop Tiburtius Roche consecrated the Church.

When the Dutch captured the Jesuit Malabar Province, the jesuit left Cochin and stayed at Ambalakadu and Thoppu. From 1695 utpto 1752, with a few interruptions, Manapad bacame the head quarters of Malabar Jesuit Province. That was called “Collegium”. And the building of Collegium stood near St. James Church.

In 1581 Rev. Fr. John D. Salanova S.J. laid the foundation stone for the Holy Cross Church on the hillock. On September 14, 1582, first Holy mass was celebrated in the Holy Cross Church. Rev. Fr. Caldius Aqua Liva sent two small pieces of the original cross of Jesus to be kept at the Church of Holy Cross. Rev. Fr. Joackim Fernando (1950 – 1970) extended and renovated the Church.

Historical notes tell us that St. Francis Xavier was living in a cave on the eastern side of the Church. Rev. Fr. Louise Lousus S.J. planted a cross over the cave where St. Francis Xavier lived. In 1975 Msgr. Paul Robinston built a small chapel over the cave. The Shrine of Holy Cross was completely renovated by the diocese in 2007 under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Theophilus.

Succession of Parish Priests:

From 1791 to 1812 (12 Priests)
Rev.Fr. Franoo De Meneses (First Priest)
Rev.Fr. Jockim Manuvel Correira S.J. (Last Priest)

From 1838 to 1909 (21 Priests)
Rev.Fr. Alexander Martin S.J. (First Priest)
Rev.Fr. Antony Theodict S.J. (Last Priest)

1. Rev.Fr. Blosius Delinger SJ
2. Rev. Fr. A.M.J Maria Nathar
3. Rev.Fr. Ambrose Missier
4. Rev.Fr. Antony Fdo
5. Rev.Fr.Benedict Fdo
6. Rev.Fr.T.K. Dason Dalmaitha
7. Rev.Fr. Jokin Fdo - 1950 – 1970
8. Rev.Fr. Charles Fdo - 1970 – 1972
9. Rev.Fr. Job De Rose - 1972 - 1974
10. Rev.Fr. Paul Rabinston - 1974 - 1979
11. Rev.Fr. John X. Fdo - 1979 - 1982
12. Rev.Fr. Stephen Dass - 1982 – 1985
13. Rev.Fr. Joseph Mascarenas - 1985 – 1989
14. Rev.Fr. Mariadass - 1989 – 1993
15. Rev.Fr. Cedric Peeris - 1993 – 1994
16. Rev.Fr. Alphonse - 1994 – 1999
17. Rev.Fr. Ganapragasam - 1999 – 2003
18. Rev.Fr. Benzigar 2003 - 2004
18. Rev.Fr. Xavier George - 2004 – 2007
19. Rev.Fr. Jeya Jothi - 2007 – 2008
20. Rev. Fr. Theophilus - 2008 – 2013
21. Rev.Fr. Irudayaraj Fdo, F. - 2013 - 2018
22. Rev.Fr. Maria John Costa 2018 -2019
23. Rev.Fr. Lerin De Rose 2019 - 2024
24. Rev.Fr. Wilson 2024 -

Grottos in the parish:
1. St. Antony's Church (1890 - 1900)
2. Sacred Heart - Manapad (1930)
2. Our Lady of Loudes - Manapad (1913)
3. Holy Cross - Manapad (1581)
4. St. Francis Xavier - Mapanad (1545)

Catholic Population : 3500

No. of Catholic Families : 682

Sunday Mass – Timings Parish: 4.30 a.m. & 6.30 a.m.
Weekdays : 5.30 a.m; 6.15 a.m

Holy Cross Shrine :
Friday 10:30 a.m., 5:00 p.m
Sunday 5:00 p.m.

Sub – Stations
1. Puthukudiyethu – St. Antony
2. Samikudiyethu - St. Michael
3. Amarapuram – has an old Church dedicated to Holy Ghost. But there are no Catholics.

Participatory Structures
1. Anbiyams
2. 15 Pastoral Commissions
3. Parish Pastoral Council
4. Parish Finance Committee

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood (1941)
2. Eucharistic Crusaders (1941)
3. Amalorpava Matha Sodality (1900)
4. Holy Family Sodality(1904)
5. Apostolc Prayer Sodality (1941)
6. Sacred Heart Sodality (1900)
7. Five Wounds Confraternity Sodality (1725)
8. Vincent De Paul Society
9. லூர்து மாதா மதுவிலக்கு சபை

Other Associations & Activities (சமூக நல நிறுவனங்கள்)
1. Palmyrah leaves handicrafts centre
2. Fishermen Association
3. Mahalir Mantram
4. Krithavar Vazhvurimai Iyyakkam

Institutions under the Parish (கல்வி நிறுவனங்கள்)
St. Joseph’s Hr. Sec. School, Manapad – 628 209 Tel. 04639 – 226290 (1942)
St. Mary’s Middle School, Manapad – 628 209 (1944)
St. Joseph’s Primary School, Manapad – 628 209 (1909)
R.C. Primary School, Puthukudiyethu, Manapad – 628 209 (1938)
Good Shepherd Primary School, Amarapuram, Manapad – 628 209 (1987)
St. Vincent Home for Boys, Manapad – 628 209
St. Vincent Home for Girls, Manapad – 628 209

Religious
Congregation of the Mother of Sorrows, Servants of Mary (OSM) (1886)
Servite Convent, St. James Church, Manapad – 628 209 Tel. 04639 – 226296 (1886)

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Corrections added to the existing content by : Rev. Fr. Lerin De Rose
Scanned pages: None. Previous file name : parish-manapad-st-james0.htm
Updated on 15th Jan. 2023

Updated on 12 Jully, 2024