Holy Redeemer's Church
Nedungulam

Parish Name : Holy Redeemer’s Church
Address : Nedungulam, Tuticorin Dt. 628 704
Patron Saint : Holy Redeemer

A Brief History :
Before 1800, five Catholic families from Malabar, the state of Kerala got settled at Nedunkulam for climbing Palm trees. From the beginning onwards they were exploring the catholic faith by building a thatched hut. In the course of time, Fr. Michael Nathar from Sokkenkudiyirruppu used to visit the people by nourishing the catholic faith. The inhabitants those who settled after the small group were non Christians and later got converted to Protestants in 1824. After sometime in the Year 1828, a few families among Protestants shifted their faith to Catholicism. In 1880, Fr. Denis Guchen S.J., with the help of the people constructed a church and consecrated to the Holy Redeemer's which was shaped like Cross. In 1920's and 1960's, there was an agitation of Pandemic and Famine among the people and most of them left the homeland and got settled in Malaysia, Srilanka, Singapore, Barma Chennai, Coimbatore and Mumbai. In 1940, Primary School was started at Nedunkulam and then upgraded to Middle School in 1964. In 1964, Primary School started in Thuvarkulam by Fr. Innaciar. Furthermore during the time of Fr. Arthur James, Nedunkulam church was renovated. In 1979, a small Presbytery was built by Fr. Cruz Antony in Nedunkulam. In 1984, Nedunkulam Church was bifurcated from the Parish of Somanathaperi and gave a new birth to the Parish. And the first Parish Priest was Fr. Irudayaraja. He renovated Nedunkulam Church and built a concrete roof. A Primary School was started in Ilayaneri in 1984 by him. In 2008, a beautiful Grotto consisting of 5 layers was built with the help of the people by the Parish Priest Fr. Joseph Stalin. During the time of Fathers Cruz Antony, Augustine, Amalraj, Stanis Joseph Michael, R.C. Middile School Nedunkulam was built and then renovated.

Succession of parish priest:
1. Rev.Fr. M. Irudayaraja - 1984 - 1988
2. Rev.Fr. U. Amaladas - 1988 - 1993
3. Rev.Fr. R. Antonydas - 1993 - 1994
4. Rev.Fr. A.J. Rex - 1994 - 1997
5. Rev.Fr. A. Augustine - 1997 - 2001
6. Rev.Fr. Amalraj - 2001 - 2004
7. Rev.Fr. D. Joseph Stalin - 2004 - 2009
8. Rev.Fr. Ranjith Kumar Cardoza - 2009 - 2011
9. Rev.Fr. Stanies Joeseph Michael - 2011 - 2016
10. Rev.Fr. Lazer 2016 - 2019
11. Rev.Fr. Johnson Raj 2019 - 2020
12. Rev.Fr. Xavier Kingston 2020 -

Grottos
1. Our Lady of Good Health - Nedunkulam
2. St. Michael's - Ilayaneri

Catholic Population: 1200
No of Catholic Families: 310
Sunday Mass Timing: 07.30am
Weekdays: 05.30am

Special Mass
First Friday: 05.30am
First Saturday: 06.30pm
Feast: August Last Sunday

Substations
1. Venkatrayapuram - Our Lady of Assumption Church (Built in 1880)
2. Varippilankulam - St. Antony's Church(Built in 1949)
3. North Nedunkulam - St. Antony's Church(Built in 1930)
4. Koovai kinaru - Our Lady of Fathima Chuch(Built in 1953)
5. Thuvarkulam - Our Lady of Lourdes Church(Built in 1964)
6. Mettukudiyiruppu - Our Lady Good Health(Built in 1982)
7. Ilayaneri - St. Francis Xavier's Church(Built in 1943)

Church Land
In 1878, Fr. Denis Guchen S.J. @ Parnjothi Nathar bought 14.26 Acres of land for the good of the faithful at Venkatrayapuram.

Participatory Structures
1. Anbiyams

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood Sodality
2. Eucharist Crusaders
3. Matha Sodality
4. YCS 5. Holy Family Sodality
6. Holy Redeemer's Sodality
7. Legion of Mary

Other Associations & Activities
1. Vidivelli Youth Movement - Nedunkulam
2. Paraloga Matha Youth Movement - Venkatrayapuram
3. Seyal Veerar Punitha Anthoniyar Youth Movement - Varippilankulam
4. St. Antony's Youth Movement - North Nedunkulam

Institutions under the Parish
1. R.C. Middle School , Nedunkulam (1940) - 628 704 Nedunkulam P.O.
2. R.C. Primary School, Thuvarkulam (1964) - 628 704 Kalunkuvilai P.O.
3. St. Xavier's Primary School, Ilayaneri(1984) - 628 704 Kombankulam P.O.

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New Info provided by : Fr. Xavier Kingston
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Updated on 12th Oct. 2022