St. Thomas Church
Vembar

Parish Name : St. Thomas Church,
Address : Vembar, 628 906, Tuticorin Dt.
Patron Saint : St. Thomas

A Brief History :
1913 mission diary of the Madurai Mission mentions about St. Thomas Church at Vembar. The present Church was started by Rev. Fr. D. Saminather in 1918 and it was completed in 1919. In 1973 Rev. Fr. Sengolemany built the mandapam. In 1970 the Church was renovated. In 1993 Rev. Fr. Barnabas enlarged the Church and built the belfry. The new presbytery building was put up by Rev. Fr. Maria Arasu and was blessed by Bishop Yvon Ambroise on 21st December 2009.

In 2017 the church was renovated and widened by Rev. Fr. Antony Michael Lawrence and blessed by Most Rev. Bishop Yvon Ambroise. In 1979 Rev. Fr. Cruz Marian built the Holy Cross flag pole. In 2018 Rev. Fr. George Aliban renovated the Holy Cross Flag pole in Brass.

Succession of parish priests:
1. Rev.Fr. G. Soosai Nather - 1947 – 1948
2. Rev.Fr. D. Swami Nather - 1948 – 1949
3. Rev.Fr. Mascarenhas - 1949 – 1950
4. Rev.Fr. Stanislaus Pandian - 1950 – 1955
5. Rev.Fr. G. Francis - 1955 – 1956
6. Rev.Fr. Ignaci Xavier - 1956 – 1962
7. Rev.Fr. D. Gnanapragasam - 1962 – 1968
8. Rev.Fr. Irudayaraj - 1968 – 1970
9. Rev.Fr. Sengol Mani - 1970 – 1972
10. Rev.Fr. Maria Viagulam - 1972 – 1974
11. Rev.Fr. Antony Samy - 1974 – 1977
12. Rev.Fr. M.J. Irudaya Raj - 1977 – 1978
13. Rev.Fr. Gruz Marian - 1978 – 1982
14. Rev.Fr. M.S. Antony - 1982 – 1984
15. Rev.Fr. Pancras M. Raja - 1984 – 1986
16. Rev.Fr. Lourdu Mani - 1986 – 1987
17. Rev.Fr. Antony Thilagaraj - 1987 – 1989
18. Rev.Fr. Barnabas - 1989 – 1994
19. Rev.Fr. Martin - 1994 – 1998
20. Rev.Fr. Masila Mani - 1998 –
21. Rev.Fr. Xavier Arulraj - 1998 – 2000
22. Rev.Fr. Jackson - 2000 – 2001
23. Rev.Fr. Irudayasamy - 2001 – 2005
24. Rev.Fr. John Bosco - 2005 – 2009
25. Rev.Fr. Maria Arasu - 2009 – 2011
26. Rev.Fr. M. Selvam HGN - 2011 – 2012
27. Rev.Fr. Lawrence - 2012 - 2017
28. Rev.Fr. George Aliban 2017 - 2019
29. Rev.Fr. Antonydas R. 2019 - 2024
30. Rev.Fr.  Joseph Starlin 2024 -

Grottos in the parish:
1. Our Lady of Rosary Vembar

Catholic Population : 5350

No. of Catholic Families : 675

Sunday Mass – Timings : 7:00 a.m, Benediction : 6:00 p.m.
Weekdays : 6:00 a.m.

Sub – Stations
Rayappapuram – St. Peter

Participatory Structures
1. Anbiyams 13
2. 15 Pastoral Commissions

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood
2. Eucharistic Crusaders
3. Amalorpava Matha Sodality
4. St. Theresa of Child Jesus Sodality
5. Holy Family Sodality
6. Legion of Mary
7. Vincent de Paul Society

Other Associations & Activities
1. Altar Boys Association
2. Vidivelli Mahalir Mantram
3. Thenmailai Nagar Social Service
4. Kolping Movement
5. Krithavar Vazhvurimai Iyyakkam

Institutions under the Parish
St. Peter Middle School, Subramaniapuram Vembar – 628 906
St. Peter Primary School, Rayappapuram – 628 901 Surankudi P.O

Religious
Congregation of Sacred Heart Sisters, Tuticorin.
St. Thomas Church, Vembar – 628 906 Tel : 04638 – 262351

Institutions under the Religious
Sagarose Dispensary, Vembar – 628 906, Sacred Heart Sisters, Tuticorin. (SHS)

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New Info provided by : Rev.Fr. Antony Doss R.
Scanned pages 18 - 19, Previous file name : parish-vembar-st-thomas0.htm
Final correction done on May 17th 2023

 Updated : July 12th, 2024