St. Antony's Church
Tuticorin

:Parish Name : St. Antony’s Church
Address : V.E. Road, Tuticorin 628 002
Patron Saint : St. Antony
Telephone No : 0461 - 2320108

A Brief History
200 years ago, in the place where St. Antony’s Church now stands, was a small thatched chapel. Mr. J.M.P. Roche Victoria, the father of Chevalier J.L.P. Roche Victoria, helped to put up a stone walled chapel instead of the thatched hut. People started flocking to this small chapel dedicated to St. Antony. Certain Mr. Lazar Fernando built a small mandapam infront of the chapel. Mr. T.S.X.A. Jacob brothers helped to set an altar in the chapel.

When Rev. Fr. J. Augustine Fernando was the parish priest of Cathedral parish, a Church of modest size was built. On January 17, 1962, Bishop Thomas Fernando laid the foundation stone for a larger Church. On 13th August 1962 the new parish Church was blessed by Bishop Thomas Fernando. On 3rd September 1962 St. Antony’s Church area was bifurcated from Cathedral parish and was elevated to a parish. Rev. Fr. M.G. Pragasam was appointed as the parish priest of the new parish. The Church was further extended by Rev. Fr. M.G. Pragasam, who also built the presbytery. When Fr. Cedric Peeris was the parish priest (2004 – 2009) the Church was renovated.

1984 Fatima Nagar Parish was bifurcated from St. Antony’s Shrine.
1987 St. Antony’s Shrine celebrated its Silver Jubilee
2012 St. Antony’s Shrine celebrated its Golden Jubilee.

Succession of parish priests:
1. Rev.Fr. M.G. Pragasam - 1962 – 1970
2. Rev.Fr. Hermas Moduthagam- 1970 – 1974
3. Rev.Fr. Xavier Marian - 1974 – 1978
4. Rev.Fr. V. Irudayaraj - 1978 - 1982
5. Rev.Fr. John Xavier - 1982 – 1984
6. Rev.Fr. Gruz Antony - 1984 – 1989
7. Rev.Fr. D.S. Alphonse - 1989 – 1994
8. Rev.Fr. Rajareegam - 1994 – 1999
9. Rev.Fr. Antonydoss - 1999 – 2004
10. Rev.Fr. Cedric Peeris - 2004 – 2009
11. Rev.Fr. Starwin - 2009 – 2014
12. Rev.Fr. Maria Antony Savarimuthu 2014 - 2015
13. Rev.Fr. Susilan 2015 - 2020
14. Rev.Fr. Jesu Antony Amalraj R. 2020 - 2025
15. Rev.Fr. Babiston 2025 -

Grottos in the parish: Nil
Catholic Population : 6100

No. of Catholic Families : 800

Sunday Mass – Timings : 5 .00a.m., 6.30 a.m., 9 a.m. & 6 p.m.
Weekdays : 6.00 a.m

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

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Amalorpava Matha Sodality
2. Holy Family Sodality
3. Franciscan 3rd Order
4. Legion of Mary (4 Presidiums)
5. Vincent de Paul Society
6. Liturgical Committee

Other Associations & Activities
1. St. Antony’s Youth Movement
2. Krithavar Vazhvurimai Iyyakkam

Religious
Sisters of the Cross of Chavanod (SCC)/ Holy Cross Sisters
Holy Cross Convent, V.E. Road, Thoothukkudi – 628 002. Tel : 0461 – 2321607

Institutions under the Religious
Holy Cross Anglo-Indian Hr. Sec. School, V.E. Road, Thoothukkudi – 628 002. (SCC)
Tel : 0461 - 2321680
Holy Cross Hr. Sec. School, V.E. Road, Thoothukkudi – 628 002. Tel : 0461 – 2321303 (SCC)
Holy Cross Primary School, Thoothukkudi – 628 002. Tel : 0461 – 2338208 (SCC)

==============

Final correction arrived in post on May 27th 2023 by : Jesu Antony Amalraj R.
Two corrections updated on May 27th 2023.