St. Ann's Church
Thattarmadam

Parish Name : St. Anne’s Church
Address : Thattarmadam, Tuticorin Dt. 628 653
Patron Saint : St. Anne’s
Telephone No : 04639 – 253132

A Brief History :
Thattarmadam is a village located in the southern part of the Thoothukudi Diocese in Tamil Nadu, India. It is has some 127 families living within the parish limit and with an additional 56 families scattered all over Tamil Nadu. Thattarmadam was one of the prominent substations of Sokkankudiyiruppu parish. The local church in Thattarmadam is dedicated to Saint Annammal, also known as "Santhana Matha" by the local people. The village festival (Parochial feast) is celebrated on the first Sunday of January. Thattarmadam has a diverse population, including communities such as Nadar, Devar, Pillai, Asari, Yadavar, Chettiar, Aathi Dravidar, Arundhatiyar, Gurus, Barbers, and Laundry workers, who coexist harmoniously.

The Catholic Christians in Thattarmadam migrated from Prakasapuram near Mookupeeri (Nazareth) around 1926 and established their settlement. Agriculture, particularly palm cultivation, has been their primary livelihood. Initially, the Catholic Christians of Thattarmadam did ’t have a church of their own but would travel to the Sokkankudiruppu church to fulfill their religious obligations. However, a thatched church was later constructed in Thattarmadam.

The church came to be known as "Sangtha Anna" in honor of a woman named Santhanam, whose name was inscribed in the church based on a dream the village administrator had. Over time, the thatched church was converted into a tile-roofed structure, and later a stone church was built in 1948. The construction faced delays due to a land dispute but was eventually completed and consecrated by Most Rev. Bishop Ambrose Madalaimuthu.

On January 3rd, 2002, Thattarmadam (Annal Nagar) was declared a new parish, and Rev.Fr. Peter Raja was appointed as the first parish priest. Various developments have taken place in Thattarmadam, including upgrading of St. Anna Middle School to High School. Rev.Fr. Peter Raja had a special concern for the people of Thattarmadam and after his retirement he lived at Thattarmadam and took care of the spiritual needs of the people.

Rev.Fr G. Joseph constructed the church altar, a new flagpole, the grotto of Our Lady of Arockia Annai, and the presbytery which was blessed by Bishop Yvon Ambroise on 22nd May 2010.

Fr. Santhiago served as the parish priest of Thattarmadam for two years.

On June 4, 2020, Father Joseph Stalin assumed the role of parish priest, a commendable appointment during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Under his leadership, people were provided with essential groceries for their sustenance, demonstrating a compassionate and caring approach. Father Stalin also encouraged financial support for self-financed teachers, recognizing the importance of assisting them during this difficult period. Furthermore, he introduced a food festival as a means to raise funds for Mission Sunday. This creative initiative not only helped collect funds but also fostered community engagement and solidarity. Father Stalin exhibited a visionary mindset by resolving the land dispute in Devasahayam Pillai Kursadi, ensuring its accessibility for the construction of a grotto. This decision enabled the community to embrace and cherish a new sacred space.

Fr Kalai Selvan was appointed as the parish priest on June 26, 2022, and he undertook the task of relocating the graveyard to a newly acquired piece of land near Kommadikottai. However, the residents of Kommadikottai, with the assistance of an anti-social group, opposed the use of the land as a graveyard. This opposition led to threats against the parish priest and village leaders, and they were even faced with the possibility of being arrested. In response, the concerned individuals brought the issue to the attention of the Thoothukudi district collector. The collector intervened and resolved the case by issuing a Government Order (G.O.) allowing for the burial of the deceased in the newly acquired land and permitting the construction of a grotto dedicated to Devasahayam. This decision brought a resolution to the dispute.

To honor the occasion and veneration of Saint Devasahayam, the people, together with the parish priest, decided to celebrate the feast of St. Devasahayam on May 15. This date held significance as it marked the day when he was canonized as a saint. With the support of the community, they successfully built a grotto dedicated to St. Devasahayam, which was inaugurated and blessed by the Revered Bishop Stephen on May 15, 2023.

Succession of parish priests:
1. Rev.Fr. Peter Raja - 2002 - 2007
2. Rev.Fr. Joseph G. - 2007 - 2010 -
3. Rev.Fr. John Paul Lobo - 2010 - 2013
4. Rev.Fr. Joseph Rathinaraj - 2013 - 2018
5. Rev.Fr. Santhiago - 2018 - 2020
6. Rev.Fr. Joseph Stalin - 2020 - 2022
7. Rev.Fr. Kalai Selvan (Administrator) 2022 - 2025
8. Rev.Fr. Antony Franics Prathap G. 2025 -

Catholic Population : 1200

No. of Catholic Families : 200

Sunday Mass – Timings : 7.30 a.m.
Weekdays : 6.00 a.m

Sub – Stations
1. Thandayarpuram – St. Antony

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

Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations)
1. Holy Childhood
2. Holy Family Sodality
3. Matha Sodality

Institutions under the Parish
St. Anne’s High School, Thattarmadam – 628 653.
St. Anne’s Primary School, Thattarmadam – 628 653

====================
Hisotry Prepared by Rev.Fr. Santiago and Rev.Fr. Kalaiselvan
Previous file name : parish-thattarmadam0.htm
File before English translation : parish-thattarmadam1.htm
Updated on May 18the 2023

Updated on 12 Jully, 2024