St. Mary's Church

St. Mary's Church came into existence in April 1923 as a gift from the well-known John family of Agra, in memory of Mrs. Mary John. They also donated the adjoining compound with a large bungalow in it for the maintenance of the Church and the chaplain. The foundation stone of this Church was laid on April 5, 1920 and on its completion, was blessed by Archbishop Raphael Bernacchioni on April 5, 1923 and was dedicated to Mary, Mother of Good Counsel. Thus, the Church came to fulfill the long-felt need of the residents of the locality as they found the Cathedral and St. Patrick's Parish too far for their spiritual needs. In 1968, at the request of the H.A.L. employees, the dedication was changed by Archbishop Dominic Athaide to Mary Mother of Good Health, after the Shrine of Our Lady of Velankani in Tamil Nadu. The Religious Sisters of Jesus & Mary, seeing the need of the Catholics, established St. Anthony's School in 1845. The compound adjoining the Church was handed over to the Missionaries of Charity by the Archbishop in 1961. In 1964 Shishu Bhavan, a home for the abandoned, crippled and differently abled children was opened. Prem Dan, a home for the aged and dying destitutes was opened in 1980. St. Lawrence of Brindisi (Minor Seminary) was shifted from the Cathedral Campus and relocated on 26 February, 1991. Till 1984 Capuchin Fathers served in this parish and later it was handed over to Pilar Fathers. Now it is under Diocesan Fathers since 2000. In 1995, ASMI Sisters started a Hospital and in 2005 PSOL Sisters started Divya Prabha (A Home for Children at Risk). The following are the Priests who served the parish: Fr. Hugh, OFM Cap Fr. John Pachelli Fernandes Fr. Lawrence Colaco, OFM Cap Fr. Percy Quiteiro, OFM Cap Fr. Jose Maliekal 1984 - 1986 Fr. John D'Cunha 1986 - 1987 Fr. Joe Vadakkekara 1987 - 1989 Fr. Blaise Gonsalves 1989 - 1992 Fr. Mathew Kumblumoottil 1992 - 1993 Fr. Shivaji Henriques, SFX 1993 - 1996 Fr. Eusebio Gomes, SFX 1996 - 2000 Fr. Henry D'Souza, SFX 2000 - 2001 Fr. Raphy Vallachira 2001 - 2003 Fr. Philip Correia 2003 - 2010 Fr. Eugene Moon Lazarus 2010 - 2016 Fr. Stephen Kolandaiswamy 2016 - Address St. Mary's Church 8 Ajmer Road, Pratappura Agra - 282 001 Phone 2463505 E-mail stmarysagra1923@gmail.com Patroness Our Lady of Good Health Annual feast day September 8 Estd 1923 Catholics 970 Clergy Fr. Stephen Kolandaiswamy (PP) Fr. Prakash Rodrigues (APP) Religious Houses: Convent of Jesus & Mary (RJM) T. 2267278 Fatima Bhawan (ASMI) T. 2466550, 9411085189 Missionaries of Charity (MC) T. 2269722, 6888935 Poor Sisters of Our Lady (PSOL) M. 9410251470 Institutions: Fatima Hospital T. 6537235, 9412159807 St. Anthony's Junior College T. 2463335 St. Lawrence Minor Seminary T. 2460331

St. Mary's Church 8 Ajmer Road, Pratappura Agra - 282 001