St. Francis Xavier's Church

In 1960, the F.C.C. Sisters began their first Mission House in San Damiano Convent, Agra. Since a few Catholics were already working in Kasganj as Railway employees, Brother Hubert thought of opening a station at Kasganj. He had to meet the Planning Officer at Etah in that connection, as Kasganj was in Etah District. The Planning Officer directed Brother Hubert to the then District Magistrate Mr. Moizuddin Ahmed who was longing for a Missionary School at Etah. The Archbishop entrusted the work of opening the school to the F.C.C. Sisters. On July 19, 1962 the Sisters reached Etah and the first ever Holy Mass was celebrated in Etah by Fr. Mathew, OFM Cap in the Sisters' chapel in a rented building. After staying in a rented building for a long time, Fr. Vijayan Menezes, OFM Cap, constructed a residence for priests on the Etah-Agra Road. Archbishop the Most Rev. Dominic Athaide blessed the Presbytery and named it 'Shanti Niwas' on May 5, 1981. The foundation stone for a new Church was laid on May 7, 1998 by the Most Rev. Dr. Cecil De Sa. The long cherished dream of having a Church at Etah came to a reality on January 31, 1999 when the Most Rev. Dr. Vincent M. Concessao blessed the new Church and dedicated it to St. Francis Xavier. Fr. Joe Vadakkekara was the then priest in-charge. Fr. Timothy, OFM Cap., Fr. Pius, OFM Cap., Fr. Peter Celestine OFM Cap., Fr. Thomas Paramundayil, Fr. Lawrence, OFM Cap., have rendered their services to this Mission. In 2004, the Most Rev. Dr. Oswald Gracias took the initiative to have a special coaching/study centre for local candidates who wished to become priests. The following are the Parish Priests: Fr. Vijayan Menezes, OFM Cap 1980 - 1982 Fr. Raphy Manjaly 1983 - 1984 Fr. John D'Cunha 1984 - 1986 Fr. Sebastian Pantaladi 1986 - 1986 Fr. Ignatius Miranda 1986 - 1988 Fr. Ignatius Chulliyil 1988 - 1990 Fr. Joe Vadakkekara 1990 - 1999 Fr. George Paul 1999 - 2001 Fr. K. K. Thomas 2001 - 2002 Fr. Tomy V. A. 2002 - 2006 Fr. Vinoy Pulivellil 2006 - 2008 Fr. Johnson Chiriyankandath 2008 - 2010 Fr. Joby Kanjirathinkal 2010 - 2015 Fr. Raphy Vallachira 2015 – 2021 Fr. Arul Kumar Lazar 2021 - Address St. Francis Xavier's Church Shanti Nivas, Agra Road Etah - 207 001 Phone 05742-233790 E-mail sfxchurchetah@gmail.com Patron St. Francis Xavier Annual Feast Day December 3 Estd 1962 Catholics 128 Clergy Fr. Arul Kr. Lazar (P.P.) Religious Houses Assisi Convent (FCC) T. 233410/9897929876 Assisi Bhavan (FCC) M. 8937965076 Institutions Assisi Convent Primary School T. 233410/9997319640 Assisi Convent Sr. Sec. School M. 9458577907 St. Mary's Bal Bhavan M. 8938031252 St. Mary's High School (H.M) M. 7253095800

St. Francis Xavier's Church Shanti Nivas, Agra Road Etah - 207 001