St. Thomas Catholic Church

Christians, who migrated from Kerala in large numbers to Mumbai – Pune region, formed the All Kerala Catholic Committee in 1944 and the Kerala Catholic Association in 1961. In 1984, Rev. Fr. Gorge Kavukattu and Rev Fr. Lonappan Arangassery, who were deputed by Syro Malabar Church to Pune, made commendable progress to establish various Syro Malabar centres in Pune, prior to the formation of the diocese of Kalyan. The Kalyan diocese came into existence on 24th August 1988. In the year, 1991, late Rev. Fr. Sunny Anikuzhikkattil became the first Priest-in-Charge of Kirkee centre, Pune. Rev. Fr. Sunny’s untimely demise on 2nd June 1992 was a setback to the dreams of the parish members to have a church. In the meantime the Sangivi centre had built prayer centre ‘Marian Centre’ in the year 1992 under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Antony Kakkanat and was blessed by Mar Paul Chittilappilly. Rev. Fr. Paul Alappatt took over as the Priest-incharge of Kirkee centre in 1993. During his tenure, land was purchased in Pimpale Gurav to build the church, with financial assistance from the diocese of Kalyan. The foundation stone of the church was laid by Mar Paul Chittilappilly, then Bishop of Kalyan Diocese, on 24th March 1996, during the tenure of Rev. Fr. Jacob Edakalathoor. Rev. Fr. Jacob’s organising skills combined with commitment of the parishioners of Kirkee and Sanghvi, enabled us to collect huge amount of donations from the parishioners, assistance from Bishop, etc. to build a parish hall. Meanwhile, Marian centre, Sanghvi was merged with Kirkee centre and named as ‘Dapodi Parish’. The church grew in strength, spirit, fellowship and oneness and gathered further momentum after consecration on 18th April 1998, by Mar Thomas Elavanal, Bishop of Kalyan. In June 1999, Rev. Fr. Johnson Olakkengal took over as the Parish Priest of Dapodi after whom Rev. Fr. Tharian Mundadan served as parish priest from May 2001 to February 2005. During this period, there was tremendous development and expansion of the centre and we acquired 15 guntas of adjacent land with the help of parishioners and the generous donations of each member. During this period, we constructed the Grotto of Mother Mary which was blessed on 22nd January 2005 by Mar Thomas Elavanal, to express veneration and respect to our Mother. Rev. Fr. Jose Vazhakalayil took charge of the Parish on 31st January 2005. Foundation stone of the present Church was laid on 09th April 2006 by Mar Thomas Elavanal while Fr. Jose Vazhakkalayil was Parish Priest. The strength of the Church Construction Committee was increased and various schemes were started to collect funds for the construction. After a strenuous period of 20 months, the arduous task of church construction got completed and consecrated on 27-01-2008. Rev. Fr. Francis Perumaden was the Parish Priest from 2009 to 2011. Later our Parish Priests were Rev. Fr. Shibu Pulickal and Rev. Fr. Martin Velliyamkandathil. Fr. Jomet Vazhayil took charge as the parish priest from 09th February 2017. DETAILS Forane: Pune Status: Parish Parish Priest: Fr. Jomet Vazhayil Establishment of parish Community: 18-04-1988 Official Erection as a Parish: 16-08-2009 Date of the Consecration of the Church: 27-01-2008 Area of the Church Property: 42.2 guntas No. of Family’s: 200 No. of Family Units: 12 Address: 33/3 Gaurav Pimple, Pune 411061 Phone No.: 020-56306072 How to reach:

33/3 Gaurav Pimple, Pune 411061