St. John The Baptist

Christianity started in Amarda Road region in 1972 when Fr. Joseph Thyil CM of Happy memory made contacts from Rangiam and baptised 4 families in Nakichua village. In 1973, a vast area of 70 acres of land in Raghunathpur Mouza was purchased from Mr. Gyanendra Mahanty of Barmadiha, Basta with the intention of establishing a rural hospital there. However, due to the land settlement problem that remains still a dream. Late Fr. Joseph Thyil was the Pioneer missionary of Amarda Road. In 1975, Amarda Road got its First Resident Priest in the person of Fr. Paul Kidangan. In 1976, Fr. Zacharias Kunnamkattuthara succeeded Fr. Paul Kidangan at Amarda Road as Parish Priest. Fr. Joseph Kureekal became Parish Priest of Amarda Road in 1979. During his term, the Christian villages of Biripal, Raghpur, Rangoda and Beldiha were bifurcated from Kusudia parish and were adjoined to Amarda Parish. Fr. Joseph Kurekal initiated the construction of the chapel at Biripal but was completed by his successor, Fr. Philip Ettiyamparampil. The chapel was blessed and inaugurated on 1.11.1984. From 1985 - 1991, Fr. Joseph Thundiyil served Amarda Road as Parish Priest. Jeevan Jyoti Boys’ Hostel, Prayer hall-cum-priests house were completed and the construction of the parish church was initiated during the time of Fr. Jose Thundiyil, In 1992, Fr. Daniel Murmu succeeded Fr. Jose Thundiyil as Parish Priest. In 1992, when Fr. Daniel Murmu was transferred to Baghmara, Fr. Gerald Gomes replaced him and continued to be in Amarda Road until 18 May, 1993 when Amarda Road parish was entrusted to the Claretian missionaries (CMF) on 30th of April 1999 when CMF left Fr. Daniel Murmu took charge and he was transfered to Kusudia on 23.06.2004 and in his place Fr. Balthazar took charge as the Parish Priest of Jeevan Jyoti Amarda Road.

Jeevan Jyoti, P.O. Amarda Road Chasipada, Balasore Pin - 756030