St. Mary’s Church

History shows that until early 1960s, Barbil was part of the Archdiocese f Ranchi and that the late Archbishop Nicolas Kujur, on 22nd July1958, had blessed and inaugurated a simple chapel built in the land of the mine owner Mr. Freegrade. In his enthusiasm to reach the spiritual benefits to the mining people of Barbil and around at easy reach, the then Archbishop Nicolas Kujur SJ of Ranchi had entrusted the care of Barbil to Fr.W.A. Cook SJ, parish priest of Chaibasa and eventually transferred Barbil to the Archdiocese of Calcutta in 1960. Fr. Guidera SJ and Fr. Dincger SJ, as parish priests of Chaibasa had taken keen interest in the growth and development of Barbil. They had purchased much land there in the name of the Archdiocese of Calcutta. In 1965, Fr. Richard Manuel of the diocese of Cuttack took charge of Barbil as parish priest from Fr. Dincger SJ. In 1966, Fr. Richard Manuel had started an English Medium School and in 1967, the Hindi medium School was converted into Oriya medium. In 1968, when Balasore Apostolic Prefecture was erected, Barbil came to be under Balasore Apostolic prefecture. In 1968, November, releiving Fr. Richard Manuel, Fr. Thomas Kottaram CM had assumed charge of Barbil as Parish Priest. On 22nd January 1969, the SABS Sisters came to Barbil, opened their Convent and took charge of the English Medium School. In 1970, Fr. Thomas Kottaram was called to Balasore to assist in the Relief Operations and Fr. Fausto Gregorio CM was placed as Parish Priest of Barbil. On 26th October 1970, the DC Sisters started their convent in Barbil and on 8th December 1970, they started the Seva Sadan Dispensary. In 1972, the tribal Girls’ Hostel was started in Barbil by the DC Sisters and on the following year in 1973, the old age home too was started. In 1975, reliving Fr. Fausto Gregorio, Fr. Paul Pynadath became Parish Priest of Barbil. In 1977, when Fr. Paul Pynadath was transferred to Keonjhar, Fr. Antony Nettikatt assumed charge over Barbil as Parish Priest. In 1979, the hostels were started for the benefit of the English Medium School for boys and girls. In 1980, when Fr, Antony Nettikatt was elected Provincial of the Vincentians, Fr. Thomas Paramootil re-leaved him and assumed charge as Parish Priest in the same year on 8th December 1980; the present church of Barbil was blessed and inaugurated for the Public Worship. In 1981, Fr. Basil Thottankara became parish priest and in 1983, Fr. Cherian Varampath replaced him. In 1986, releaving Fr. Cherian Fr. Mathew Thundiyil became parish of Barbil. It was during his time in 1987, that the Tribal Boys’ Hostel was started in Barbil. In May 1991, Fr. Xavier Thottankara C.M was appointed as the Parish Priest. On 2nd July 1995 Fr. Xavier Thottankara was relieved and Fr. George Mattathilani took the charge as the Parish Priest. On 18th February 1996 Fr. Jojo Vaidyakaran assumed charge as Parish Priest of Barbil. On 23rd June 2002 Fr. Koonamparampath relieved Fr. Jojo and took charge of Barbil as Parish Priest From 3rd July 2005, Fr. Jojo Vaidyakaran is again the Parish Priest of Barbil.

St. Mary’s Church, P.O. Barbil, Barbil Dist - Keonjhar, Pin - 758035