St. Paul's Church

Evengelisation process started in Hatigarh area by the late Fr. Thomas Kottaram C.M. in 1972, who took up his residence in the hardest situations of Hatigarh in 1972. He started all the way with a lowcost hostel to facilitate the education of the Tribal children in the rural area. Gradually, the Gospel message began to spread far and wide in the villages. On 8th December 1975, the Daughters of Charity (DC) established a house of theirs in Hatigarh and started with a health centre (Seton house). January 25, 1977 saw the blessing of a beautiful and spacious church dedicated to St. Paul in Hatigarh. In 1978, the Daughters of Charity started a hostel for the tribal girls. A modest chapel at Rajabandha was blessed in 1980. Similarly, in the following year, 1981, Jhatioda had a simple village chapel blessed. After all the strenuous efforts of establishing a Christian Community in and around Hatigar. its pioneer missionary, Fr. Kottaram handed over the charges of Hatigarh to his successor Fr. Thomas Enchakel on 25th Feb’1981 Fr. Thomas Enchkel too, following the footsteps of his predecessor, continued spreading the Kingdom of God until he was transferred to Balasore on 1984 July 12. Fr. Chacko Palyathil pastored Hatigarh for 2 years during that period on March 19, 1984 Hatigarh had the privilege of witnesing the priestly ordiantion of Jose Thundiyil in its beautiful and spacious church. In December 1986, when Fr. Chacko was transferred elsewhere, Fr. Xavier Thttankara took up charges of Hatigarh and he guided its destiny until July 1989. In 1987, the DC Sisters started a Grihini Training centre within the premises of their Seton House. Relieving Fr. Xavier Thottankara in 1989, Fr. George Thattamparampil assumed charges and cared for the Spiritual and material needs of Hatigarh people until July 11,1993, when Fr. Francis Kannampuzha C.M. was installed Parish Priest. When Fr. Francis Kannampuzha C.M. was transferred in 2000, Fr. Sebastian Mali C.M.was appointed as the Parish Priest. In 2003 an English Medium School was opened by the D.C Sisters in the Parish.(Seton English Medium School). In 2005 Fr.Sebastian Mali C.M was replaced by Fr. Vincent Varekulam C.M and he continues to be the Parish priest.

Catholic Church, P.O. Hatigarh, Balasore. Pin - 756033