St. Xavier's Church

Catholic people are said to from the time of St. Francis Xavier. In 1886 people started building the church. After much struggle church was built in 1905. In 1925 a Mandapam was added to the church. In 1950 a Sacrist building was added too. As the people grew in number, agricultural works were introduced. Priests from Kamanayakkanpatti were helping the liturgy. In 1964, Vandanam was erected as a Parish by Most Rev. Peter Leonard, Archbishop of Madurai. Theethampatty and Achankulam villages were added to Vandanam Parish. Rev. Fr. R.S. Arulanandam was the First parish priest. After him, about twelve parish priests have been here. Due to lack of Rain and transportation, local people moved to various towns and cities. The Succession of the Priests 1. Rev. Fr. R.S. Arulanandam 2. Rev. Fr. P.S. Antonysamy (interim) 3. Rev. Fr. Arockiasamy (interim) 4. Rev. Fr. Pushpanathar 5. Rev. Fr. John Meembillikavil SJ 6. Rev. Fr. P. Gnanapragasam 7. Rev. Fr. T.A. Berchmans 8. Rev. Fr. P.M. D’Silva 9. Rev. Fr. M. Berchmans 10. Rev. Fr. S.A. Annasamy 11. Rev. Fr. James A 12. Rev. Fr. T.Y. Rasaiah OSM (interim) 13. Rev. Fr. Rex Justin (interim) 14. Rev. Fr. Eugine David 15. Rev. Fr. Rex Justin (interim) 16. Rev. Fr. V.S. Antonyraj 17. Rev. Fr. T.A. Berchmans 18. Rev. Fr. Sahayadasan N 19. Rev. Fr. Arul Nesamani 20. Rev. Fr. Masilamani Substations with Churches Therkku Theethampatti Achankulam Kadambur Sivalingapuram Substations without Churches Therkku Vandanam Onamakulam

Vandanam Road, North Vandanam, Kadambur S.O Kovilpatti Tk - Tuticorin Dt. Tamil Nadu - 628 714 - India