St. Antony’s Church

According to the Mission catalogue, Somanathaperi was substation of Sathankulam. On the 1st January 1924 Somanathaperi was made into a separate parish with 20 substations attached to it, Rev. Fr. X. Gabriel was the first Parish Priest of Somanathaperi. He was a zealous Missionary and converted many people around Somanathaperi. In 1973 Rev. Fr. Arthur James converted 50 families at Keezhakkodangulam and put up a Church for them. Due to his efforts a convent was established at Somanathaperi. Nedungulam and Barbarammalpuram which were once substations of Somanathaperi became separate parishes and Somanathaperi is left with only 5 substations. The present parish Church and a grotto of Our Lady were built by Rev. Fr. Soosai Raja and were blessed on 13th of June 1992 by Most Rev. S. T. Amalnather. Rev.Fr. M. Peter built the presbytery. Grottos in the parish : 1. St. Antony - Keezhakaluvoor Catholic Population : 3100 Sub – Stations 1. Chettigulam – Our Lady of Rosary 2. Ilangulam Thattankulam – St. Anne 3. Keezhakkazhvoor – St. Antony 4. Padapargulam – Little Flower 5. Thinaiyoorani – Our Lady of Saleth Participatory Structures 1. Anbiyams 2. 15 Pastoral Commissions Christian Life Societies (Pious Associations) 1. Holy Family Sodality (Somanathaperi) 2. Amalorpava Matha Sodality (Somanathaperi) 3. Lourdu Matha Sodality (Keezhakkazhvoor) 4. Selva Matha Sodality (Thinaiyoorani) 5. Legion of Mary (Thinaiyoorani) Religious Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary – Pondicherry (FIHM) Immaculate Heart of Mary Convent, Somanathaperi – 627 355. Thirumalapuram P.O. Munanchipatti Via Tel. 04635 – 255167, 255212 Succession of parish priests: 1. Rev.Fr. X. Gabriel - 1924 – 1946 2. Rev.Fr. D. Gnanapragasam - 1946 – 1951 3. Rev.Fr. V.M. Kagoo - 1951 – 4. Rev.Fr. Vallavarayer - 1951 – 1954 5. Rev.Fr. R.X. Ignatius - 1954 – 1960 6. Rev.Fr. Mariadas - 1960 – 1967 7. Rev.Fr. Arthur James - 1967 – 1972 8. Rev.Fr. Gruz Antony - 1972 – 1977 9. Rev.Fr. Victor - 1977 – 1983 10. Rev.Fr. Jerosin - 1983 11. Rev.Fr. Amaladas - 1983 – 1984 12. Rev.Fr. Soosai Raja - 1984 – 1987 13. Rev.Fr. Ilango - 1987 - 1992 14. Rev.Fr. Devarajan Francis - 1992 – 1994 15. Rev.Fr. Peter - 1994 - 1995 16. Rev.Fr. Sosai Raj - 1995 – 1998 17. Rev.Fr. Peter - 1999 – 2003 18. Rev.Fr. Johnson - 2004 – 2009 19. Rev.Fr. Irudhayasamy - 2009 – 2014 20. Rev. Fr. Jesu Nazarene - 2014 - 2016 21. Rev. Fr. Stanis Joe Micheal - 2016 - 2019 22. Rev.Fr. Thomas M. 2019 - 2020 23. Rev.Fr. Michael Jegathese 2020 -

Somanathaperi, Tirumalapuram-627 355 Munanjipatti Via, Tirunelveli Dt.