St. Xavier’s Church

Till 1946 Arumuganeri was one of the substations of Adaikalapuram. For a few years, it was also part of the Sathankulam mission. In 1860 about 18 families embraced Christianity. 1913 mission diary of the Madurai mission mentions Arumuganeri and the number of Catholics who lived there. It is said that St. Francis Xavier’s Church was built in 1860. The Church was renovated in 1954 when Fr. Rosario Corera was the parish priest. Kurumbur one of the substations of Arumuganeri became an independent parish on 14th June 1985. In 1974 Rev. Fr. Vladmir Rayan built St. Antony’s chapel at Sagupuram. Rev. Fr. Pancras Fernando (1975 -1978) renovated the sacristy of the Church and Rev. Fr. Joseph Amalraj (1978 – 1982) renovated the whole Church. Rev. Fr. Viagulamarian (1985-1990) renovated the presbytery and Rev. Fr. Thomas built the grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in 1996. Rev.Fr. S.M. Amaladass built a new Mandapam in front of the Church in 2005. A village called ‘Kaanam’, one of the substations of Arumuganeri is connected with the history of St. Francis Xavier. Sub - Stations 1. Melakaanam – St. Antony the Hermit 2. Rajamaniapuram – St. Antony 3. Sahupuram – St. Antony 4. Sonakanvilai – St. Antony Grottos in the Parish: 1. Our Lady of Lourdues - Madathuvilai 2. Our Lady of Veilankanni - Cruz Nagar – A’ Neri 3. St. Annammal - Arumuganeri 4. St. Antony - D.C. W. Sahupuram 5. St. Antony - Melakanam 6. St. Antony - Sonaganvilai The Succession of Parish Priests: 1. Rev. Fr. Antony S. Fdo - 1946 – 1950 2. Rev. Fr. Rosari Goraira - 1950 – 1954 3. Rev. Fr. Pushpam - 1954 – 1957 4. Rev. Fr. Gabrie - 1957 – 1960 5. Rev. Fr. Antony Xavier - 1960 – 1962 6. Rev. Fr. Joseph Xavier - 1962 - 1965 7. Rev. Fr. S. Francis - 1965 - 1968 8. Rev. Fr. Antonysamy - 1968 – 1969 9. Rev. Fr. Julian A. Fdo - 1969 – 1972 10. Rev. Fr. Vladmir Rayen - 1972 – 1975 11. Rev. Fr. Pancras Fdo - 1975 - 1978 12. Rev. Fr. Joseph Amalraj - 1978 – 1982 13. Rev. Fr. Gruz Antony - 1982 – 1983 14. Rev. Fr. Antony Pitchai - 1983 – 1985 15. Rev. Fr. Viagula Marian - 1985 – 1990 16. Rev. Fr. Loyola De Rose - 1990 – 1992 17. Rev. Fr. M. Thomas - 1992 – 1997 18. Rev. Fr. Valdmir Rayen - 1997 - 1998 19. Rev. Fr. Devasahayam - 1998 – 2001 20. Rev. Fr. S.M. Amaladass - 2001 – 2006 21. Rev. Fr. J.B. Augustine - 2006 – 2008 22. Rev. Fr. Reyosil Peppy - 2008 – 2009 23. Rev. Fr. Rupert Arul Valan - 2009 - 2014 24. Rev. Fr. Starwin - 2014 - 2019 25. Rev. Fr. Aloysius 2019 -

Madathuvillai, Arumuganeri - Tuticorin Dt. Tamil Nadu - 628 202 - India