St. Thomas The Apostle Church

Christianity has its orgin in Jaleswar region ever since 1972. Until 1975, it was looked after spiritually and materially partly from Balasore and partly from Hatigarh. Bro. Paul Parekattil, a regent resided at Md.Nagar Patna and looked after the construction of the church there. In 1975, Jaleswar got its first resident priest in the person of Fr. Thomas Enchakel C.M. in 1976, the church was blessed and inaugurated on 28th May. a low-cost hostel for junior tribal boys was inaugurated in 1978. The joy and enthusiasm of the Christians and non-christians of Jaleswar region increased when on 2-2-1979, the Visitation Sisters arrived and started a dispensary at Md.Nagar Patna. The Convent of the Visitations Sisters at Md. Nagar Patna was blessed and christened Seva Bhavan on 12-12-1979. In 1980, to the great joy of the people of Lokonnath a chapel was blessed and inaugurated there. In 1981, when the St. Jame’s English Medium School was started, even though in a rented building at Jaleswar town by the Visitation Sisters, the General Public rejoiced more than the Chrisitian Community. In the same year on 18-12-1981, the dispensary building was blessed and inaugurated at the strenuous efforts of Fr. Paul Kunnathoor who replaced Fr. Thomas Enchakel as parish priest on 10-2-1981. A very modest hostel for the junior tribal girls was blessed and inaugurated at Seva Bhavan convent premises on 15-11-1983. In 1985, a health out reach centre was built and inaugurated at Salikotha, on the land donated by the local people there. Due to lack of teaching personnel the Visitation Sisters ultimately handed over St. Jame’s Convent School to SAB Sisters on 16-6-1986. The new St.James’ School and SAB Convent in the outskirts of Jaleswar town was blessed and inaugurated on 1- 1-1987. On 28-4-1987, When Fr. Paul Kunnathoor was transferred to elsewhere, Fr. George Thattaparampil assumed charges of Jaleswar parish. After 3 years of his stay and work in Jaleswar parish, Fr. George Thattaparampil was transferred to Hatigarh, handing over charges temporarily to Fr. Sebastain Thazhathuveetil C.M. who took care of Jaleswar parish until 25-6-1990, when Fr. Paul Pynadath C.M. of happy memory was appointed Parish Priest. The new Chapel at Salikotha was blessed and inaugurated on 5-2-1992. Fr. Paul Pynadath C.M. guided the destiny of Jaleswar parish until he died on 4-12-1994. From 9th December 1994, Fr. Thomas Maliekal CM is Parish Priest of Jaleswar. Fr. Thomas Maliakel too left us due to a fatal accident which he met on 14the Jan 1997 and succumbed to death on 17th 1997. Then Fr. Gerorge Mattathiliani became parish priest of Jaleswar in June 1997. In 2001 June Fr. Santhosh Kuduckanal was appointed as assistant parish priest of Jaleswar. With much joy and enthusiasm the Jubilee of the parish was celebrated on 1st Nov. 2001. In May 2002 Fr. George Mattathilani was transferred to Keonjhar parish and Fr. Santhosh Kudckaral assumed the office of the parish priest. On November 20th 2003 the first local priest from Jaleswar parish ie. Bro. Jadu Marandi was ordained a priest by Rt. Rev Thomas Thiruthalil. On Dec. I, 2003, St. James Convent School opened a hostel for the student, in their school premises.

Catholic Church, P.O. M.D. Nagar Patna, Jaleswar, Balasore. Pin - 756032