Nirmala Catholic Church
Church History
It was only on 15th July 1978, that the Guardian Angel Apostolic School was started in Keonjhar and that Fr. Paul Pynadath CM was appointed as resident Priest-in-charge.
On the following year, when Fr. Paul Pynadath was transferred to Balasore Fr. George Rathappilly took charge of the Gurdian Angel apostolic School in 1979 which was eventually closed down.
On 10th April 1985, Fr. Joseph Kureal succeeded Fr. George Rathappilly in Kenojhar. In 1986, Fr. Thomas Kottiri took charge of Keonjhar from Fr. Joseph Kureekal. On 3rd April 1988, the chapel was blessed opened at Keonjhar. On 15th June 1991, the Diocesan Minor Seminary was started in Keonjhar and Fr. Jojo Vaidyakaran was appointed Rector. On 25th June 1993, the Diocesan Minor Seminary with its staff and students were shifted to the newly built Pastoral Centre, Deepthi Bhavan, Kuruda and Fr. Kuriakose Mambrakatt was appointed Fatherin- charge of Keonjhar, who started the Tribal boys’ hostel there on 1st July 1993.
Later again it was made hostel for the poor tribal boys who were not getting educational facilities in their villages. It ran about five years. Due to some reason it was closed down.When Fr.Kuriakose was Transferred to the Minor Seminary Kuruda, Fr. Isaac Replaced him as the Parish priest in 1997 and after a year of service Fr. Isaac was appointed as the Diocesan Secrtery and Fr. Jacob was sent to the Parish as the new Parish Priest. He served the parish from 1998 to 2002 when Fr. Geroge Mattathilani was releaved him as the as the parish priest.
In the year of 2005 the doicese of Balasore decided to have a hostel for the English medium boys. When Fr. George was sent to USA for the Mission Fr. Joseph Kerketta was appointed as the parish priest of Nirmala Catholic Church on 15th May 2005.
And after few a months Bro. Biju was sent for his regency. Both of them worked a lot to start this hostel and named it Nirmala Boys’ hostel. The birth of Nirmala boys’ hostel is on 25th June 2005.
Information
Nirmala Catholic Church
P.O. Keonjhar, Dt. Keonjhar,
Pin - 758001