St. Francis Xavier Church

Mangalpur received Faith in the year 1975 with the active role played by Fr. Joseph Kizharam CM, the then Parish Priest of Mitrapur. Mangalpur remained Sub-station of Mitrapur until it had its First resident Priest in 1991. In 1978, when Fr. Joseph Kizharam was transferred from Mitrapur, Fr. Chacko Palyathil CM succeeded him both as Parish Priest of Mitrapur and in-charge of Mangalpur. He took special care of this substation and nurtured it. In 1982, Fr. Jacob Kallupurakal succeeded Fr. Chacko Playathil at Mitrapur. As the only sub-station of Mitrapur, Mangalpur received special care and solicitude from the parish priests of Mitrapur. In the meantime further contacts were made and response was received from Puntal area. In 1986, when Fr. Joseph Kureekal took charge as Parish Priest of Mitrapur, he began to give particular attention to Mangalpur and Punthal area. In 1991, on his transfer from Mitrapur, Fr. Joseph Kureekal took up Mangalpur as a separate parish and he took his residence in Mangalpur from 20th June 1991. As the First resident parish priest of Mangalpur, Fr. Kureekal began to build up the station. On 14th February 1993, the church and presbytery was blessed and inaugurated for public worship. With this there was a steady growth in the parish of Mangalpur both in the spiritual and temporal matters. However, due to a Socioreligious riot, Mangalpur church and presbytery was subjected to a mob attack and was partly destroyed. After this mob attack on the church and presbyery, when Fr. Kureekal was on leave Fr. Jacob Kallupurakal from BSSS Kuruda served Mangalpur as temporary priest-in-charge until 20th June, 1993, until Fr. Antony was appointed Parish Priest. The church and presebytery was re-established and re-blessed on 3rd December 1994, on the feast of St. Francis Xavier. He also started a hostel for the boys.Fr. Jose Aresseril, Fr.Paul Kidangan and Fr.Vijay Kiro served the parish as the Parish Priests consecutively. Presently Fr. Cyprian Lakra is the Parish priest.

Catholic Church Mangalpur, Chengha, Bhimada (via), Mayurbhanj, Pin - 757083