Our Lady of Lourdes Church

Historically the town is an ancient trading center between the Roman Empire and the Tamil Kingdoms (between 2 Cent B.C. and 3rd Cent A.D) as aoman coins unearthed around here testify. The name of Pollachi (Palla = lower area -1- Achi = Pandya suffix ) also bears testimony to the ancient Pandiyan origin. It is situated at the foot of Anamalai Range of the Western Ghats, Pollachi was established as an independent parish in 1917. The old church facing the South (Raja Mill Road) started by Fr. Dignous in 1917. Fr. D.M. Antony Nathar completed it in 1920. The old church was demolished in 1976 and a new church facing North (Palghat Road) was started by Fr. F.M. Antony Muthu with the encouragement of Bishop Visuvasam. It was consecrated on 15.04.1982 by His Grace D.S. Lourdusamy, Secretary, Sacred Congregation of Propaganda de Fide, Rome. The new Bellfry was completed in 1987. A new church of Our Lady of Vailankanni at Anamali was built by Fr. Edward and blessed by Most. Rev. M. Ambrose on 13.09.1998. The presbytery was renovated by Fr. Edward and blessed on 25.15.99. In honour of 'Jubilee 2000', parish church renovation work was started and a chapel in the cemetery was built and blessed on 2. 11 .2001. The presbytery was built in 1934 by Fr. Madalainather. A new concrete roofing was constructed by Fr. Edward in 1996. Fr. CS. Madalaimuthu, rectified the leakages in the concrete roofing of the church and a permanent marble altar was consecrated on 05.03.2000. A new Grotto at the entrance of the main Paighat Road and was blessed on 02.07.1995. There is a chapel, in honour of the Infant Jesus of Prague at Aliyar, built by Fr. T. C. Adaikalam in 1959. There are also chapels at Navamalai and Sarkarpathy. To increase the income for the Diocese, a Shopping Complex was constructed by Fr. Maria Xavier Oubagaram and blessed by Bishop Ambrose on 06.09.2000 Substations: 1. Aliyar Nagar 2. Anamalai 3. Navamalai 4. Sethumadai 5. Kottur

Palghat Road, Pollachi P.O, Pollachi Tk. - Coimbatore Dt. Tamil Nadu - 642 001 - India