St. Antony’s Church

200 years ago, in the place where St. Antony’s Church now stands, was a small thatched chapel. Mr. J.M.P. Roche Victoria, the father of Chevalier J.L.P. Roche Victoria, helped to put up a stone-walled chapel instead of the thatched hut. People started flocking to this small chapel dedicated to St. Antony. Certain Mr. Lazar Fernando built a small mandapam in front of the chapel. Mr. T.S.X.A. Jacob brothers helped to set an altar in the chapel. When Rev. Fr. J. Augustine Fernando was the parish priest of Cathedral parish, a Church of modest size was built. On January 17, 1962, Bishop Thomas Fernando laid the foundation stone for a larger Church. On 13th August 1962, the new Parish Church was blessed by Bishop Thomas Fernando. On 3rd September 1962, St. Antony’s Church area was bifurcated from Cathedral parish and was elevated to a parish. Rev. Fr. M.G. Pragasam was appointed as the parish priest of the new parish. The Church was further extended by Rev. Fr. M.G. Pragasam, who also built the presbytery. When Fr. Cedric Peeris was the parish priest (2004 – 2009) the Church was renovated. 1984 Fatima Nagar Parish was bifurcated from St. Antony’s Shrine. 1987 St. Antony’s Shrine celebrated its Silver Jubilee 2012 St. Antony’s Shrine is celebrating its Golden Jubilee. The Succession of Parish Priests: 1. Rev. Fr. M.G. Pragasam - 1962 – 1970 2. Rev. Fr. Hermas Moduthagam- 1970 – 1974 3. Rev. Fr. Xavier Marian - 1974 – 1978 4. Rev. Fr. V. Irudayaraj - 1978 - 1982 5. Rev. Fr. John Xavier - 1982 – 1984 6. Rev. Fr. Gruz Antony - 1984 – 1989 7. Rev. Fr. D.S. Alphonse - 1989 – 1994 8. Rev. Fr. Rajareegam - 1994 – 1999 9. Rev. Fr. Antonydoss - 1999 – 2004 10. Rev. Fr. Cedric Peeris - 2004 – 2009 11. Rev. Fr. Starwin - 2009 – 2014 12. Rev. Fr. Maria Antony Savarimuthu 2014 - 2015 13. Rev. Fr. Susilan 2015 - 2020 14. Rev. Fr. Jesu Antony Amalraj R. 2020

V.E. Road, Tuticorin 628 002