Fr Muller, the pioneer Jesuit priest and the founder of Fr Muller’s Hospital used to reside at Kulur. At that time, Kulur was under the Cathedral parish. Fr Muller used his bungalow as a Picnic Spot for the Jesuit priests.
In the year 1854 a small thatched hall was built at a distance of 3 furlongs from the present church. Frs Muller and Pagani used to celebrate mass here from 1855. The local Hindus burnt the hall but the Catholics rebuilt it. In 1860 government donated the entire hill to construct a church.
A chapel built in 1871 was served from the Cathedral till February 9, 1888, when it was constituted into an independent parish with Fr J.M. Masse as its first parish priest.
The new church built by Fr Santhan B.C. Lewis was blessed on April 6, 1920. A well was dug by Mr John F. D’Lima in memory of his father Santhan D’Lima on March 23, 1947. The presbytery was renovated and inaugurated on October 15, 1990 during the time of Fr J.S.T. Rodrigues. The existing belfry was also built during his time.
Fatima parish at Thannirbhavi was erected on May 16, 1950 by separating a portion of Kulur close to the coast.
Fr Lawrence Noronha began Kulur Higher Primary School in 1891 at the bungalow of Fr Muller. In 1895, he put up a small building for school. Fr Reginald D’Lima started the Kulur High School which was inaugurated by the Bishop on June 1, 1962. Fr Maurice F. D’Souza has constructed the new school building and a multi purpose hall.
Inauguration of new building of Kulur Church
St Antony Church is constructed on a small hill located on the banks of river Phalguni. When NH 66 was being widened, a landslide destroyed part of the church, making a new building necessary. A project was taken up in this regard during the tenure of parish priest Fr Harold C D'Souza and was completed at the cost of Rs 4 crore with 90% of the contributions are from the parishioners.
The new building of St Antony Church was inaugurated by Bishop of Mangalore Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza on February 3, 2014. Bishop of Bellary Dr Henry D’ Souza blessed the occasion.
The new church building includes a grotto, a belfry and a parochial house. A solemn Eucharistic celebration was also held on the occasion, where the Bishop was the main celebrant.
Parish Priests who have served in the Parish :
- Fr J.M. Masse (1888)
- Fr Lawrence Noronha
- Fr Santhan B.C. Lewis
- Fr Reginald D’Lima
- Fr J.S.T. Rodrigues
- Fr Maurice F. D'Souza (1997 - 2005)
- Fr Harold C. D’Souza (2010 - 2017)
- Fr Vincent D’Souza (Sr) (2017 - 2023)
- Fr Vijay Victor Lobo (from 2023 onwards)
(Complete list will be updated soon)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from dioceseofmangalore.com
Last updated in Dec 2023.
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