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In 1682, when Maratha King Sambhaji invaded Goa, some Catholic families fled from Bardez in Goa, to a place called Gaddai, Athyadka and began residing there. In about 1870, Fr. Vaz constructed a chapel here. Originally a part of Agrar Church, the chapel was served from there. During the Goa-Verapoly controversy, some families seceded from Agrar Church and built a small chapel at Gaddai, a village at the foot of the rock fortress Jamalabad. As Athyadka was malaria-prone, the chapel was abandoned in 1890. Fr. Pascal Mascarenhas constructed a thatched chapel at Belthangady. It was pulled down to make way for a stable structure and a temporary church built adjoining the presbytery served for nearly 10 years. This was served from Taccode for some time. There were many Christian officers at Belthangady who helped Fr. Mascarenhas to get a plot.
In 1908, Fr. Piadade D’Souza constructed a new church. Fr. Clifford Dsouza constructed the new parochial house in 1982. Fr. Gregory Dsouza built a chapel at Charmadi. On 10 August 1939, Fr. John G. Pinto established a chapel at Bangady (Indubettu), which became a parish later. Arva (Aladangady), Indubettu and Naravi parishes were carved out of Belthangady. Fr. Rosario Fernandes extended the church.
The centenary celebrations were held during 1985 when Fr. Henry Machado was the parish priest. As the 2nd church building was more than hundred years old and too small to accommodate the present population, the parish assembly had decided to construct the new spacious church together with presbytery and a belfry. The estimated cost of the project is 3 crore rupees. The post-centenary silver jubilee of Holy Redeemer Parish was held on the same day with inauguration of the present church building, that is on May 3, 2012 during the tenure of parish priest Fr. James Dsouza.
Being located near Jamalabad Fort, built by Mysore ruler Tippu Sultan, this church has a history of more than 125 years. It is a testimony of Christians who sustained faith despite the atrocities of Tippu Sultan. The martyrdom of around eight hundred Christians inspired the faithful to lead a life centered on Christian values.
Significance
Beltangady parish was the parent church for parishes in Naravi, Arva, Venur, Badyar, Indabettu and Ujire except Madanthyar, Nala and Nainad parishes in Beltangady deanery. Both Jesuit missionaries Fr Corty and Fr Gaviraghi Jiyelli served as parish priests at this parish, covering far-flung villages either by foot or horses to serve the spiritual needs of parishioners. Dr P P Pinto, a medical practitioner in Badya and his compounder who became a secular priest and later served as Bishop Dr Raymond D’Mello were the famous personalities of Beltangady parish at that time.
St. Theresa High School was begun by Fr. Elias P. Dias on 1 June 1965. The nuns of Ursuline Franciscan Congregation are teaching at St. Theresa Composite Pre University College that belonged to the parish. They are also engaged in social service, helping the poor, and counselling the troubled families. St. Theresa High School is also run by the same nuns of Ursuline Franciscan Congregation.
Fr. John G. Pinto started a primary school at Belthangady. Fr. Rosario Fernandes constructed the new school building in 1949. Both Holy Redeemer Kannada Medium School and English Medium Schools are running well.
The papal envoy to Ivory Coast, Archbishop Dr Ambrose Madtha, who died in an accident at Ivory Coast, was buried in the church on 15 December 2012, with nearly 3,500 people in attendance. The funeral mass was led by Apostolic Nuncio of India Salvatore Pennacchio with bishop of Mangalore Dr. Aloysius Paul Dsouza as the concelebrant.
Administration
23 priests had served Belthangady parish till 2015. Among them Fr. Albert Pinto served the parish for 16 years and reached out to Malayali parishioners living in far-flung villages of Charmadi, Neriya, Thotattady and neighbouring villages and covered several miles on bicycle in order to serve their spiritual needs by offering Holy Mass in Malayalam.
Fr. Elias P. Dias was a zealous priest who served the parish for seven years. He opened St. Theresa Girls High School as he believed that women empowerment begins with education. The nuns of the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation were entrusted with the duties of managing the school. Later St. Theresa Girls High School changed to co-education and changed the name to St. Theresa High School. Fr. E. P. Dias was the first priest at the newly set up parish in Ujire, about 6 km from Belthangady parish, and instrumental in setting up Anugraha Education Institution in Ujire.
Fr. James Dsouza, an energetic priest served as the 23rd parish priest at Belthangady from 2007 - 2014. During his tenure, the current church was built for the cost of 3.5 crores rupees. He is the guiding force to celebrate post centenary silver jubilee celebrations with pomp and gaiety.
Post-centenary silver jubilee celebration
The inauguration and blessing of the new church and grand finale of the post-centenary silver jubilee of Holy Redeemer parish was held on May 3, 2012.
Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza of Mangalore inaugurated and blessed the new church and belfry. Bishop Dr Gerald Isaac Lobo of Shimoga inaugurated the Jubilee memorial hall. Ivory Coast Archbishop and Apostolic Nuncio Fr Ambrose Madtha concelebrated the Eucharistic celebration along with Bishop Dr Aloysius, Bishop Gerald, parish priest Fr James D’Souza and other clergy.
Fr. Bonaventure Nazareth was the 24th serving priest at this parish (2014 - 2020).
Currently, Fr. Joseph Cardoza is serving as the parish priest from 2020 onwards.
Current structure
The new church was built at a cost of Rs. 3.5 crore and the parishioners offered 15000 voluntary man hours thereby contributing Rs. 30 lac in this regard. A new bell weighing 450 kg (990 lb) was imported from Italy in addition to the bell weighing 50 kg (110 lb) that was earlier imported from France , are mounted in the belfry. The new bell was donated by a local donor.
Parish Priests who have served in the parish :
- Fr. Piadade D’Souza
- Fr Faustine Corti
- Fr Gaviraghi Jiyelli
- Fr. Albert Pinto
- Fr. John G. Pinto
- Fr. Rosario Fernandes
- Fr. Gregory Dsouza
- Fr. Elias P. Dias
- Fr. Clifford Dsouza
- Fr. Henry Machado
- Fr Lawrence B. D'Souza (1995 - 2002)
- Fr Gerald D'Souza (2002 - 2007)
- Fr. James Dsouza (2007 - 2014)
- Fr. Bonaventure Nazareth (2014 - 2020)
- Fr. Joseph Cardoza (2020 - 2023 )
- Fr Walter Dmello (from 2023 onwards)
(Complete list will be updated soon)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from Wikipedia
Last updated in Dec 2023.
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