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Belvai was once a part of Moodbidri-Alangar church. With a view to starting a missionary centre at Belvai, Fr Francis Elias D’Souza got a government grant of 2 acres of land and bought another 5 acres of land in 1958. 10 years after his demise, a chapel was built by Fr Francis Xavier D’Souza and inaugurated on April 27, 1969. But, the regular celebration of Sunday Mass started only from August 15, 1969.
Since the cemetery of the church was located at a distance too far from the church, a small plot of land was bought later and blessed for the purpose of using it as the new cemetery block close to the church.
On June 1, 1971 this church was raised to the status of a parish. The first parish priest, Fr Francis Xavier D’Souza constructed the belfry.
Fr Gregory Serrao started the construction of the new church and the presbytery buildings in 2000 and was inaugurated on December 7, 2004.
Golden Jubilee Celebration
Golden Jubilee Celebration (1971-2021) of St. Martin De Porres Church, Belvai was celebrated on 20th April 2022. Bishop of Mangalore Dr Peter Paul Saldanha presided over the Jubilee mass at 9.45 am in the presence of Parish Priest Rev Fr Apolinaris Crasta, Dean of Moodbidri Deanery Rev Fr Paul Sequeira and other priests. The mass was followed by a Stage Program.
Parish Priests who have served in the parish :
- Rev Fr Francis Xavier D’Souza (1971)
- Rev Fr Gregory Serrao (2000 - 2007)
- Rev. Fr. William Barboza (2010 - 2017)
- Rev. Fr. Apolinaris Crasta (2017 - 2023)
- Rev Fr Joseph A. Cardoza (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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