Kelarai was part of Cordel and Omzoor parishes until January 6, 1935. At first the services were held in a thatched shed in the compound of Mr Cajetan L. Lobo, Advocate. In 1938 a mud-wall building with a tiled roof was constructed on the plot donated by Mr Lobo. Mr A.L. Pinto of Bejai, Deputy Tahashildar, donated the plot where the present church stands.
The new parish was constituted on February 2, 1935. Fr Gratian Goveas was the first parish priest.
Fr Joseph B. Alvares, the fourth vicar, constructed a new church building in 1958. Fr Pascal Lobo celebrated the golden anniversary of the parish on February 6, 1985.
Fr Joachim Fernandes (2013 - 2018) renovated the presbytery. Fr Joseph Mascarenhas renovated the church which was blessed by Most Rev Dr Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore on February 17, 2019.
Fr J. B. Alvares built the high school building and the high school was opened in June 1972. The Ursuline sisters are managing this school.
Rev Dr Mark Castelino established St Anne English Medium School in 2008. Fr Joachim Fernandes renovated the school in 2013.
Fr Francis D’Souza constructed a complex with some shops on the ground floor and a Hall of mezzanine on the 1st floor. It was inaugurated on May 10, 1998.
Parish Priests who have served in the parish :
- Fr Gratian Goveas (1935 - first parish priest)
- Fr Joseph D'Souza
- Fr William Rebello
- Fr Joseph B. Alvares
- Fr John A P Miranda
- Fr Pascal Lobo
- Fr Francis D’Souza (1992 - 1998)
- Fr Peter Fernandes (1998 - 2002)
- Rev Dr Mark Castelino (2002 - 2009)
- Fr John Vas (2009 - 2013)
- Fr Joachim Fernandes (2013 - 2018)
- Fr Joseph Mascarenhas (from 2018 onwards)
(complete list will be updated soon)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from dioceseofmangalore.com
Last updated in Dec 2019.
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