Location :
The Catholic Church in Basrur dedicated to 'St. Philip Neri' belongs to the diocese of Udupi and is located 6 kms from Kundapur, the nearest town.
History :
It is said that the church was built by the Portuguese in the 15th century. During Portuguese rule, this place was a port known as Barcelore. In 1543, the Jesuits had established themselves in Goa and came to Barcelore in 1570, built a church named 'Nostra Senora de Rosario' and also a hospital. The Jesuits were succeeded by the Theatines. Dr Alexis de Menezes, the Archbishop of Goa visited this church in 1599.
In 1682 Rev Fr Joseph Vaz (now Saint), the then Vicar Forane of Canara repaired this church and offered Mass here and was its Vicar too. He built two new churches, one at Kundapur and the other at Gangolli. The Christians were a flourishing community under the privileges and also the grants of land obtained from the Bednore Rajas.
But when Tipu Sultan became the ruler of Mysore, he used to hate Christians. He came to the coast in 1784 and destroyed almost all churches and took Christians to prison. The Basrur church was also destroyed. There are instances of the devotees giving up their lives due to strong belief in Christ.
Later, Fr Remigius D’Souza of Kundapur started the construction of the new church on November 18, 1924 in the name of St Philip Neri. It is said that the priests of the congregation of St Philip Neri had offered Mass here for 30 years and hence St Philip Neri was chosen as the patron saint. Fr Remegius completed the edifice dedicated to St Philip Neri in 1927. Bishop Paul Perini sj, blessed it on September 27, 1927.
Fr Alphonsus Maria Liguory D’Souza took charge as the first parish priest on April 20, 1930. Later Fr Willian Rebello took charge as the parish priest and served till 1943.
Fr Raphael D’Silva built the Grotto and renewed the church roof. Fr Aloysius Rosario (1948-1959) constructed the belfry. Fr Placid Pereira constructed the presbytery in 1966.
Fr Joe Mary Shenoy erected two chapels dedicated to St Anthony, one at Kandlur in 1974 and the other at Kerekatte on March 15, 1977. Asphalting of the church road was done during the time of Fr Remigius Aranha (1984 - 1991). He also provided a cemetery at Kandlur.
Fr Archibald Albuquerque (1991 - 1997) built the present new church which was blessed on November 05, 1996.
St Antony's Shrine, Kerekatte :
For nearly 3 centuries, the people of Kerekatte have been venerating a small wooden statue of St Anthony. In 1940-41 the then Bishop Victor Fernandes permitted the building of a modest structure for a shrine ('gudi') for the statue of St Anthony. He also entrusted this Shrine to the care of Rev. Fr Aloysius Rosario, the parish priest of Basrur. Fr Placid Pereira built a prayer hall with tiled roof for Mass in 1967.
Fr Joe Mary Shenoy is responsible for renovating this sub-station and erecting a 13 feet high statue of St Antony on March 15, 1977 under the guidance of then Bishop Basil S. D'Souza. A local stone sculptor carved this statue which was erected facing the road and the Shrine.
The chapel was served by Basrur Parish for a long time. On June 13, 2013, it was officially proclaimed the holy shrine for Udupi Diocese.
About School :
In 1930 Fr Alphonsus M L D’Souza started RC school. Fr Placid Pereira who came later upgraded the school to Higher primary school. An open air stage to the church school was built by Fr Joe Mary Shenoy.
On the occasion of the 5th birth centenary of St Philip Neri and to fulfil the long felt need of the people of the locality, the parish council decided to start a Central Syllabus English medium School in Basrur.
The Inaugural of St Philip Neri Central School (CBSE) :
It was a day of joy and honor for the parishioners of St Philip Neri Church, Basrur and the people around as the St Philip Neri Central School under CBSE took off in a grand opening ceremony on 2 June 2015. Bishop Dr Gerald Lobo invoked God’s choicest blessings on this new mission in the Education arena.
Mr Philip D’Costa and fly of Koni, who is the major donor of the school building inaugurated the new School building. V. Rev. Fr Anil D’Souza, the dean of Kundapur deanery blessed the new school bus. Rev. Dr Lawrence D’Souza, the Secretary of CESU launched the school logo. Honourable minister of Karnataka State Government for Urban Development Vinay Kumar Sorake released the school magazine and wished everyone the very best.
Bishop Dr Gerald Lobo, Sri Vinay Kumar Sorake, Mr Philip D’Costa, Rev. Fr Lawrence C. D’Souza, V. Rev. Fr Anil D’Souza, V. Rev. Fr Valerian Mendonca, Sr Christella and others were the revered guests who wished well for this new venture of Rev Fr Vishal Lobo, the Parish Priest and the Parish Community.
Parish Priests who have served in the parish :
- Fr Alphonsus Maria Liguory D’Souza (1930 - first parish priest)
- Fr Willian Rebello (... till 1943)
- Fr Raphael D’Silva
- Fr Aloysius Rosario (1948 - 1959)
- Fr Placid Pereira
- Fr. Joe. M. Shenoy (... till 1980)
- Fr Remegius C.M. Aranha (1984 - 1991)
- Fr Archibald Albuquerque (1991 - 1997)
- Fr Gerald Pinto (1997 - 2002)
- Fr Xavier Pinto (2004-2011)
- Fr Vishal Lobo (2011 - 2018)
- Fr Charles Noronha (2018 onwards)
(Complete list will be updated soon)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff
Last updated in Dec 2018.
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