Infant Jesus Church is a Roman Catholic church situated in Selliampatti village, located on the Dharmapuri Palacode highway in the Dharmapuri district of the state of Tamil Nadu, India. This church is a newly established parish, separate from the Kadagathur parish, primarily serving the Catholic communities of Selliampatti and Gollapatti as its two main substations. The administration of this church falls under the jurisdiction of the Dharmapuri Diocese.^[1]

History

During the riot in Pennagaram against the Catholics, many of them scattered to various places. Some of them found refuge in Gollapatti and Selliampatti. These resilient Catholics continued their religious practices with the assistance of Kovilur MEP missionaries. In 1840, the Kadagthur Sebastian Church was built, and villagers from Selliampatti and Gollapatti began attending Mass there. For over a century, they followed the traditions of the Kadagathur church. In 1930, a new church was erected in Kadagthur in honor of the Queen of Angels. Subsequently, Saint Francis Xavier Chapel was constructed in Selliampatti, and Mary Magdalene Chapel was built in Gollapatti. These chapels fell under the administration of the Kadagthur parish, with weekly Masses held in these two chapels and Sunday Masses conducted in the Kadagthur Parish Church.^[2]

Despite the absence of a proper parish church in this village, in 1932, the Salem Diocese established a primary school in Selliampatti for the villagers, contributing significantly to the village's social development. From 1938 onwards, the villagers of Selliampatti began celebrating the feast of Saint Francis, a tradition that continues to this day. Then, in 1985, the Sacred Heart Higher Secondary School was inaugurated in Gollapatti. During this event, Salem Diocese Bishop Michael Bosco Duraisamy expressed a wish for a church dedicated to Infant Jesus in the area.^[3]

In 1999, four acres of land were acquired on Palacode's main road for the construction of this church. Initially, a primary school was built on the premises. In 2004, construction of the church began under the guidance of Fr. Xavier, the parish priest of Kadagathur at the time. Subsequently, Fr. Susairaj, the succeeding Kadagthur Parish priest, resumed the construction of the church. However, construction was halted due to unsuitable soil conditions.^[4]

Recognizing that the Kadagthur church lacked sufficient space for all its parishioners, Fr. George, Kadagthur Parish priest, advised the Diocese and the villagers of Selliampatti, Gollapatti, Valan Nagar, and Andhoniyar Nagar to construct a new church to overcome space limitations and the difficulties of traveling long distances. In 2017, the Seliampatti parish was established, separate from Karagathur parish, with Fr. George serving as its first parish priest. During this time, a temporary chapel was set up within the school building for Masses. In 2017, the incomplete church building was dismantled, and construction of the new church began on a stronger foundation. With the unwavering support of the community, the church construction was completed in 2022. On January 14, 2002, with a grand ceremony, the church was opened to the public and blessed by Bishop Lawrence Pius of the Dharmapuri Diocese.^[5]

Convents

• Congregation of the Immaculate Conception, Madurai (CIC)
• Missionary of Charity (Mother Theresa Convent)
• Cluny Sisters Convent
• Salesian Sisters Missionaries of Mary Immaculate (SSMI) Convent

Schools

• R.C Primary School
• Sacred Heart Hr. Sec. School
• Arokiya Anni CBSC School

See also

• Christ the King Church, Palacode
• Queen of Angels Church, Kadagathur

References