Four decades of glorious and eventful history of St. Thomas Forane Church, Jalahalli

In the Sixties and Seventies, the migrant Syro-Malabar Community residing in Jalahalli and Peenya area attended Holy Mass in various languages such as Tamil, Kannada, and English at Fathima Church, Jalahalli. With the kind permission of the then Parish Priest, they organized the first Holy Mass in the Syro-Malabar Rite at Fathima Church on August 3rd, 1981. This significant milestone continued with a monthly Mass in the Syro-Malabar Rite until the end of 1983, with the invaluable assistance of a few Priests from Dharmaram Parish, St. Peter’s Seminary, and St. Paul’s Seminary. During that time, Brother Mathew Keechira of the Claretian Seminary graciously supported the choir group.

Under the guidance of Fr. Jose Franc CMI, the Parish Priest of St. Thomas Church Dharmaram, the Syro-Malabar Community gathered on January 26th, 1984 to form the “St. Thomas Catholic Association, Jalahalli,” comprising of 20 families. This association began conducting monthly prayer meetings at the residences of various members.

On March 11th, 1984, the community, accompanied by Fr. Jose Franc CMI, met with the Claretian Fathers at Malleshwaram Seminary, seeking their spiritual assistance. Fr. George Vanchipurackal CMF, the Rector of the Claretian Seminary, assured them of their unwavering support.

On July 3rd, 1984, the community joyously celebrated the feast of St. Thomas for the first time at Claretian Seminary, Malleshwaram. The main celebrant was His Grace Mar Jacob Thumkuzhy. After consulting with the Superiors of the Claretian Fathers, His Grace appointed Fr. Mathew Keechira, CMF, as the Priest In-charge to cater to the spiritual needs of the community and to advance their efforts in establishing their own church.

Fr. Mathew Keechira celebrated the inaugural Holy Mass for the community on July 8th, 1984, on the veranda of the BEL school, followed by regular Sunday Masses held in a classroom at BEL School. On August 26th, 1984, the community conducted its first Pothuyogam, wherein they elected office bearers and council members to establish the forthcoming Parish.

Since then, the community embarked on a quest to acquire suitable land for the construction of a church. To fulfil this vision, they established the “St. Thomas Literary and Charitable Society.” Through the society’s diligent efforts, a plot of 13.5 acres was identified and an advance payment was made. As the community faced challenges in raising the necessary funds, they sought help from the Claretian Fathers. The Claretian Fathers then took up the matter and decided to purchase the entire land under their name, while allocating a portion for the Church and its development. Thereafter, the community commenced the construction of a Prayer Hall on the designated land.

On February 17th, 1985, Fr. George Nedumpalakunnel, the Delegate Superior of the Claretians blessed the Chapel, marking the occasion of the first Holy Mass in the Syro-Malabar Rite within its own premises. Fr. Mathew Keechira served as the first Priest-in-charge. By this time, the community had grown steadily, encompassing around 100 families.

On March 1st, 1989, the Archbishop of Bangalore, Rev. Dr. Alphonsius Mathias, issued a Decree establishing a new Syro-Malabar Parish named St. Thomas Church, Jalahalli under the Archdiocese of Bangalore. Subsequently, the first formal Parish Council was formed, and its first Trustees were elected. The Parish was formally inaugurated by His Grace on March 12th, 1989.

The Chapel served as a nursery (St. Thomas Nursery School), during the weekdays from 1990. From 1991 to 1992, Fr. Mathew Keechira served as the Vicar, supported by Fr. Joseph Areekkathundathil. They were succeeded by Rev. Fr. Thomas Perikilakkatt, with the assistance of Fr. George Thelliankal. It was during this period that the idea of constructing a proper Church building took shape.

In January 1992, the Parish organized a grand Bible Convention led by Fr. Mathew Naikanamparambil from the Divine Retreat Centre, Potta. This convention, held at St. Joseph’s School Centenary Grounds on MG Road in Bangalore, attracted approximately 10,000 attendees from across the city, raising awareness about the Parish among the wider Christian community in Bangalore.

From 1994 to 1998, Fr. George Kannanthanam served as the 3rd Vicar of the Parish, with the assistance of Fr. Jacob Mundiyath. They formed a Committee for Church Construction and the design of the present traditional Kerala-style church was proposed by Fr. George Nedumpalakunnel, the Provincial. Architectural firm “M/s Joe & Associates” and the construction company, “M/s Geena Constructions” were entrusted with the construction of the church. On St. Claret’s Day, October 24th, 1994, Fr. Mathew Keechira laid the foundation stone. The church construction began on March 16th, 1995, and got completed at a total cost of approximately Rs. 45 lakhs.

On August 25th, 1996, His Eminence, Cardinal Antony Padiyara, the Major Archbishop of the Syro-Malabar Church, blessed and consecrated the new Church. The event was graced by the Archbishop of Bangalore, Rev. Dr. Alphonsius Mathias, and the Archbishop of Thalassery, Mar. George Valiamattom. The Chief Minister of Karnataka at the time, Shri. J.H Patel, was the Chief Guest during the subsequent public meeting.

During this period, the membership of the parish grew to 450 families. In the latter part of 1996, two pious associations, “Mathru Jyothi” and the “Society of St. Vincent De Paul,” were formed in the Parish. In 1998, the structure of the chapel, existing in the campus was modified into a parish hall that could accommodate approximately 350 people.

From 1998 to 2001, Fr. Thomas Thanniyanickal served as the Vicar. He oversaw the construction of the Marian Grotto adjacent to the Church, which was blessed by Rev. Dr. Ignatius Pinto, the Archbishop of Bangalore.

Fr. Sojan Abraham became the 5th Vicar, serving from 2001 to 2004. During his tenure, the need to establish a separate church for the convenience and betterment of around 200 families residing in and around Dasarahalli became evident. Under his guidance and with the active participation of all the parishioners, St. Joseph’s & Claret Church was built at Dasarahalli. Mar. Jacob Thumkuzhy, the Archbishop of Thrissur, blessed the new church on February 9th, 2003. Additionally, Fr. Sojan initiated an important association in the Parish called “St. Thomas Arts, Recreation and Sports,” known as “STARS,” on September 14th, 2003. Once St. Thomas Church came under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Mandya, this association was renamed “Stars-Pithruvedi.”

Fr. James Madappatt served as the 6thParish Priest from 2004 to 2007. During his tenure, the boundaries of the Church’s land were marked, and a compound wall was constructed.

From 2007 to 2010, Fr. Thomas Manakkuzhiyil assumed the role of the 7th Vicar, with Fr. George Panthalany serving as the Assistant Vicar. During their time, the Presbytery building next to the church and the Adoration Chapel in the church’s basement were built. On February 22nd, 2009, Rev. Dr. Bernad Moras, the Archbishop of Bangalore, formally blessed both the Presbytery, “Anugraha,” and the Adoration Chapel.

On February 14th, 2010, the Parish celebrated its Silver Jubilee. Mar. Sebastian Vadakkel, the Chairman of the Commission for Evangelization and Pastoral Care of the Migrants, celebrated the Holy Mass, along with the former Vicars of the Parish. His Grace Bernad Moras, the Archbishop of Bangalore, chaired the public meeting as the Chief Guest.

From 2010 to 2013, Fr. Joseph Thoompanal served as the 8thParish Priest, with the assistance of Fr. Francis Kalampukatt. During their tenure, the installation of the traditional Flag post known as “Kodimaram” took place. The floor of the church was also augmented and beautified. Additionally, the construction of a larger Parish Hall, modifying the old structure was initiated. On January 6th, 2013, the celebration of the first priestly ordination of a member of the parish, Dn. Sunil Jose Mattappallil, took place at the Church, which was presided by Major Archbishop, Cardinal George Allencherry.

From 2013 to 2016, Fr. James Nadakkal served as the 9thVicar. During his tenure, the modern Parish Hall, with a seating capacity of 1,000 people was constructed at the cost of around 1.78 Crore. The entire area around the Church was beautified with paved tiles.

In 2015, the Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Mandya was established, extending its jurisdiction from Mysore to Bangalore and the surrounding areas. As a result, the jurisdiction of the Parish which remained so far with the Archdiocese of Bangalore, was handed over to the Diocese of Mandya.

From 2016 to 2019, Fr. Sinoj Pattathil served as the 10thVicar, with the assistance of Fr. Sabu Koottarappallil.

In 2019, Fr. Sunny Mathew Kunnampadavil took charge as the 11th Vicar, along with Fr. Sojan Abraham as the Assistant Vicar. The following year, when the country was hit by the Covid pandemic, the Parish community took various steps both at the parish and diocesan levels to arrange for food, medicines, ambulances, hospital beds, oxygen cylinders, concentrators, and burial assistance. The Vincent De Paul Society acquired an ambulance and appointed a dedicated driver to respond to emergencies in the parish as well as in the neighbourhood. The leadership and the contributions made by the parish were deeply appreciated and recognized by the Diocese.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka government allotted approximately 2 acres of land near Lakshmipura for the burial needs of Catholic churches in the locality. The allocation was shared among the parishes of Mathikere, Sultanpalaya, Dasarahalli, and Jalahalli, based on their membership proportions. A portion was also set aside for the Diocese of Mandya, which has since been allocated to smaller parishes in North Bangalore. The basic development work of the cemetery was initiated in 2021 to accommodate around 600 burials for the parish. The tombs have been available for the use of the parishioners since 2021.

In 2021, the Parish was elevated to a Forane Church. The request for elevation was made by submitting a memorandum to the Bishop, Mar Sebastian Adayanthrath led by the current Vicar, Fr. Sunny Kunnampadavil. On November 07, 2021, Bishop Sebastian Adayanthrath declared the church as a Forane Church. As a result, St. Francis De Sales Church Jakkur, Mother of Victory Church, Yelahanka, Infant Jesus Church, Bisuvanahalli, St. Mary’s Church, Bylakere, 

St. Joseph’s Mass Centre, Nelamangala, and St. Mary’s Mass Centre, Nelamangala, Josco Institutions were brought within St. Thomas Forane Church, Jalahalli. In June 2022, Fr. Joseph Thoompanal was appointed as the Assistant Vicar.

The Church in recent years has become the venue for various diocesan events such as, ‘Vachanotsavam’ held in August 2022, Pithruvedi Annual Day in November 2022, Bible Kalotsavam held in November 2022, diocesan level catechism teachers orientation in May 2023, diocesan level Mathruvedi annual day in October 2023. 

On May 18th, 2023, Vicar, Fr. Sunny ( James) Kunnampadavil CMF, was appointed as the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mandya.

What beganas a small association of just 20 families has steadily grown over four decades to become a Forane Church with  650 families. It now encompasses three parishes and three Mass centres, holding a respectable position within the Eparchy of Mandya.

Compiled by the History Committee; 

(Msgr. Sunny Mathew CMF, Inasu A L, Joseph C P, Issac P A and Jose George)