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 A G I A M U R
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St. Mary's
Church, Agiamur
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P.O. Deodand (Agiamur)
Dt. Godda- 814 133, Jharkhand
Ph. No.
06422-238169, 09431144129
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Fr. Chacko Kumpalamchira
- Parish Priest
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Fr. John Kujur-Headmaster & Asst.
P.P.
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Estd. 1969
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Originally part of Poreyahat,
Fr. Stanislaus Murmu TOR was the first resident
priest (1969-76). The Church was built by Fr. Benvenute,
TOR. Fr. Thomas Vetticad was the first diocesan
priest to be posted there. Fr. James Alumkal
followed (1993-97); then Fr. Clement Besra (1998-2002);
Fr. Chacko Kumpalamchira
(2002- ). Baptismal Register shows No. 2348; according to the annual
statistics sent to the Holy See (2006) the number of catholics
is 1750 in 350 families. Distance from Bhagalpur 90 k.m. Agiamur has produced
some priestly and religious vocations.
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B A B U M A H A L
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Sacred Heart Church, Babumahal
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P.O. Bhairoganj (Katoria)
Dt. Banka-813 106, Bihar.
Ph. No.
06425-208494, 09430426174
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Fr. Nicodemus Soren - Parish
Priest
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Estd. 1962
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There were some catholics
in the Barney area of Katoria Block at the time
of the Patna Jesuits. They were visited from Harimohra. The TOR’s bought a
Baptist Mission Property in 1962; transferring the Novitiate from Gokhla. The Church was built by Fr. Simon Engler TOR in 1965. The parish priest
listed are: Fr. Augustine Neerampuzha TOR
(1966-75) Fr. Ferdinand Nediyidath TOR (1968-91)
Fr. Paul Tudu (1971) Fr. Robert Herzer TOR (1972-77) Fr. Michael Edananapadavil
TOR (1979-80) Fr. Joseph Punnambel TOR (1979,
2007) Fr. Marion Pulichimakil TOR (1985-88) Fr.
Daniel Kisku TOR (2000-2005), Fr. Varghese (2007-
). Number of catholics 370; number of families
60. Distance from Bhagalpur 95 k.m. Out station Salabona (9 k.m.). Babumahal has had some
priestly and religious vocations.
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BACCHA
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Catholic Church, Baccha
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P.O. Siripur, Via. Mirzachawki
Dt. Sahebganj-813 208, Jharkhand
Ph. No. 09430166384
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Fr. Joachim Viegas- Parish Priest
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Estd. 1955
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It was in Baccha
that the Patna Jesuits first started work among
the Santhals. The first mud church built by them
was demolished by order of the British Government as foreigners were
forbidden to build anything in tribal lands. Later after the TOR’s took over, Baccha was
taken care of from Gokhla. Fr. Thadeus Mudry TOR was the
first resident priest who built the first priests’ house there. The church
was built by Fr. James Alumkal and blessed on
November 17, 1976. Parish priests according to the Baptismal Register: Fr.
Anthony Xalxo TOR (1959); Fr. Dionis
Kiro TOR (1959-60); Fr. Benvenute
(1964-66); Fr. Robert (1966-70); Fr. Mathew Chennatt
(1968-74); Fr. James Alumkal (1975-85); Fr.
Mathew Vettukallel (1981-82); Fr. Mani Kaippan (1982-85); Fr.
Alphonse F. (1988-95); Fr. C. J. Mathew (1995-97); Fr. John Hembrom (1997); Fr. Michael Hansdak
(2000-02); Fr. Marianus Kisku
(2003-06); Fr. Joachim Viegas (2006- ). Number of
Catholics 1612; No. of families 310. Villages 28; Mass centre (Sunday) Dhanbasaha (5 k.m.); Distance
from Bhagalpur
105 k.m. Baccha had
some vocations.
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BAROMASIA
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St.
Joseph's Church, Baromasia
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P.O. Baromasia, Via. Pathargama
Dt. Godda – 814 147, Jharkhand
Ph. No. 06437-261392
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Fr. Michael Hansda – Parish Priest
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Fr. Joseph Murmu- Asst. Parish Priest
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Fr. Daniel Soren- Headmaster, High
School
Fr. Michael Hansda- Headmaster, Middle
School
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Estd. 1930
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Baromasia was taken care
of from Godda by Fr. R. Bohn, S.J. who bought a
little piece of land where the CMC Sisters are now. In the early days no
land could be purchased by non-santhals as it was
the Damin Koh area. Fr.
Thadeus Mudry TOR built
the first residence there. The present church was blessed on 19-03-1974. Baromasia witnessed a gala show on December 8, 1962 for
the blessing of the school when Bishop Urban was carried on an elephant
round the village. Fr. Abraham was the first diocesan priest, assistant to
Fr. Simon Engler TOR and Fr. Anthony Xalxo TOR; there followed Fr. George Thymoottil, Fr. Thomas Vetticad;
Fr. Gregory Kuttickal; Fr. Michael Kallamplackal, Fr. James Valiapura;
Fr. Thomas Marandi. Number of catholics
1500. Number of families 300. Distance from Bhagalpur 85 k.m.
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BASAHA MISSION
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St. Peter's
Church, Basaha
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P.O. Mandro (Mirzachowki)
Dt. Sahebganj- 813 208,
Jharkhand.
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Fr. Paul Hansdak – Parish Priest & Headmaster
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Estd. 2007
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Originally part of Leela.
Now Fr. Paul Hansdak is in charge. The SMI
Sisters from Leela (4 of them) arrived in 2003
May 15. Catholics number about 500 in 18 villages. Distance from Bhagalpur
80 k.m.
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BASMATA
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St. Patrick's
Church, Basmata
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P.O. Basmata (Belhar)
Dt. Banka- 813 202, Bihar.
Ph. No. 09431134121
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Fr. Robert Murmu – Parish Priest
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Fr. Vijay Murmu- Headmaster &
Asst. P.P.
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Estd. 1965
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From the time he was Prefect Apostolic
Mgr. Urban used to visit Basmata on weekends and
started the mission there. On rainy days he used to leave the Land rover at
Belhar and walk some 8 k.m.
to the village in the company of two M.C. Sisters from Bhagalpur. One
Barnabas Soren of Kusaha
was first to be baptized on December 24, 1958. Many sick people were
brought to Bhagalpur
and taken care of by Mgr. Urban. As the catholics
increased a church was built there by Fr. Patrick Boland TOR who used to
carry cement bags in his old jeep. Fr. Dionis Kiro TOR was the first resident priest there followed
by Fr. Mathew Chennatt (1969-70). Fr. Mathew Kaithara who had a long innings there of nine years
(1971-79) who built the priests’ house and school and convent. Fr. Mathew Kuttickatt followed (1979-81). Then Fr. James Alumkal (1981-82) Fr. Celestine Murmu
(1985-87); Fr. Devasia M.A., Fr. Mathew Vettukallel and Fr. Mathew Athikalam
(1986-94) Fr. Jerome Minj (1994-96) Fr. Zepherius Ekka (1996-2000)
Fr. Robert Murmu (2004- ).
Number of Catholics 1200. Number of villages 20. Number of Catholic
families 225. Church blessed on 3rd September 2002 by Bishop Thomas Kozhimala. Sunday Mass on 4 villages, once a month.
Distance from Bhagalpur
75 k.m. Basmata has
produced some vocations to the priesthood and religious life. Basmata has a rare distinction of having a Bank
operating from its premises from July 1989.
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BELATANR
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St. Joseph's Church, Belatanr
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P.O. Goranji (Kharagadiha)
Dt. Giridih- 815 314, Jharkha
Ph. No. 09431532605
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Fr. Scaria Kollerette
- Parish Priest
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Fr. Masidas Soren
- Asst. Parish Priest
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Estd. 1972
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Fr. Jacob Kollamparampil
was the pioneer at Belatanr. At first he is reported
to have lived in a gun powder hut in the jungle before he built a mud hut.
Practically from the scratch in 1972 he was responsible for the
construction of the priests’ house, godown and
spacious church in 1976. From Belatanr Fr. Jacob
supervised the building of the church in Dulabitha
Harmathari and Tilkimoron.
He negotiated the purchase of the Holy Cross Sisters vast compound and
helped them initially with their construction work. He must have baptized
over 1500 people in the few years he was there. It may be mentioned that
the late Sr. Sigrid H.C. was a great admirer of Fr. Jacob and helped him
immensely with his projects. The Holy
Cross Hospital
at Belatanr is a premier health centre in the
area where Dr. Hermaginild H.C. literally brought
life back to many patients who were nearly dead with T.B. or other lethal
illnesses. Fr. Jacob was followed by Fr. Thomas Kozhimala,
Fr. Joseph Mullor, Fr. Chacko
Kumpalamchira, and Fr. Scaria
Kollerette (2004 - ). The Garhi
was separated in May 2007 with a resident priest. Number of Catholics 2500.
No. of families 500. Number of villages 50. Distance from Bhagalpur 200 k.m. Belatanr has produced
some vocations. Holy
Cross Hospital
has the distinction of producing a cheap remedy against mosquito bite
called “Mosbar” – a soap preparation which when
applied will repel mosquitos. It is patented by
the Hospital through the efforts of a Holy Cross Sister Nurse – Usha (55).
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BHAGALPUR
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Immaculate
Conception Cathedral
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P.O. Champanagar,
Bhagalpur- 812 004, Bihar.
PHONE :
0641-2500679,09430456011
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Fr. Mathew A. C. - Parish Priest
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Estd. 1783
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The oldest church in Bhagalpur
Diocese; had a resident priest from 1783. The first church built at that
time was destroyed by the earth quake of 1891. Fr. John O.C. rebuilt it in
1901 and served as a Cathedral till the present Cathedral was consecrated
by Cardinal Lawrence Pleachy S.J. of Calcutta on February
10, 1977. The old Cathedral was built by Italian artisans of Bologna as is
inscribed in the marble slabs in front. Bhagalpur has
the earliest baptismal records starting from 07-03-1892. Bishop Urban had
two great benefactors in building the Cathedral viz. Dr. Jim McConnell and
the late Mgr Francis Ackerson of Johnstown,
Pa. The old priests after the
Patna Jesuits are Fr. Acquinas
TOR, Fr. Anthony Xalxo TOR, Fr. Abraham Kadanthott, Fr. Thomas Kozhimala,
Fr. Varghese Panangatt, Fr. Celestine Murmu, Fr. Augustine Pereira, Fr. Alphonse F., Fr.
Joseph Chruchilampil, Fr. Mathew A.C. (2006- ).
The Cathedral has a floating population and is filled with the Regional
Minor Seminarians (60), Holy Family Novices, the Sisters of St. Joseph, MC
Sisters, and St. Ann’s
Sisters besides the school teachers, inmates of Nirmal
Hriday and Shishu Bhavan. Local catholics may
be about 500. Sr. Celestine Quadros is the only
vocation from Bhagalpur.
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BHAGALPUR
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St. Benedict's
Church
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1, M.G. Path,
Bhagalpur – 812 001, Bihar.
PHONE :
0641-2401126,09431214663
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Fr. Jose P.K. - Parish Priest
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Fr. Henry Rodriguez – Asst. Parish Priest
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Estd. 1970
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The property at Kutchery
Chowk was known as Shanti
Niwas and bought by the diocese on 17-11-1966.
The old building was renovated and called St. Benedict after the name of an
American benefactor who paid for it. From 1968, the Chancery Office was
started there as well as the parish church which was only a small room on
the ground floor. Fr. Sebastian Aykara was the
first diocesan priest who left to join the CNI. Fr. Thomas Ananiurumpil TOR followed but he also left. Fr. Thomas Puthukary TOR stayed there for 2 years (1969-70) while
pursuing his MA course as well as teaching in the minor seminary at Champanagar. Fr. Thomas Thanni
became procurator and parish priest in 1971. The new church was blessed by
Fr. Gregory Kuttickal, Administrator and Vicar
General in 1975. Number of Catholics 840 (The number fluctuates during
holidays as students and teachers go on vacation). About 70 families are
regular.
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BHALUA
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Catholic Church, Bhalua
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P.O. Bamdah
Dt. Jamui – 811 303, Bihar.
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Fr. Augustine Hansda - Parish Priest
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Fr. Thomas Murmu - Asst. Parish Priest
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Estd. 1988
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Bhalua was part of Chakai parish. Fr. Paul Kundorpally
built the mission complex consisting of school, convent, the hostels and
the church which was blessed on November 28, 1988. Fr. Thomas Kurungatt was the first resident priest. Then followed
Frs. Cornelius Tete, Mathew Kuttickat ,Joachim
Jacob and Joseph Mulloor. Bhalua
is under Jamui Deanery and according to records
sent to Holy See in 2006 has 1250 catholics in
155 families.
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CHAKAI
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Sacred Heart Church, Chakai
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P.O. Chakai
Dt. Jamui-811303
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Fr. Stephen P. K. - Parish Priest
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Fr. Masih Tudu
- Headmaster & Asst. Parish Priest
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Estd. 1928
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Frs. Westropp
and Miller were the pioneer Jesuits at Gajhi and Chakai from 1928.
But it was Fr. John Morrison, S.J. who was there for about 25 years from
1944. He was expelled by the government as persona non grata
in 1969. The church built by Fr. Morrison was blessed by Bishop Augustine Wildermuth S.J. of Patna in 1971.
The Chakai
Church is the only church in Bhagalpur
built in solid stones of Munger. Baptismal
Registers record the names of Frs. John Morrison S.J. (1944-69) D. T. Rice
S.J. (1958-59) Joseph Briffa (1961-62) Dionis Kiro TOR (1972-73).
Fr. Scaria Kollerette
was the first diocesan priest (1972-73); Fr. Gregory Kuttickal
(1972-79) Fr. Joseph Mulloor (1981-82) Fr. Paul Kundorpally (1982-88) Fr. Mathew Kaithara
(1989-92) Fr. James Koorkakalla (1992-98) Fr. Rayappan (1998-99) Fr. George Vanmelil
(2000) Fr. Simon Kujur (2002- ). Number of
Catholics 1494 in 30 villages. Catholic families 300. Village Masses in Pojha, Gadhura, Badgunda. It may added that it was in Badgunda village that Bro. Joseph S.G. (62) lived alone
in a mud building along with Sr. Manju of the
Holy Cross from 1990 for ten years with the approval of Bishop G. Saupin S.J. of happy memory. Bro. Joseph was a
Provincial for two terms (1974-80). Badgunda is 20 k.m. off the main Chakai-Giridih road. Bro. Joseph was run down at
the end of the experiment ‘Kenosis’ (Phil 2:7-8) is really Greek to many of
us priests and religious but glory comes only after the cross. Chakai has many educated people with jobs in the
railway, armed forces, and other fields. The Jesuits used to send many boys
to Krist
Raja School
in Bettiah for their High Schools getting an
early start in life. Many priestly and religious vocations have come from Chakai. Thanks to the prayers and penance of the Jesuit
pioneers one of whom is said to have gone to bed on an empty stomach
because he had no means to buy any food. (Ref. to Fr. Miller)
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C H A N D A N A
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St. Stephan’s
Church, CHANDANA
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P.O. Chandanahat ( Saraoni Bazar)
Dt. Godda – 814 157, Jharkhand
PHONE :
06422-288159, 09430166385
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Fr. Marianus Kisku
- Parish Priest
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Estd. 1988
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A sub-station of Damruhat,
separated on 1st June 1988 and Fr. Stephen P.K. started living there by the
side of the church built by Fr. Peter Goveas. The
new residence and school were built by Fr. Stephen. The Holy Cross Sisters
have a big complex in Chandna. The Parish Priests
are as follows : Fr. Stephen P.K. (1988-98), Fr.
N. M. Thomas (1990-96), Fr. Jerome Minj
(1999-2000); Fr. Mathew Kuttickatt (2000-05), Fr.
John Hembrom (2005); Fr. Stephen Hembrom (2006), Fr. Marianus Kisku (2006- ). Number of Catholics 1000; village 13;
Families 200. Distance from Bhagalpur 95 k.m.
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CHARKAPATHAR
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St. Theresa's
Church, Charkapathar
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P.O. Charkapathar (B-Deoghar)
Dt. Banka - 814 114, Bihar.
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Fr. Joseph Cheruchailampil - Parish
Priest
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Estd. 1959
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The church property was bought from the
Baptists in 1954. Fr. Alex Bombera TOR started
living here from that time until his house of straw was burnt in a fire
after 2 years. There were catholics in Nowadih nearby where the Patna
Jesuits had a small settlement which is still in our hands. The church was
blessed by Bishop Thomas Kozhimala on 27-06-2006.
The Holy Family Sisters from Trichur started
there ‘mission experience’ on February 10, 1964. The Parish Priests listed
are: Fr. Maurice Buckley TOR (1962-63), Fr. Alex Bombera
TOR (1963), Fr. Abraham Kadanthott (1968-70), Fr.
Paul Kundorpally (1972-76); Fr. Mathew Chennatt (1978-80), Fr. Alex Pichakappally
(1981-82); Fr. Clement Besra (1984-88); Fr. Ruben
Soren (1989); Fr. Daniel Kisku
TOR (1997-2000); Fr. John Hembrom (2000- ).
Number of Catholics 500; families 100; villages 40. Distance from Bhagalpur
80 k.m. Charkapathar
has a number of religious vocation and one priest from the soil.
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CHIRKEE
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St. Peter's
Church, Chirkee
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P.O. Pirtand
Dt. Giridih-825 198, Jharkha
PHONE : 06558-231275, 09431144126
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Fr. Michael Kallamplackal - Parish
Priest
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Estd. 1976
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There is mention of one Fr. Benni S.J. residing in Pirtand
in 1935. The Australian Jesuits used to visit Naokonia
and Chalkari in the 1960’s. It was Fr. Scaria Kollerette who got
some land in Chirkee in 1975 and built the Clarist Sisters Convent in 1976. Fr. Augustine Neerampuzha TOR was the first resident priest who lived
in a garage and later built a small house with a tin roof. Fr. Fabian Kunnappally TOR followed Fr. Abraham Kadanthott was the first diocesan priest at Chirkee from 1983-85. Fr. Julius followed. The priests’
residence was built by Fr. Abraham with help received from the Holy Cross, Hazaribag and from the Holy See. The church was blessed
on the Feast of St. Peter & Paul on 29-06-1964. Fr. Julius followed in
the capacity of parish priest until he was made V.G. by Bishop G. Saupin S.J. Chronologically the Parish Priests were:
Fr. Augustine Neerampuzha TOR (1976-79), Fr.
Fabian Kunnappally (1980-82), Fr. Abraham Kadanthott (1983-85), Fr. Julius Marandi
(1985-1989), Fr. Jerry Barboza
(1990-97) Fr. Michael Kallamplackal (1997- ).
Fr. Michael has built a separate hostel for boys and multipurpose hall for
large gatherings on Feast Days, a top storey on the priests’ house with
extra rooms for guests. Number of catholics 1800.
Number of villages 50; distance from Bhagalpur 206 k.m. Number families 330. Chirkee
is the last mission parish Bhagalpur has on the Hazaribag border and is under Naxalite
threat. But Fr. Michael is holding the fort bravely and he is known as the “ Loha Singh” from his
seminary days.
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DAKAITA
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St. Clare's
Church, Dakaita
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P.O. Lalmatia Colliery
Dt. Godda- 814 154, Jharkhand
PHONE
: 06437-251097, 09431134148
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Rev. Fr. John Marandi - Parish Priest
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Fr. John Hembrom (Jr.)- Asst. Parish Priest
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Fr. Xavier Hembrom- Headmaster
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Estd. 1950
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Dakaita was a
sub-station of Gokhla. Fr. Alex Bombera TOR was the first resident priest in the early
1950’s. The present church was blessed on October 28, 1977. The priests’
house was built by the late Fr. Jacob Kollamparampil.
The Parish Priests as per record: Fr. Alex Bomberra
TOR (1960); Fr. Peter Busch TOR (1963-68), Fr. Placid Vazhappally
TOR (1966), Fr. Theodore Baa TOR (1966-70) Fr. Conrad Kunnappally
TOR (1968); Fr. Anthony Xalxo TOR (1969-72); FR.
Ferdinand Nediadeth TOR (1972) Fr. Thomas Kozhimala (1972-79) Fr. Anthony Xalxo
(1979-80), Fr. Jacob Kollamparampil (1980-82);
Fr. Joseph Cheruchilampil (1982-83); Fr. Joseph Vetticad (1983-85); Fr. Simon Kujur
(1985-88); Fr. Gregory Kuttickal (1988-92); Fr.
Thomas Marandi 1992; Fr. Gregory Kuttickal (1996-98); Fr. James Valiapura
(1999-2000); Fr. Alphonse F. (2000-02); Fr. Celestine Murmu
(2003- ). Number of Catholics 4000; families 525; villages 100.
Sub-station: Taljhari, Jhirli,
Simra, Mohanpur.
(Sunday Mass every 2 weeks) It may be noted that Sri. Peter Marandi of Simra was an M.P.
at the time of Nehru. Dakaita had many vocations
to the priesthood and religious life. The Lalmatia
Colliery of Raj Mahal
Hills is the biggest coal mine in Asia. By
luck they did not detect any coal where the church and convent and the
school buildings are situated!
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DAMBRUHAT
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Krist Raja Church, Dambruhat
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P.O. Dambruhat (Poreyahat)
Dt. Godda- 814 153, Jharkhand
PHONE : 09431612543
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Fr. Stephen Hembrom - Parish Priest
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Estd. 1982
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Damruhat was a substation
o Kathibari for a long time till Fr. Anthony Xalxo TOR was appointed Father-in-Charge. But Fr. Xalxo did not stay there very long. Fr. Jacob Kollamparampil started work in 1982, built the school
and church which was blessed on November 20, 1983. Fr. Jacob died a
premature death at the age of 41 on November 24, 1984 of cerebral malaria.
His funeral on the Feast of Christ the King was the most mournful funerals
ever witnessed at Bhagalpur. His Sister, a St.
Joseph Nun from Bhopal
came after the burial but she would not rest until the grave was dug up to
say good bye for the last time. The Parish Priests in order of entries: Fr.
Jacob Kollamparampil (1982-84), Fr. Peter Goveas (1984-88); Fr. Paul Kundorpally
(1988-97); Fr. Alex Pichakappally (1990-91); Fr. Mani Kaipan (1997-98); Fr.
Ruben Soren (1998-2005); Fr. Albinus
Murmu 2005; Fr. Stephen Hembrom
(2005- ). Number of Catholics 1500; families 300; number of villages: 30.
Distance from Bhagalpur
105 k.m.
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