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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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. Joachim Jacob and Joseph Mulloor ( 2004- ). Bhalua is under Jamui Deanery and according to records sent to Holy See in 2006 has 1250 catholics in 155 families.

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)

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.