Church Logo

Our History

From 1928 to Present

History of Our Lady Virgin of the Poor Church

Foundation and Early Growth (1928 – 1932) +

The town of Uppinangady, beautifully situated at the confluence of the Netravati and Kumaradhara rivers, became home to a Catholic community nearly a century ago. With great enthusiasm, a priest from Kokkada, together with Fr. Rozario Sequeira, the missionary priest of Kokkada and Uppinangady, worked for the spiritual needs of the people. Their efforts bore fruit on 23rd May 1928, when a new church was blessed and inaugurated by the bishop and was dedicated to St. Philomena.

  • 17th July 1928 – A cemetery was built beside the church.
  • 9th January 1929 – A church bell was installed.
  • 31st May 1931 – Parish priest’s residence completed.
  • 30th July 1931 – A student orphanage was built for school children.

In 1931, the Bethany Sisters established Lourdes Convent to support education. On 1st January 1932, Uppinangady Church was officially declared an independent parish, and on 8th February 1932, it was included in the Mangalore Diocese Parish Union.

Expansion of Wards and Parishes (1935 – 1991) +

Alongside parish growth, education flourished with primary schools at Alimara, Kemmara, and Uppinangady (the latter still continues). With bridges connecting regions, more areas were added to the parish:

  • 1935 – Kumaradhara River Bridge eased travel.
  • 1937 – Biliyoor ward (Nekkilady, Bollur, Biliyoor) added.
  • 1955 – After Nethravati Bridge, Karaya, Bannengala, Barya, and Saralikatte were included.
  • 1946 – Uppinangady Ward created (parish had only Valal and Biliyoor before).
  • 1957 – Hosamata Bridge shifted Kuntoor, Balya, Perabe to Kadaba Parish.
  • 1985 – Nekkilady Ward created.
  • 1991 – Barya Ward (St. Lawrence) and Ramakunja Ward (Infant Jesus) created.
Renaming and Devotion (1962 – 2000) +

From the beginning, the faithful had a deep devotion to St. Philomena. Since she was not officially recognized as a saint, the church was renamed Our Lady Virgin of the Poor Church on 14th April 1962.

In 1992, the parish revived the annual St. Philomena Feast. Education and cemetery expansions marked this era:

  • 1995 – 1.5 acres at Ninnikel allotted for a new cemetery (Valal, Ninnikel, Bannengala, Nekkilady blessed on 20th Dec 1995).
  • 2000 – Construction of a new school began.
Modern Developments (2004 – 2023) +
  • 2004 – St. Mary’s School established (expanded in 2015, 2017, with a school hall in 5th floor).
  • 2004 – Valal, Ninnikel, Bannengala, Nekkilady cemeteries completed.
  • 2005 – New residence for parish priest inaugurated; 3 rental houses built near convent.
  • 2010 – Bellipady Ward created; Mrs. Miliyan Crasta donated 12 cents of land and a house.
  • 2018 – Ninnikel Cemetery completed; automatic church bell installed.
  • 2020 – New church building and bell inaugurated on 26th March.
  • 2022 – LED façade lights installed on the church.
  • 2023 – 25,000-litre underground water tank added.

Over the years, major renovations and expansions were undertaken in cemeteries, schools, convent, priest’s residence, and parish infrastructure. New furniture, amplifiers, sound systems, and other facilities were added through generous parishioner support.