History of Our Lady of Fatima Church Perampally
Our Lady of Fatima Church, Perampally is situated in Udupi district, a coastal district of Karnataka State. Surrounded by lush greenery, the Church is about 4 kilometres away from the District headquarters and seven kilometres away from the main city of Udupi. Parishioners of the Church at Perampally are basically agriculturists. Since cultivation and agricultural products are the main source of their livelihood.
Prior to becoming an independent Parish in the year 1958, Perampally was a part of Milagres Church, Kallianpur and later that of Kolalgiri Church jurisdictionally. The Catholic faithful living in and around Perampally had to take a lot of trouble to reach the Parish Church for their spiritual needs and to fulfil their obligations. During the rainy season the situation was bad because the low-lying area around used to get flooded thereby making the people quite difficult to get out of their houses. Under normal circumstances, they had to cross a river to reach the church. The threat or danger of getting drowned in the river was always there.
A primary school was built at Perampally to start with the presence of a church activity and thereafter during important feasts, the parish priest from Kolalgiri church came over to offer holy Mass. A strong desire for an independent church and parish developed in the Catholic faithful of Perampally so in the year 1954, under the leadership of Rev. Fr Harry, they appealed to the Bishop B. S Peris of Mangalore Diocese for an independent parish at Perampally. On October, 7, 1958, permission was granted by the Bishop for an independent church and parish at Perampally. The Parish was inaugurated on the same date with a small chapel for prayer and other faithful needs.
Later, when Fr Frederick Pinto was appointed as Parish Priest of Perampally Parish, an appeal was made to the Government to provide a piece of land to build a church and the request was granted. Accordingly, a church dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima was constructed thereby replacing the chapel which until then served to spiritual needs of the Catholic faithful. Subsequent parish priests took great interest in the all-round progress and development of the Perampally Church and Parish who not only looked after the spiritual and pastoral needs of the Catholic faithful but also in their day-to-day life struggles. They gave special attention to the children promoting education and human values so that proper education would give them avenues for further growth in human life and social and financial development. Since Manipal which is quite nearby is a hub of commercial, educational and business centre, the basic educational facilities provided by the School at Perampally has become the base laying the foundation for a bright future in the lives of many a student’s of this Parish. In November 2017 a newly constructed Church was inaugurated and blessed which now stands majestically replacing the old church.
December 3rd 2000 inauguration and blessing of the new building of Infant Mary Higher Primary School by Episcopal Vicar Very. Rev. Fr. Valerian Dsouza.
A publication of parish bulletin “Perampallicho Dongor” was launched.
20th December 2008 – Golden Jubilee was celebrated of our parish. On the Occasion of Golden Jubilee of parish, “Our Lady Of Lourdes Grotto” was inaugurated and blessed by Most. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul Dsouza, Bishop of Manglore Diocese.
The Great Entrance (Maha Dwara) was built on the way to church which was blessed by Provincial Minister V. Rev. Fr. Vincent G. Furtado Ofm. Cap on 20th December 2008.
A play park for children and garden was also started at church campus. “Fatima Matha Sabha Bhavan” Hall and shopping complex was newly built.
On the left side of the great entrance a grotto of “The Miraculous Statue Of Mother Mary” was built for which was the statue of Fatima was Gifted by Custodian Of The Nazareth Shrine of Israel to The Church Of Perampally, On 25th march 2011 The statue was blessed near the Marian Well at Jerusalem and taken in procession to Nazareth were Holy Mass was celebrated by Rev. Fr. Romeo Lewis.
In front of the Fatima Matha Sabha Bhavan “Our Lady Of Fatima Grotto” was constructed ,blessed by Rev. Fr. Romeo Lewis
On 9th Februvary 2011 Foundation Stone was laid for the new church construction by Most. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul Dsouza, Bishop of Manglore Diocese.
On November 23rd 2017 a newly constructed church which now stands majestically replacing the old church, blessed by Most. Rev. Dr. Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi in the presence of Most. Rev. Dr. Peter Macado, Bishop of Belgum, Most. Rev. Dr. Francis Sarrao Bishop of Shimoga.
“Tower Of Peace” blessed by Most. Rev. Dr. Peter Machado, Bishop of Belgaum. A presbytery was built in the year 2017 which was inaugurated and blessed by Udupi Dean V.Rev.Fr. Valerian Mendonca.
A permanent Christmas Crib “Gloria In Excelsis Deo” inaugurated by Rev. Fr. Romeo Lewis on 3rd june 2018 which is the centre of attraction throughout the year for the visitors.