Arockia Matha Church , Adaikalapuram
Adaikalapuram parish was formed out of the settlement surrounding and depending on Adaikalapuram charity institute. On the 9 th of September 1862 marriage took place between three couples who had been raised by the Charity Institute. In the following year also 4 marriages took place likewise. These seven families can be called as the fist parishioners of Adaikalapuram parish. The parish was started with these seven families as well as the workers of palmera industry who came from Vadakangulam, Pottakalanvilai, kayamozhi, Eral, Udangudi, Veeramanickam, Sethukkuvaithan, Seerkaichi, Ranimaharajapuram etc. We come to know this from the notes found in the Baptismal register kept by priests like Fr. Bosan, Couchan, Rayappar and Gregory. They built a small church with Our Lady of Refuge as their patron. When Fr. Joseph Roche was the director of the Charity Institute, he laid foundation of this church on the 19 th of March 1938 . It became an independent parish in 1952. Able priests such as Antony Xavier, Irudayaraj and Amaladas worked for its construction. Finally when Fr. C. Xavier was parish priest, Bishop Ambrose consecrated the church on the 6 th of September 1990 . Fr. Benziger laid foundation for St. Antony’s grotto which was completed in the time of Fr. M.S. Antony. He also built the rectory. The vestibule and bell tower were constructed in the time of Fr. Xavier Arul Raj. Fr. R. Antony Das built the Art building for cultural performances.
Parish Priests:
Rev. Paul Bastian 1952
Directors of the Charity Institute and Parish priests of Arumuganeri served the parish from 1954 to 1964
Rev. Antony Xavier 1965-1973
Rev. Irudayaraj 1974-1976
Rev. Amaladas 1979-1983
Rev. C. Xavier 1979-1983
Rev. M.S. Antony 1983-1984
Rev. Y. Xavier Arul Raj 1984-1989
Rev. R. Antony Das 1989-1998
Rev. Cedric Peeris 1998 – 2004
Rev. Arul Kumar 2004 – 2007
Rev.Fr.Amal Raj 2007- 2008
Rev.Fr.Nelson Raj 2008-
Number of Catholics: 7060
Feast of the Patron Saint: October 7
Sub-stations: Nattaikulam
Number of Catholics: 1250
Church constructed in: 1940
Patron Saint: St. Anne
Sebastiar Nager
Number of Catholics: 450
Church consturcted in: 1984
Patron Saint: St. Antony
Religious Institutes:
St. Anne’s Convent (1968) Members:4
Educational Institutes:
Our Lady of Good health Middle School (1968) Students: 435
Sodalities:
Holy Childhood, Members: 200
Eucharistic Crusaders (women) Members: 100
Society of Don Bosco (Men) Members: 145
Society of Immaculate Conception (women), Members: 100
Society of Christ the King (Men), Members: 105
Society of Vincent de Paul, Members: 25
Holy Family Society, Members: 200
Movements:
village welfare committe
Palmera Tappers Society
Palmera sugar producers Society
Women Society
Matchbox workers Society
Men and Women Self Help Movements
