Hospet Church

Coordinates: 13°4′48″N 74°58′48″E / 13.08000°N 74.98000°E

Hospet Church
Holy Cross Church, Hospet
Igreja da Santa Cruz Hospet

Igreja da Santa Cruz Hospet (Hospet Church) along with the Monte Mariano Church was among the few churches in South Canara that escaped the demolition drive by Tippu Sultan during the early 1790s[1]
Former names Bidrem Church
Alternative names Hospet Church,
Igreja da Santa Cruz Hospet
General information
Town or city Hosabettu (Hospet), Mangalore, South Canara
Country India
Completed 1761

The Church of Holy Cross of Hospet (Portuguese: Igreja da Santa Cruz Hospet) in Dakshina Kannada, is one of the ancient churches in the Mangalore Diocese of India. Being situated in Hosabettu, it is also known as Hospet Church. This was the only church that escaped the drive for the demolition of churches by Tipu Sultan during the Captivity of Mangalorean Catholics at Seringapatam.

History

This church existed well before the 17th century. According to official documents available to the Mangalore Diocese, the church was established on 1761. Hospet was under the rule of Jain kings for many centuries. Some documents in the Jain literature shows existence of this church even before 1648. At the time of the general demolition of churches by Tippu Sultan, this was the only church that escaped destruction owing to the friendly offices of the Chauta Raja of Moodbidri.

Church of the Holy Cross, formerly known as Bidrem Church. The name Hospet came after the death of Tippu Sultan (1799). The old church was repaired by Fr Jerome Paul Carvalho in 1865. Under the jurisdiction of Goa, 11 vicars had served this church. Fr Jacob Sequeira (1901–1904) was the first diocesan vicar and he was succeeded by Fr Cajetan M. Pereira. The foundation stone for the present church, designed by Fr A. Diamanti sj, was laid on October 1, 1905 by V. Rev. Frachetti sj, the Vicar General. Fr Cajetan M. Pereira (1904–1907) began the construction of the church and Fr Rosario P.B. Lewis (1908–1919) completed it and it was blessed on February 7, 1909 by Bishop A. Cavadini sj. This church is one of the first in the diocese built in Cruciform and gothic in style.

The earlier presbytery was built in 1854. Moodbidri, Shirthady, Ferar, Paladka and Taccode parishes are carved out of this parish. The present presbytery was built by Fr Cyprian Coelho in 2000. There are 9 wards in Hospet parish. Around 285 catholic families are living in this parish and total Catholic population is at around 1500. Currently around 40% of populations have migrated to the city of Mumbai and Middle East counties.

Fr Asissi Rebello is the 21St diocesan vicar of the parish.

See also

References

  1. ↑ John B. Monteiro. "Monti Fest Originated at Farangipet - 240 Years Ago!". Daijiworld Media Pvt Ltd Mangalore. Retrieved 2009-04-28.

External links