St Francis Assisi Church (Tallur) Explained

St. Francis Assisi Church
Fullname:St. Francis Assisi Church, Tallur
Other Name:Tallur Church
Native Name Lang:Konkani
Location:Tallur, Kundapur, Karnataka
Country:India
Denomination:Catholic Church
Founder:Late Rev Fr. Peter Remegias D’Souza
Status:Church
Functional Status:Active
Architect:Sandeep Almeida
Architectural Type:Modern, star-shaped
Years Built:2013
Groundbreaking:December 2013
Completed Date:2016
Construction Cost:Rs. 7,00,00,000
Capacity:500
Width:143 feet
Height:113 feet
Diameter:10800 square feet
Parish:Tallur
Archdiocese:Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Bangalore
Diocese:Roman Catholic Diocese of Udupi
Province:Karnataka
District:Udupi
Archbishop:Bernard Moras
Bishop:Gerald Isaac Lobo

Saint Francis Assisi is a Catholic church in the village of Tallur. Originally built in 1934, it was renovated during Fr. Sunil Veigas's service tenure into a star-shaped structure and re-inaugurated in May 2016.

History

Before 1929 there were no churches for local Catholics so the congregants from and around Tallur village thronged the Holy Rosary Catholic Church. Later Rev Fr. Peter Remegias D’Souza in 1928 purchased land in Tallur and simultaneously constructed a small hut. There was a plea from the congregants to set up a separate church at Tallur.[1] After this demand was approved in the parish-level meeting, the church was built in 1934,[2] and got its first-ever priest by the name of Fr. Edward Lobo.

Architect

The foundation stone for the proposed new building was laid on 20 October 2012. ‘Shilpi’ architects based in Kerala designed the church building. Sandeep Almeida from the town began to serve as the engineer. From outside this building looks like a star. The church has entrances from three sides through similar doors. The windows have been placed in such a way that they allow abundant light and air to enter the building. The building is 143 feet wide and 113 feet high with a total area of 10,800 square feet. A spacious altar has been erected. The whole church has a single fan. Glass is used in 40 per cent of the building. Modern monitor tiles have also been used. Glass has also been used for the outer walls. The flooring is made of granite slabs.

Re-inauguration

The church was re-inaugurated by Gerald Isaac Lobo Bishop of Udupi Diocese on 12 May 2016. He had also offered the first Eucharistic service in the new church. An honouring function was held after the holy mass. Vinay Kumar Sorake, the then Minister of Urban Development and District, Fr Anil D’Souza, Dean Kundapur Deanery and others attended as chief guests for the ceremony.

Association

The church hosts the local Catholic Sabha, St Vincent De Paul Organization, Franciscan Organization, Young Christian Students Association and Altar Boys Association with 18 committees.

Notes and References

  1. News: Udupi bishop inaugurates star-shaped church at Tallur. 1 September 2016. Times of India. 13 May 2013.
  2. News: Kundapur: Foundation Stone Laid for New Church of St Francis Assisi at Tallur. 1 September 2016. Daijiworld Media. 21 October 2012.