Metamorphosis of a church in Kokkada

St John The Baptist Church in Kokkada of Belthangady taluk, which is the oldest Church in the surrounding region and has been drawing a great number of devotees every year is all set to be demolished.

The 94-year-old structure that has served the belief of the Catholic community members for decades and is adorned for its simplicity and beauty will only remain in the memories of its devotees hereafter. 

The dilapidated condition of the building has forced the Church committee to take up a hard decision to demolish this epicentre of worship and replace it with a new building. 

The Church history

St John The Baptist Church situated in Kokkada at a distance of 75 kms from Mangalore city, was established on April 4, 1918 by Rev Fr P D’Souza for the convenience of the devotees. Several Catholic families in Kokkada, Nidle, Nelyadi and Uppinangady, during 1900 had to travel to Puttur to satisfy their spiritual need. 

Puttur, that is located 35 km away from Kokkada was the only nearby Church for them to take part in the religiouss activities. 

Therefore, in 1918, a petition was made to the Mangalore Bishop to form a separate Church and in the same year a chapel dedicated to St John The Baptist was constructed.

Despite the opening of several other churches in the region during the later years (there are at least 15 churches in Kokkada and Nelyadi regions now), the Baptist Church always sought great reverence for it is regarded as the oldest Church of the region. The number of families under this parish is 208 with approximate 1200 population. 

In fact, the Church committee also runs St Johns Higher Primary Kannada and English Medium School and an orphanage as part of its social service activities. 

Around 40 children are accommodated in the orphanage and over 300 children pursue education in its institutions.

Speaking to City Herald, Parish Priest of the Church Fr Ronald Lobo said that the Church committee has taken up the task of demolishing the Church as the building has turned old and it requires a facelift. 

“After a lot of thoughtful sessions, we have decided to demolish the existing building. The Church not only is in a damaged state, but also it has been creating a congested atmosphere with little space. It can accommodate only up to 400 people in its hall, while rest of the devotees are forced to stand outside for prayers,” he said.Estimated costHe informed that the new building will come up at an estimated cost of Rs 1.5 crore. The new Church will have a spacious prayer hall, verandah, priests’ house, office etc. 

Along with the construction of the new building, the committee has also decided to build houses for the poor and to organise educational sponsorship programmes for the poor children as part of the new work. 

However, the demolition news has evoked mixed response among the devotees. Those who are connected to the Church from several decades are quite saddened over the Church demolition news, while on the other hand they are happy that their Church would wear a new look soon.
 Mary, who works for St Joseph’s Convent run by the Sisters of Charity says that she has an emotional attachment with the Church and the demolition news had of course brought a little sorrow. 

The Church demolition work is expected to start in the first week of April and as per the plan, the new building would be completed within two years.