Historic church to get new look

After six decades

The 60-year-old St Francis Xavier Church in the City will get a facelift by June, 2013.

The Church, which has been famous for its unique style of construction, is expected to get an even more attractive look. The old building of the Church, situated at Elepet West ward, was pulled down recently.

The Church is an important part of the history of Chikkaballapur district. The foundation stone was laid on August 8, 1954, by Rev Dr Thomas Pothacamury, then Archbishop of Bangalore. The construction was completed in two years.

Now, six decades later, the Church built on a western model is being given an Indian look and will stand on a larger area.

“We were all young in 1954, when the Church was constructed. The work was very important for the district then. Our families had cooperated with the idea of constructing a Church, in spite of financial and other problems. Everybody had contributed to the expenses of the construction, which, six decades back, added up to Rs 18,000. The only thought was having a building for the worship of Jesus Christ. We were all excited when the Church was ready in two years,” Thomas, a resident of the City, told Deccan Herald.

“There was no need to renovate the Church, since it was still in pretty good shape. The only concern was that it could not longer hold the increasing number of devotees visiting the Church,” he said, adding  that the old Church could hold only about 300 people. Now, the new church should be spacious enough to hold 1,000 people at least.

“There will also be a fountain and lawn on the premises. That will only add to the charm of the old Church,” added Thomas.­