Diocese of Ootacamund
Eight parish communities serve Anthiyur and its surrounding villages in Erode district.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Umareddiyur was separated from St Ignatius Church, Budapadi and was erected as new parish on 5 June 2016 with Rev. Fr Jerome as its first Parish Priest.
Urachikottai was a sub-station of St Mary’s Parish, Bhavani. It was erected as a separate parish in 1987 with Rev. Fr S. Antonysamy as its parish priest. A new Church was built in 2008 by Rev. Fr Pascal Jaganraj.
In 1981, the church was built by Rev. Fr P.J. Mathew. Until 1982, Budapadi was part of St Joseph’s parish Chinnapallam. In 1984 it became an independent parish under the zealous foresight of Rev. Fr Jean Nouet MEP.
A church was constructed in Chinnapallam already in 1866 by Rev. Fr Pageault. It was made a separate parish in 1954 with Rev. Fr C.A. Antony as its first parish priest. The present church was constructed in 1982 by Rev. Fr P.J. Mathew.
In 1977, the present church was constructed by Rev. Fr George Inchiparambil. The church was renovated in 1980 in remembrance of the silver jubilee of the Diocese of Ootacamund. In 1993, this became a sub-station to St Michael’s Church, Michaelpalayam. In 2007 St Jude’s Church was declared as a new parish with Rev. Fr Maria Benzingar as its first parish priest. In 2013, the renovation of sanctuary and the altar took place.
Bhavani was a sub-station of St Joseph’s parish Chinnapallam. It became a separate parish in 1968. Rev. Fr Sebastian Palattil was its first parish priest. In 2000, a new church was constructed and blessed.
In 1888, a new sub-station was opened by Rev. Fr Berthon and the place was called Michaelpalayam. In 1942, it was made a separate parish with Rev. Fr Kosche as its first parish priest. The present church was constructed in 1958 by Rev. Fr E. Fernandes and it was renovated and extended in 2003.
The village of Nagalur was a sub-station of St Francis Xavier’s Church, Peria Kodivery. In 1849 Rev. Fr Berthon built a church. In 1926 Rev. Fr Dominic renovated and extended this church. In 2009, the church was renovated.