About FatimaChurchJalahalli

The world was rife with destruction and bloody conflicts in the troubled years of the 1940's. It was the days of 2nd World War which was fought with conventional and automatic weapons. As a result of this war, thousands of soldiers were brought to forest suburban 'Jalahalli', which was called Hospital Town in military circles. Everywhere life was at a low ebb. In an almost discouraging atmosphere, a vibrant priest Rev. Fr. N. D. Joseph was appointed as the Chaplin to the military personnel in this Hospital town. He was catering to the spiritual requirements of the wounded soldiers. Father was also pastoring to the people of surrounding villages. During this time he touched a thought of catering to a parish as the Catholics were large in number.

People from other denominations like Jacobites, Marthoma, Syrian, and Protestants were also taking part in the Eucharistic celebration as there was no other church in this area. Rev. Fr. N D Joseph started celebrating mass in two places: 1) Jalahalli East and Jalahalli West- in military barracks from 1943 to 1947, for military wounded personnel in a thatch-roofed chapel. 2) BEL area- for the Italian prisoners and the village people, who were part of the hospital town, while this was carried on by Rev. Fr. N. D. Joseph, on an unfortunate day he was ill-fated to meet with an accident during his return from Goa. This mishap kept the father away from pastoral duties. Later bishop's secretary Rev. Fr. Mascareanhas replaced him. Rev. Fr. Mascareanhas was holding service once a week. Priests from Peter's Seminary also came to hold services. Rev. Fr. Jacque Mart and Rev. Fr. John Cassilina were sent to this place from 1948 to 1951 for pastoral work. In 1951 Rev. Fr. Antony Sequeira was sent here to carry out the pastoral work. The service was carried out in a thatch-roofed shelter that belonged to the EME - (Electronic & Mechanical Engineers) center. During this time there was a proposal to bring the statue of Our Lady of Fatima from Portugal to Bangalore in 1952.

The statue came to India and then to St. Francis Xavier's Church in Bangalore. This incident prompted the then Archbishop, His Grace Most. Rev. Thomas Pothacamury to name this parish as Our Lady of Fatima in 1953 and consecrated this parish.

When EME - (Electronic & Mechanical Engineers) was withdrawn from this place in 1953, the Air Force took over and the parish was asked to vacate. Fr. Sequeira ran from pillar to post, night and day to look out for an alternative place. After some time he located a spot for the construction of the church. During one night he came to a spot and prayed for the land. He buried a Rosary in that spot and prayed to our Lady to grant that land for the church construction. The land that he prayed for is the present church premises. This land belonged to the IAF (Indian Airforce) and they were reluctant to give. Fr. Sequeira approached the then Chief Minister of Karnataka, Hble. Kadidal Manjappa, who indeed went beyond his capacity and get this land for us for the cost price of Rs. 720

On the 15th of August 1955, the foundation stone for the church was laid by His Grace, Most. Rt Rev. Thomas Pothacamury in the presence of the wing commander Mehata. Fathers from St. Peter's Pontifical Seminary, Fr. Sequeira and Fr. Zuzarte also witnessed this occasion. After construction, the church was blessed and opened on 8th February 1959 by His Grace, Most. Rt. Rev. Thomas Pothacamury in the presence of a large number of parishioners and the then Chief Minister Hble. Kadidal Manjappa. The Silver Jubilee of the Parish was celebrated in February 1984. In 1985 St. Thomas Church was erected in Jalahalli Village for the Syrian Rite Community.

Fr. Sequeira purchased the land and shifted the Church from thatched roof to the present parish hall. He called the sisters of Cluny and encouraged them to run the school on the Church campus. Fr. Zuzarte built the entire church and the presbytery. He consecrated the new church and shifted from the parish hall on 8th February 1959. Fr. F. A. Pinto converted the barracks into a parish hall. Fr. Paul Lobo purchased the cemetery land and built St. Anthony's Chapel. He also laid the foundation stone for the chapel in the cemetery and extended the path until the gate. On October 10, 1981, the "Legion of Mary" was started in the parish during the time Fr Anthony Raj who was the parish priest. Now this group of women who regularly pray also visit families and do numerous works of charity reaching out to many poor parishioners. Fr. Maria Louis built the present flag stage on the church premises. During the funeral service when bodies were taken to the cemetery there was no place to keep the coffin and pray on All Souls Day. Mass was celebrated in a tent. Therefore, Fr Maria Louis put a chapel in the cemetery.

The Society of St. Vincent De Paul was established in this parish on 30th January 1984 by the then Parish Priest Fr. M. S. Maria Louis. Since then the Society has been undertaking various works of charity for the needy of the parish.

In commemoration of the golden jubilee of Our Lady of Fatima Parish, St Joseph's Industrial Training Institute for the Poor was started for the students of the neighborhood by Fr. Joseph Abraham in the year 2002. It was blessed and opened by Most Rev Ignatius Pinto, the then Archbishop of Bengaluru. Since then it has been catering to many poor students giving them an opportunity to live life with dignity.

Our Lady of Fatima church has a Rosary garden, the first in Karnataka state. It was built during the time of Fr Susainathan as the Parish Priest. Mr. Gilbert Correya was the chief benefactor of this project. It was erected in commemoration of the 90th Anniversary of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima It was blessed and inaugurated on 29th April 2007 by Most Rev Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bengaluru.

In 2009, on 23 June, the Family of Nazareth prayer group (an Italian-based prayer group) was started in Our Lady of Fatima Church, Jalahalli under former parish priest Fr. Susainathan. The group gathers every Wednesday at the Rosary Garden at 11 am, and prays the rosary for all the families, for the sick & the needy, there is Bible Sharing, Counselling, & prayers during house visits.

The centenary celebrations of the apparitions of Our Lady of Fatima were observed with the 1003 beads chain rosary recited every 13th of the month from May 2017 till October 2017, an initiative of Fr. P. Arockia Doss, the parish priest

A new stage and a watchman's house were constructed in the cemetery during the time of Fr P. Arockia Doss.

Since 2020, we have had an eminent personality in Fr. Roys who was appointed as the Parish Priest and who is working hard day and night to keep up the faith of the people. 

The Church of Our Lady of Fatima also houses four chapels promoting the Spiritual Growth of the people around.

● A Chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima was inaugurated in the year 1945, located at Ramachandrapura, and is under renovation and construction. Every Wednesday the is Mass at 6:30 PM.

● The chapel dedicated to St. Anthony was inaugurated way back in – 1945 and is located in Siddarthanagar, Jalahalli West.

● The Chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health was inaugurated in 1955 and is located in Kammagondanahalli.

● The chapel dedicated to St. Anthony was inaugurated in the year 1980 and is located in Kathan Nagar.

The quaint church in Jalahalli, once sufficient for its congregation, now grapples with a heartwarming problem: an overflow of faith. With 2,300 families seeking solace and fellowship within its walls, Sundays see pews packed and aisles overflowing. While this speaks volumes about the vibrant Christian community here, it also presents a challenge. Seating becomes a squeeze, prayers are whispered elbow-to-elbow, and community events yearn for more space. This is where the dream of a new church takes root.

Imagine a church that breathes easily, its halls echoing with hymns and joyous gatherings. A haven where every family finds a comfortable pew, where children have room to wriggle with unfettered enthusiasm, and elders can sit with supported ease. This new church wouldn't just be a structure; it would be a testament to the community's spirit, a beacon of inclusivity and warmth. Imagine its multipurpose spaces hosting not just Sunday services but also fellowship meals, youth events, and social gatherings, stitching the community even closer.

But this dream needs more than just imagination. It needs the collective support of the church leadership, the unwavering faith of the parishioners, and the guiding hand of local authorities. It needs meticulous planning, considering factors like potential locations, estimated costs, and fundraising strategies. Most importantly, it needs the voices of the community woven into its design, ensuring the new church becomes not just a physical space, but a true reflection of their needs and aspirations.

Building a new church isn't just about bricks and mortar; it's about building a stronger tomorrow for the Christian community in Jalahalli. It's about nurturing faith, fostering connection, and creating a space that echoes with the joyful sounds of a community growing together. So, let's join hands, let's share ideas, and let's make this dream a reality. Remember, even the grandest structures begin with a single step, and that first step lies in our collective belief in the power of community and faith.

Meet the team of dedicated pastors and lay leaders who are committed to serving our congregation and community. 

LIST OF PAST PARISH PRIESTS

1. Fr. Anthony Sequeir (1950 - 1955) - 5 Years
2. Fr. Zuzarte (1955 - 1968)  - 13 Years
3. Fr. Felix Aloysius Pinto (1968 - 1973) - 5 Years 
4. Fr. Anthony Pius (1973 - 1974) - 6 Months
5. Fr. Paul Lobo (1974 - 1981) - 7 Years
6. Fr. Maria Louis (1981 - 1984) - 3 Years
7. Fr. Paul Kinatukara (1984 - 1991) - 7 Years
8. Fr. Anthony Raj (1991 - 1998) 7 Years
9. Fr. Joseph Abraham (1998 - 2004) - 6 Years
10. Fr. Joseph Susainthan (2004 - 2010) - 3 Years
11. Fr. Adolf Washington (2010 - 2013) - 3 Years
12. Fr. Edward David (2013 - 2014) - 7 Months
13. Fr. Barthalomew (2014 - 2015) - 6 Months
14. Fr. Kanika Raj (2015 - 2015) - 5 Months
15. Fr. Arockia Dass. P (2015 - 2020) - 6 Years
16. Fr. Gnanamonie Roys ( 2020- )