After years of dedicated construction, the newly rebuilt St. Mary’s Church, part of the Mannar Cathedral Parish, was officially inaugurated on February 1.
The event, presided over by Rt. Rev. Dr. Emmanuel Fernando, Bishop of Mannar, marked a significant milestone for the historic church, which boasts a 450-year legacy.
Bishop Fernando blessed the church and celebrated a Holy Mass. The ceremony was meticulously organized by Rev. Fr. Surendran Revel, the parish priest, and attended by Rev. Fr. Christunayagam, Vicar General of the Diocese, alongside numerous priests, religious sisters, and faithful.
St. Mary’s Church holds a special place in Mannar diocese’s history as the first-ever church in the diocese. Originally established as a small thatched structure, it was later rebuilt in 1834 using coral stone. Over the years, the church underwent multiple renovations due to structural damage.
In 2013, under the leadership of then-parish priest Rev. Fr. Sathiyaraj, the late Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Rayappu Joseph laid the foundation stone for a new structure. After years of meticulous work, the current parish priest, Rev. Fr. Surendran Revel, oversaw the completion of the church.
