Coimbatore - Churches
Infant Jesus Church
One
of the most visited Churches in Coimbatore city is the Infant Jesus
Church. It was set up in 1984 to cater to the growing demands of the Catholic
families and has become a prominent church due to the belief in cures and
miraculous healing. The Church is open on most days while Mass are held on
Thursdays and Sundays.
Kovaipudur
or rather Kuniamuthur and areas South and West of Palghat Road was in the
beginning attached to the Cathedral parish. Bishop Visuwaram was searching for
a suitable site on the National Highway of this area, according to his grand
plans but he died before it was realized. It was attached to Madukkarai parish
and since 05-10-1976, Sunday mass was celebrated in a house with the large Housing
colony for the ‘Special Protection Force’ and civilian housing colonies
mushrooming all over, a site was bought by the Diocese, with the picturesque
back-drop of Vellingiri hills to the
west.
With
local contribution a small chapel was put up and blessed on 19-04-1984. Sensing
the desire of the people to have the Novena of Infant Jesus of Prague, the
weekly Novena was started on 15-08-1985. As the number of devotees was
increasing, a new church was constructed by Fr. Kulandairaj and it was consecrated
on 04-06-1987 by Rev. Bishop Ambrose. On the same day Kovaipudur was erected a
new parish with Fr.P. Irudayaraj as its first parish priest.
A
new Bell-Tower was built by Fr.P.Irudayaraj and was blessed by same Bishop
Ambrose on 08-09-1993. A temporary building for the Seminarians attending the
college course was put up and Fr.Antony Manthara was its Rector. Later it was
shifted back to the minor Seminary premises of Coimbatore.
By
the side of the church, attached parallel to it a spacious open-air hall with
overhead roofing was constructed (to accommodate the increasing Devotees.) by
Fr. Lourdhu Irudayaraj and blessed by Rev. Bishop Ambrose on 12-01-1997.
Finally a new separate presbytery was built by Fr. Lourdhu Irudayaraj and
blessed on 23-09-2001 by Bishop Ambrose and also a new Grotto was built and
blessed on 06-11-2003. A Grotto of Calvary was constructed and blessed on
15-08-2002. Fr. Dhanasekar built the stations of the cross with life like
statues in the year 2005 and it was blessed by Bishop Thomas Aquinas, Fr.
Dhanasekar with the collection from the devotees and from the parishioners has
constructed “Thottil Gebi” (cradle or cradle chapel) to encourage the parents
to lay their children in a cradle to get the special blessings of Infant Jesus.
Thousands
of people from all religious and religion visit this Shrine and receive many
blessings. On Thursday, during Novena, all those who receive special blessings
give ‘witness message’ that encourage others to have more faith in Infant
Jesus. Thanks giving letters are also offered on the feet of Infant Jesus.
Mass Timings:
·
Monday: 6.30 a.m.
·
Tuesday: 6.30 p.m.
·
Wednesday: 6.30 a.m.
·
Thursday: 11.30 a.m, 4.30 p.m. &
6. 00 p.m
·
Friday: 6.30 p.m.
·
Saturday: 6.30 p.m.
·
Sunday: 8.00 a.m, & 11.30 a.m.
St Antony's Church
The
St. Antony's Church is located at Puliakulam, just 4 kms from the Coimbatore
city. It is a very famous church where a large number of devotees arrive from
nearby places.
Originally
built as a small chapel in 1859 by Fr. De Gelis, the church is now famous and
stands tall with many facilities like separate floor for presbytery, open air
shelter, religious depot with many articles and backyard for pilgrims.
The
church is open to all irrespective of caste and religion. In fact, this Church
attracts a lot of devotees belonging to various caste, religion and language
especially on Tuesdays. On Tuesdays, four holy masses are held here, followed
by St. Antony's novena. The feast of St. Antony is celebrated every year on
13th June.
People can easily travel to the shrine, as there are frequent bus and other
means of public transport to reach here from various parts of Coimbatore
city.
Marudamalai
Temple, Dhyanalinga Temple, Eachanari Vinayagar Temple, Patteeswarar temple,
Parambikkulam, Aazhiyaar Dam, Kovai Kuttralam and Black Thunder Theme Park are
some other attractions situated in the vicinity.
As
the summers in Coimbatore are hot and humid, the best time to visit the place
is from November to March.
The
present structure was built and consecrated on 12th June 1987. The shrine draws
thousands of devotees, especially on Tuesdays irrespective of caste and creed.
On Tuesdays, 4 holy masses are held here, followed by St. Antony's novena. The
feast of St. Antony is celebrated on 13th June.
Mass Timings:
Sundays
- 5.15 am, 6.30 am, 8.00 am & 5.30 pm
Weekdays
- 6.00 am & 6.00 pm
Tuesdays
- 6.00 am, 7.30 am, 11.30 am & 6.00 pm
Contact Address:
St.
Antony’s Church,
Puliakulam,
Ramanathapuram P.O,
Coimbatore
641 045
Phone:
0422-2311298