Hospet Church

Infobox Indian Jurisdiction
native_name = Hospet Church | type = Village | latd = 13.08 | longd = 74.98
locator_position = right | state_name = Karnataka
district = Dakshina Kannada
leader_title =
leader_name =
altitude = 147
population_as_of =
population_total = | population_density =
area_magnitude= sq. km
area_total =
area_telephone = 08258
postal_code = 574227
vehicle_code_range =
sex_ratio =
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website =
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The church of Holy Cross Hospet is one of the ancient church in the Mangalore Diocese of India. It is also known as Hosabettu Church. This was the only church that escaped the drive for the demolition of churches by Tippu Sultan during early 1790.

Demographics

This church is situated at a distance of 41 km north east of Mangalore, and 6 km from Moodbidri Town. Kuppepadav and Moodbidri parishes surround this church. The Hospet Church comes under village Hosabettu. Since Canara Catholics are the major dominant community in Hosabettu, sometimes parish is also referred as “ Hosabettu Church”. As of 2001 India census [GR|India] , Hosabettu had Males constitute 48% of the population and females 52%. It has an average literacy rate of 79%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 82%, and female literacy is 76%. The church is covered with a dense forest. The place is just 18 KM far from Mangalore International Airport.

History

This church existed well before 17 century. According to official documents available to Mangalore Diocese claims that this church was established on 1761. Hospet was under the rule of Jain kings for many centuries. Some documents in the ancient Jain literature shows existence of this church even before 1648. At the time of the general demolition of churches by Tippu Sultan, this was the only church that escaped destruction owing to the friendly offices of the Chauta Raja of Moodbidri.

Church of the Holy Cross, formerly known as Bidrem church. The name Hospet came after the death of Tippu Sultan (1799). The old church was repaired by Fr Jerome Paul Carvalho in 1865. Under the jurisdiction of Goa, 11 vicars had served this church. Fr Jacob Sequeira (1901-1904) was the first diocesan vicar and he was succeeded by Fr Cajetan M. Pereira. The foundation stone for the present church, designed by Fr A. Diamanti sj, was laid on October 1, 1905 by V. Rev. Frachetti sj, the Vicar General. Fr Cajetan M. Pereira (1904-1907) began the construction of the church and Fr Rosario P.B. Lewis (1908-1919) completed it and it was blessed on February 7, 1909 by Bishop A. Cavadini sj. This church is one of the first in the diocese built in Cruciform and gothic in style.

The earlier presbytery was built in 1854. Moodbidri, Shirthady, Ferar, Paladka and Taccode parishes are carved out of this parish. The present presbytery was built by Fr Cyprian Coelho in 2000. There are 9 wards in Hospet parish. Around 285 catholic families are living in this parish and total Catholic population is at around 1500. Currently around 40 % of populations have migrated to the city of Mumbai and Middle East counties.

Fr Asissi Rebello is the 21St diocesan vicar of the parish. Mr. Wilfred Mendonca is servings as vice president of the church.

See also

* Mangalorean Catholics

References

External links

* [http://www.dioceseofmangalore.org/ Official website of Mangalore Diocese]