History of St Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle
The parish of Moodubelle (popularly known as "Belle") has a rich history spanning well over a century of faith and community. The seeds of this parish were sown in 1888 when Fr Gregory Anthony Menezes, recognising the spiritual needs of the Catholic families in the area, constructed the first chapel dedicated to St Lawrence at Moodubelle.
Establishment as an Independent Parish
For many years, the faithful of Moodubelle were under the pastoral care of Shirva Parish. On November 2, 1910, Moodubelle was formally carved out of Shirva Parish and established as an independent parish. The honour of being the first parish priest fell to the Reverend Fr Casmir Fernandes, who guided the fledgling community with zeal and devotion.
The Church Building
The present church building was constructed and blessed in 1918, providing the growing Catholic community with a worthy house of worship dedicated to St Lawrence, the courageous martyr-deacon. Over the decades, the church underwent several renovations and expansions to accommodate the growing congregation.
Growth and Development
The Kanajar Chapel, serving the faithful in the outlying area, was built in 1932 to bring the sacraments closer to Catholics in that region. St Lawrence High School was established in 1959, fulfilling the Church's mission in education and providing quality Catholic education to the children of the parish and neighbouring areas. A pre-university college was opened in 1981, further extending the educational apostolate of the parish.
The New Church
A magnificent new church building was inaugurated in 2005, a testament to the faith and generosity of the parishioners and the Moodubelle Catholic diaspora worldwide. This splendid edifice stands as a beacon of faith in the Udupi district.
Parish Centenary
The parish celebrated its centenary — 100 years as an independent parish — in 2010 with great joy and thanksgiving. The centenary celebrations brought together parishioners from across India and abroad to give thanks to God for a century of faith, service, and community at Moodubelle.
Recent Developments
The new parish hall, Souharda Soudha, was completed in 2018, providing a modern multipurpose venue for parish events, community functions, and social gatherings. The hall has become an important centre for parish life.
Current Parish Priest
The current parish priest is Fr George Thomas D'Souza, who has been serving the parish since July 2021. He is the 13th Parish Priest in the history of St Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle, continuing the tradition of dedicated priestly service to this faith community.
Parish Priests of St Lawrence Church, Moodubelle
- Fr Casmir Fernandes (1910 – First Parish Priest)
- And the succession of parish priests who have faithfully served the community through the decades...
- Fr George Thomas D'Souza (July 2021 – present, 13th Parish Priest)
St Lawrence Parish, Moodubelle, stands today as a vibrant community of faith, united in the love of Christ and the intercession of its patron, St Lawrence the Deacon and Martyr.