Historical Background: Early Days of the Panja Mission
The regions now comprising Panja and Bellare were originally part of the Kadaba Mission. With the arrival of Dr Peter Paul Pinto at Badyar, organised missionary activity began in Panja in 1932. His medical services and humanitarian outreach significantly contributed to the stabilisation of early Christian settlements in this rural belt.
In 1933, Rev. Peter D’Sa was appointed as the priest-in-charge, earning recognition for providing pastoral care to scattered faithful and establishing an organised Christian life despite geographical and environmental challenges. Inspired by missionary efforts, Shrisanthan D’Mello of Iklam Kirem migrated to the region with his family. At the time, the faithful had to walk nearly 10 kilometres to Kadaba Church for religious observances.
Recognising these hardships, Dr Peter Paul Pinto and Santhan D’Mello erected a small prayer shed. With diocesan approval, the first permanent chapel at Panja was completed in 1953, when the Christian population had grown from four to fourteen families. The appointment of Rev. Albert G. Nazareth as the first parish priest in 1952 brought institutional stability to the Panja Mission, from where pastoral activities gradually expanded to surrounding areas, including Bellare.
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from dioceseofmangalore.com
Last updated in Jan. 2026
Related links :
- History of St Joachim Church, Kadaba
- 06-11-2021 - Golden Jubilee celebration & Blessing of the Renovated Holy Cross Chapel, Bellare
- 01-01-2026 - Bellare Becomes the 125th Parish of the Diocese of Mangalore (News - Diocese of Mangalore)
- 01-01-2026 - Bellare Becomes the 125th Parish of the Diocese of Mangalore (News - Daijiworld)
- 01-01-2026 - Bellare Becomes the 125th Parish of the Diocese of Mangalore (Video)
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