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.
Establishment of Bellare Chapel
As the Panja Mission grew, a Catholic community began to emerge in Bellare. The faithful still had to travel around 15 kilometres to Panja for worship, prompting the need for a local prayer centre. In 1971, during the tenure of Rev. Ligory Hilary Sanctis, the first Mass was celebrated at the residence of Benjamin D’Souza and Ignatius D’Souza of Palthady. This Mass was held once every fifteen days for nearly a year, laying the foundation for organised worship in Bellare.
Subsequently, a permanent church was planned on 3.29 acres of land. Under the leadership of the late Joseph Pinto, construction commenced in 1971. His personal commitment and tireless fundraising efforts, coupled with diocesan financial support, ensured the progress of the project. During the tenure of Rev. Marian Pinto, the chapel construction was completed, and regular Sunday Masses began. The chapel was officially recognised under the Panja parish and dedicated under the patronage of the Holy Cross.
Infrastructure Development and Clergy Residence
Between 2007 and 2014, during the tenure of Rev. Santosh D’Souza as parish priest of St Rita’s Church, Panja, significant infrastructure development took place. Recognising the need for a permanent residence for priests, construction of a clergy house adjacent to the Bellare chapel began in June 2012 and was completed in May 2014. The building was inaugurated on May 23, 2014, by the then Bishop of Mangalore, Most Rev. Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, further strengthening administrative and pastoral facilities at Bellare.
Administrative Autonomy and Recent Developments
May 31, 2018, marked a major administrative milestone when Bellare Holy Cross Chapel was granted autonomy in pastoral and administrative matters. While enjoying independence, the pastoral council and finance committee continued joint coordination with Panja parish. The decision was taken during the episcopate of Bishop Dr Aloysius Paul D’Souza, who appointed Rev. Peter Gonsalves as the first independent priest-in-charge of Bellare.
On May 22, 2019, Bishop Dr Peter Paul Saldanha appointed Rev. Sebastian Paul D’Souza as parish priest. His tenure witnessed notable infrastructure development and the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the chapel, held on November 6, 2021, culminating in a Eucharistic celebration and commemorative programme marking 50 years of the chapel’s spiritual journey. Rev. Sebastian Paul D’Souza served until May 16, 2022, during which time expansion and renovation works were also undertaken.
Present Leadership and Ongoing Growth
On May 16, 2022, Rev. Dr Anthony Prakash Monteiro, Principal of St Philomena College (Autonomous) Puttur, was appointed as parish priest of Holy Cross Church, Bellare. Under his leadership, the parish has grown across multiple dimensions – organisation, liturgical participation, community involvement and infrastructure development, emerging as a stable, vibrant and forward-looking parish catering to the spiritual needs of the Catholic community.
Bellare Holy Cross Church Emerges as the 125th Parish of the Diocese of Mangalore
January 1, 2026 marks as a historic day when Bellare Holy Cross Church emerged as the 125th parish of the Diocese of Mangalore. The church’s journey, beginning from the Panja Mission, reflects steady missionary expansion, institutional consolidation and progressive development. From a humble prayer centre to a permanent church with clergy residence, administrative autonomy and finally parish status, the growth of Bellare Holy Cross Church stands as a living testimony to faith, perseverance and community spirit.
Formation of an Independent Bellare Parish Region
In November 2025, Rev. Melvin D’Souza, parish priest of Panja, in collaboration with Rev. Anthony Prakash Monteiro, played a key role in establishing Bellare as an independent and separate parish region. The newly formed Bellare Holy Cross Parish jurisdiction comprises:
North: Belandoor and Peruvaje
North-East: Balila, Kaniyoor and Charvaka
South: DarkasEast: Kalanja
North-West: Nettaru, Perlumpady, Palthady and Keyyur
This reorganisation has further strengthened pastoral care and administrative efficiency, ushering in a new chapter in the spiritual history of Bellare.
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from dioceseofmangalore.com
Last updated in Jan. 2026
Related links :
- History of St. Rita Church, Panja
- 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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