Hospet widely known as Hosabettu, is a gorgeous place with full of greenery which consists of coconut , arrack nut and betel leaf gardens, rice paddy fields, thick forests which once nurtured a huge wild life, tiny lakes, rainy season water streams, chirping sounds of birds, magnificent hillocks & landscapes and much more.
Amidst all this beauty lies a spectacularly marvelous Roman Catholic Gothic style Church built in Cruciform , by the name of HOLY CROSS CHURCH HOSABETTU . This church is situated at a distance of 41 km north east of Mangalore, and 6 km from Moodbidri Town. Kuppepadav, Tacode and Moodbidri parishes surround this church. The Hospet Church comes under village Hosabettu. The church is covered with a dense forest. The place is just 46 km far from Mangalore International Airport.
This is the first Church in the whole of South Canara district to be dedicated to the Holy Cross . Just as, it is very difficult to narrate the origin of the place and the people of Hosabettu, so as, it is all the more hard to trace the exact date of the beginning of the Parish. But it is for sure that the Parish has Portuguese origin. Thus this Parish has made its impression on the pages of The Roman Catholic History in South Canara.
According to ancient records, the Church was called “Bidrem Church”. But many also called it The Hospet Church (Portuguese: Igreja da Santa Cruz Hospet). This is because 'Bidrem' or Moodbidri was famous even in ancient days, owing to the Chouta Raja and his rule as well as numerous 'Bhasadis' which are religious institutions of Jains. Hospet was under the rule of Jain kings for many centuries. The only Catholic institution near Bidrem and the surrounding areas was The Church of Hosabettu. Hence this Church was called the “Bidrem Church".
History mentions the raids and the devastations of Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan over the Catholic institutions. It also mentions the torture and killings of the Catholics in South Canara. Soon after the Treaty of Mangalore in 1784, Tippu Sultan gained control of Canara and issued orders to seize The Christians in Canara. He also ordered the destruction of 27 Catholic churches, all beautifully carved with statues depicting various saints. But tradition has it that the Church of Hosabettu was not destroyed by Tippu Sultan. This is because the Catholics of the locality used to cultivate betel leaves and were the main suppliers of the same to the Bidrem Chouta Raja and his officers. These people in turn saved the Church and the Catholics from the ravage of Tippu Sultan by not disclosing the existence of The Church. Thus this was the only church that escaped the drive for the demolition of churches by Tippu Sultan between the years 1784 to 1799.
According to the Church records, Rev. Fr. Benedict Reis De Trividad was the first Parish priest in the year 1798. During this time there were hardly any Churches in ‘Dakshina Kannada' (South Canara). Hence for many years the jurisdiction of the Parish extended over a large area in South Canara. Gurpur River being the southern boundary, Western Ghats were the eastern ones. Chilmby was the dividing line between Karkala Attur Parish and Hosabettu. Kirem, Pezar and Agrar were the other neighbors for the Parish. All the rest of the Parishes of the neighborhood are of later origin.
Though the arrival of Rev. Fr. Benedict Reis De Trividad in 1798 marks the beginning of the Parish, the existence of it can be guaranteed even before 1798. Because, the recent enquiries with the ‘Bidrem Jain Basadi' authorities have revealed the existence of The Church prior to 1648. Some documents in the ancient Jain literature in Moodbidri show The Church of Hosabettu as well established before the year 1648. Secondly, St. Thomas the Apostle of India kindled the light of faith during the first century A.D. in the Southern Part of India. And the early Franciscan Missionaries later continued the Gospel preached by him in Canara in the year 1510 . Therefore we presume that the Church might have begun soon after the year 1510 or even before that. But because of the lack of sources available and because of the early records not being maintained, it is really difficult to know the exact beginning and the unknown realities. Hence till date, The Alfa or The Genesis of the Church remains mysterious and untraceable. Therefore one has to do nothing but calculate and imagine the long lost realities.
Since 1798 The Holy Cross Church Parish has seen many changes. There have been interchanges in the physical as well as the political areas of The Church. Many Priests have come here and have rendered their faithful service. Over the years many Daughter Churches are born out of this huge Parish. Hence at present The Parish accommodates 294 families in 9 Wards. From many years this Church has produced many Priests, Nuns, Religious and Godly families. And most important of all The Most Holy Cross has bestowed marvelous blessings on all the parishioners, thus continually working wonders.
THE CHURCH BUILDING
Bidrem Church building was located on S.N. 75 about 300 yards to the south of the present Church building site. It was on the plot presently called ‘Bhat'. It is not sure whether there was yet another site originally. The building of The Church in ‘Bhat' can be more or less located as there is a place which is considered to be a cemetery in which Rev. Fr. Benedict Reis De Trividad is believed to have been buried. Now there is a cross erected in this area and the place is called the old cemetery.
The Church building was erected on S.N. 74-3A. This was a beautiful Church with artistic gold gilt Alter. This was to the west of the present Church building (built in 1909). The Sanctuary of the same was made use of as a sacristy till 1932. The Parochial house too was built at the same time as The Old Church was but in which year The Old Church and The Old Parochial house were built and by whom they were built is not known. In the year 1865 Rev. Fr. Jerome Paul Carvallo repaired this Church and made additions to the Sanctuary.
By the year 1904 The Church building was rickety and the restoration was really important. In the two confraternities of the Parish called “Church Confraternity” and "Fabrica", there was Rs. 40,000 in cash. Rev. Fr. Cajitan M. Pereira decided to build a New Church. Rev. Fr. Diamanthy S.J. drew up the plan for a grand Gothic style Church with a Cupola in the centre. Then Vicar General, Rev. Dr. E. Fraketti S.J. laid the foundation stone on 01.10.1905. The building work commenced under the supervision of Rev. Fr. A. Diamanthy and Rev.Fr. Giovanni S.J. The foundation and half the super structure almost drained the coffers of The Church.
Rev. Fr. Cajitan M. Pereira began to be worried and was no longer able to carry on the work. Msgr. M. P. Colaco took him and was with him at Cordel Church for 3 months. As his health did not improve, he was taken to Fr. Muller Hospital Kankanady, Mangalore. Here he died a broken man and his remains were laid to rest at the Leper's Chapel in Kankanady. During this time Fr. Cortie S.J. was helping in the Parish work.
Rev. Fr. Rosario P.B. Lewis, who succeeded him as the Parish Priest, had to complete the work. He altered the plan in order to reduce the expenditure. The Cupola of the plan was dispensed with and the windows were converted into half Roman in style. He wanted to complete the plan instead of going for style and unnecessary debt. In spite of this he had to borrow Rs. 8000 from Mr. S. L. Mathias of Karkala. He further raised a loan of Rs. 2,500 locally payable in 3 years time. He repaid the loan locally borrowed before he was transferred. The Church building was blessed by The Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Cavadini S.J. on 07.02.1909 and on the next day the Pontifical High Mass was sung.
THE UNIQUE FACTS
• The aerial view of The Church from the sky is the exact sign of The Cross. Because The Church is built in Cruciform.
• The Church possesses The Souvenir of The Original Cross of Christ.
THE DAUGHTER CHURCHES
In the year 1863, some of the parishioners submitted themselves to the jurisdiction of propaganda and built a separate Church at Taccode . This was the Goa-Verapoly Schism. Though, it meant only the introduction of ‘Propaganda Jurisdiction'. Both Parishes had their families intermingled for quite a long time. Hence there was personal Jurisdiction, instead of a territorial one. In February 16, 1887, Indian Hierarchy was introduced. Thus Hosabettu came under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Mangalore. Local Jurisdiction was introduced in 1914. Thanks to the efforts of His Lordship Bishop Rev. Dr. Perini S. J..
The Church at Ferar came into existence in the year 1912 for the convenience of The Catholic families living there. Vadoor village with about 30 families from The Parish of Hosabettu were ceded to Ferar.
The Church at Paladka came into existence in the year 1913 separating itself from Kirem Parish and about 40 families were handed over to this New Parish dedicated to St. Ignatius Loyola.
In Fenchar there was a Chapel started by The Church of Hosabettu for the people of the locality. This was shifted and formed into Shirthady Parish in 1929, by the decree of Rt. Rev. Dr. V. J. D'souza, the 1 st Manalorean Bishop of the Diocese.
Moodbidri –Alangar Parish dedicated to the Holy Rosary was formed into an independent Parish in 1929 with Msgr. Francis D'souza as its Parish Priest.
On October 1st 1958, a plot for the erection of a Church at Kuppepadavu was acquired. One acre was donated by Mrs. Matilda C. Pais of Mangalore, in memory of her son who had died and about 4 acres of land was bought paying Rs.1750. Thus the construction of The Church building at Kuppepadavu commenced. The major part of the building was completed by the end of June 1958 at the cost of Rs. 23,000. Rev. Fr. Abel Coelho who was residing at Hosabettu from 22.03.1958 was put in charge of this Parish on 22.08.1958. And thus Kuppepadavu was made an independent Parish by the decree of Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Raymond D'Mello from 07.06.1964.
By the decree of Rt. Rev. Dr. Basil S. D'souza, Bishop of Mangalore, Corpus Christi Church, Moodbidri was made an independent Parish in April, 1971. A few houses belonging to The Church of Hosabettu were ceded to this new Parish.
THE SCHOOL
The Parish school by the name “ ST. SEBASTIAN HIGHER PRIMARY SCHOOL ” was started towards the year 1890 probably Rev. Fr. G.E.S. Rangel. It was housed in a building that existed near the northern gate of The Church compound. In the year 1895 the school was sanctioned with the permanent approval by the Government. During the time of the construction of The Church building 1905 to 1909 it was blocking the way. So the classes were conducted in the sacristy of The Old Church. During the time of Rev. Fr. A. D'sa the strength of the students rose from 45 to 120. The Sanctuary which was used as the sacristy to The New Church so far was now shifted to a room within The New Church. And the Sanctuary of The Old Church as well as its sacristy formed the school building. But this place lacked proper ventilation and light.
On 06.09.1940, Rt. Rev. Dr. V.R. Fernandez permitted Rev. Fr. A.J. Silva to demolish The Old Sacristy and use the material to build The School building without using The Church funds. He changed the school site and thus in Oct, 1940 the work of the building was begun. The local people contributed little free labor and Rs. 30 in cash. Fr. A.J. Silva spent Rs. 820 from personal resources. And thus the school building was inaugurated on Easter Monday 1941.
The School was upgraded into Higher Primary School on the 1 st June 1950. A block forming the shape of the building into 'L' shape was added at the cost of 4,000 from The Church funds by Rev. Fr. John G. Pinto. The length of the additional building was about 100 feet.
In the years 1986 and 1987 under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Harold C. D'souza, works of repairs to the School building and construction of a new stage were undertaken. Thus on 25.10.1987 Rev. Fr. Lawrence C. D'souza, Secretary of Catholic Board of Education inaugurated The School-cum-Stage building after the Sunday morning Mass.
THE POST OFFICE
For years a room in the corner of the old Parochial House was used as the Post Office. In the year 1988 Rev. Fr. Harold Cyril D'sousa built a building that consisted of a Post Office, Shop and a bus waiting shelter for the commuters.
THE PAROCHIAL HOUSE
It is not sure in which year the old Parochial house was built. But it is believed to have been built in the same year as The Old Church was. Since the old Parochial House was rickety, Rev. Fr. Cyprian Coelho planned to build a new one and started the work immediately. On 30.01.2000, Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D'souza inaugurated the new Parochial House. Since Rev. Fr. Cyprian Coelho was transferred to Rosario Cathedral, Rev. Fr. Alban D'souza completed the remaining work of the new Parochial house by 30.11.2002. This included flooring and the completion of the first floor.
THE ARC
The road running from The Church to The Post Office was tarred in the year 1993. In the year 2001, on the occasion of its Silver Jubilee, The I.C.Y.M. Hosabettu built an Arc on this Church road near the Post Office. Thus on 29.04.2001, His Lordship, Rt. Rev. Dr. A.P. D'sousa officially inaugurated this memorial (The Arc).
THE CONVENT
During the time of Rev. Fr. Albert Menezes in 1985, it was decided to get some Nuns to the Parish of Hosabettu in order to improve the standard of the school. But the plan remained only as the Parish Council resolution since Rev. Fr. Albert Menezes had a transfer order to some other Parish. In the year 1996 Str. Malvina Emidia Debona travelled all the way from Brazil to India to find a suitable place to erect a convent. She landed in Tamil Nadu and lived there for about a year and then moved to Mangalore. In November, 1997 she came to Hosabettu and met Rev. Fr. Cyprian Coelho and expressed the intention of her travel. After the matter was discussed in the Parish General meeting, the Parishioners promised to donate them a portion of the land behind the St. Sebastian Higher Primary School. Initially Str. Malvina E. Debona stayed in the house offered by Mr. Jerome Elias Goveas for about three months. In 1998 they moved to a room in the old Parochial house building. Thus the Nuns stayed there till the building work of the Convent completed. Hence THE BENEDICTINE SISTERS OF DIVINE PROVIDENCE erected the convent and on the 29th of May 1999, The Bishop inaugurated and blessed it officially.
THE COMMUNITY HALL
Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Alban D'souza, it was planned to have a Community Hall for the convenience of the Parishioners. On 10.06.2007 The Vicar General Rev. Fr. Denis Moras Prabhu laid the foundation stone for a long desired new Parish Hall. It is situated on the purchased land in front of The Church. On 17.04.2009 the new Community Hall was inaugurated by the Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D'souza.
List of Parish Priests who have Served the Church :
1. Rev. Fr J.E.S.Renjal (08.01.1882 - 20.02.1901)
2. Rev. Fr Jecob Sequeira (20.02.1901 - 05.06.1904)
3. Rev. Fr Kajithan M Pereira (05.06.1904 - 15.09.1907)
4. Rev. Fr Kashmir Menezes (15.09.1907 - 01.03.1908)
5. Rev. Fr Ruzario P.B Louis (01.03.1908 - 04.05.1919)
6. Rev. Fr J.M.A.Vas (04.05.1919 - 14.07.1931)
7. Rev. Fr A.F.D’silva (15.07.1931 - 17.08.1931 )
8. Rev. Fr Albert Desa (17.08.1931 - 14.05.1937)
9. Rev. Fr Jhon G Pinto (14.05.1937 - 29.05.1937)
10. Rev. Fr A.J.Silva (29.05.1937 - 02.06.1945)
11. Rev. Fr A.M.L Dsouza (02.06.1945 - 23.08.1947)
12. Rev. Fr Rafael D’souza (23.08.1947 - 08.09.1947)
13. Rev. Fr F.J.M Pinto (08.09.1947 - 20.05.1949)
14. Rev. Fr J.G Pinto (20.05.1949 - 08.05.1965)
15. Rev. Fr Jerom Pinto (08.05.1965 - 29.04.1975)
16. Rev. Fr Kasmir Mathias (29.04.1975 - 16.05.1976)
17. Rev. Fr Jhon Fernandes (16.05.1976 - 29.07.1984)
18. Rev. Fr Lawrence Martis (29.07.1984 - 19.05.1985)
19. Rev. Fr Albert Menezes (19.05.1985 - 20.05.1986)
20. Rev.Fr Herald C.D’souza (20.05.1986 - 17.05.1993)
21. Rev.Fr Cyprian Coelho (17.05.1993 - 17.05.2000)
22. Rev.Fr Alban D’souza (17.05.2000 - 30.05.2008)
23. Rev.Fr Assisi Rebello (30.05.2008 - 10.06.2015)
24. Rev.Fr Santhosh Rodrigues (10.06.2015 - 13.07.2021)
25. Rev Fr Gregory D’souza (from 13.07.2021 onwards ...)
Compiled by Catholic Time Staff with inputs from hospetchurch.com
Last updated in Dec 2021.
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