Roman Catholic Church – Kharagpur

Contact Details:

Roman Catholic Church
Kharagpur,
P.O. Haveli Kharagpur,
Dt. Munger- 811 213,
Bihar.
Phone: -06342 -252088, 09431259406.

Parish Priest – Fr. Thomas Vetticad.

Church Established – 1964.

Brief History:

On the Bhagalpur-Jamui Road 70 k.m. from Bhagalpur is the Kharagpur Nazari Mission which was handed over to the diocese from Patna in 1984. The mission house was there from 1964. Because of the missionaries being involved in liberation of Santhals from money lenders, it was the target of a dacoity organized by the upper class Hindus in 1975. the house was looted and set on fire. Fr. Francis Mattathani was brutally beaten up. Even the CTC Sisters were harassed, but the work continued. Fr. Mathew Kaithara was the first diocesan priest to reside at Kharagpur. Fr. Chacko E.O. built a temple like Church, the first of its kind in the diocese and blessed by the Archbishop of Patna Rt. Rev. Benedict Osta, S.J. on 21-12-1996. Parish Priests of Kharagpur mentioned in the records: Fr. Francis Mittathani (1970-80); Fr. J. A. Grollig S.J. (1980-82); Fr. Mathew A.C. (1981-86); Fr. Jose P.K. (1987-89); Fr. E.O. Chacko (1992-97); Fr. Joseph C. (1998-2000); Fr. Thomas Vetticad (2000- ). Number of Catholics 220; Number o Families 44; Villages 6.