St. Anthony Church – Anthoniyar Street Dindigul

Contact Details:

St. Anthony ChurchAnthoniyar Street, DindigulAnthoniyar Street, Vathalakkundu Road, Begampur Post, Dindigul District – 624002, Tamil Nadu.
Parish Priest – Rev. Fr. Justin Thiraviyam (SDB).

Brief History:

The settlement originated when four families from Pondicherry established themselves in the area during the British colonial period. Initially naming their locality Anthoniyar Seri in devotion to Saint Anthony, the name evolved to Anthoniyar Street. These families transitioned from commerce and agriculture to employment in nearby leather tanneries. The community built a small palm-leaf shrine in 1880 with a wooden statue imported from Pondicherry. By 1932, a tile-roofed structure replaced the deteriorated original. The present church was consecrated on June 13, 1999, by Bishop Peter Arokiasamy. The church serves 300 families. The feast is celebrated from the last Tuesday of January through the second week of February over 13 days.