St. Francis of Assisi Church – Mall Road

St.Francis of Assisi

Contact Details:

St. Francis of Assisi Church
Mall Road
Nainital – 263 002,
Uttaranchal,
Telephone – 05942-235625.

Patron Saint – St. Francis of Assisi.
Year of Establishment – 1868.
Parish Priest – Fr. Thomas Sahayaraj.

Brief History:

Nainital is one of the most beautiful hill stations in India about 6346 ft. above sea level. Since 1842 Nainital was visited by the Chaplain of Bareilly as it was part of Agra Vicariate. In 1878, it was detached from Agra and attached to the Diocese of Allahabad. The “Lake Chapel” was first built in 1868 and then enlarged in 1882-1884. Fr. Engelbert, Ofm. Cap. founded St. Joseph’s Seminary (now St. Joseph’s College) in 1887. In 1878, Sisters of the Institute of the Blessed Virgin Mary (IBMV) bought 26 acres of land (Ramnee Park) and began a school there. St. Joseph’s College at Nainital was opened in 1888 by the Capuchins and handed over to the Irish Christian Brothers on 22nd April 1892. In the course of time the catholics living and serving the educational institutions in and around Ramnee Park found it difficult to attend the Sunday Services at St. Francis Church, Mall Road. Hence the need arose of having a separate parish, i.e. St. Francis Home Parish. This was decreed in the year 1994.