Saint Anthony’s Church – Sulakkarai Virudunagar

Contact Details:

Saint Anthony’s ChurchSulakkarai, VirudunagarSulakkarai, Virudunagar – 626003, Virudunagar District, Tamil Nadu (approximately 5 km from Virudunagar toward Sattur).
Parish Priest – Rev. Fr. A. Anthony Swamy.
Church Established – 1977 (new building 2022).

Brief History:

The congregation began in 1977 with seven Catholic families. Initially under Virudunagar Saint Ignatius Parish, Rev. Fr. A. S. Kuzhanthai Swamy conducted monthly house Masses and acquired one acre for church construction. A modest chapel was built in 1986 under Rev. Fr. Gnanapprakasam’s initiative. Rev. Fr. Manuel expanded it in 1991, and Rev. Fr. Y. Arokkyam further developed it with an asbestos roof in 2011. In 2017, following the formation of the independent Niraivaazhvinagar Parish, this church became its branch chapel. The foundation stone for the new building was laid on March 7, 2019, by Archbishop Anthony Pappusamy. The completed edifice was consecrated on February 27, 2022, by retired Bishop Yuvann Ambrose of Tuticorin Diocese. The shrine attracts devotees seeking healing, marriage blessings, and employment assistance. The church serves 36 families and celebrates its feast in June.