Saint Xavier Church – Allithurai

Contact Details:

Saint Xavier ChurchAllithuraiMiddle Street, Allithurai, Somarasampettai PO, Tiruchirappalli 620102 – Tamil Nadu.
Parish Priest – Rev. Fr. Anthony Balraj.
Church Established – 1725.

Brief History:

Saint Xavier Church at Allithurai traces its roots to the early 17th century when Christian missionary work began in the region. A woman named Chanthamma first established a small thatched structure for worship around 1643 on Christmas Day. An engineer tasked with repairing the frequently collapsing Allithurai bridge sought divine intervention, successfully completed the bridge, and gratefully constructed a concrete church building in 1725. The structure underwent major renovations in 1992, 2002, and 2018. The parish currently serves approximately 350 families. The feast of St. Francis Xavier is celebrated on December 3rd with special celebrations where unmarried women receive sacramental gifts, believed to bring blessings for marriage.