Kharghar

Kharghar, Navi Mumbai,

Maharashtra – 410 210

In the year 1992, five Malankara Catholic families of New Bombay started a small prayer group in New Bombay under the inspiration of Rev. Fr. Ignatius Thangalathil OIC and.  In November 1994, Rev. Fr. James Mammoottil, OIC, celebrated the first Holy Qurbono for the community in New Bombay at the residence of Mr.Unnoonni Pappachan, a member of the community.By 1995, the number of families increased to 18 and the community started celebrating the Holy Qurbono in St. Augustine’s school, Nerul.It was during this period the   Sunday school classes and MCYM activities were started.

 Fr. Jacob Oravackal OIC took charge of the unit in the year 2000 and on the 4^th October 2001, CIDCO allotted 500 sq. mtrs of land for a church building at Sector 5, Kharghar, NaviMumbai  and permission was granted to construct the building.  In the year 2002, Fr. John Berchmans OIC blessed and laid the foundation stone of the church

The newly constructed church was blessed on 30^th and 31^st of December, 2006 at the hands of His Excellency Joshua Mar Ignathios.  In the year 2007 a grotto of Rosa Mystica was constructed in front of the church and was blessed by His Excellency Jacob Mar Barnabas.  In the year 2011 Bethany Ashram purchased a piece of land in Kharghar in the proximity of the church and constructed a new Bethany Ashram and it was blessed on 26^th August 2012 by H. E. Jacob Mar Barnabas, the Apostolic Visitator of ETRI.

Presently the parish has 60 families as active members and is declared as the 4^th personal parish in the Bombay Archdiocese and BARC is affiliated to it as a unit. The community is now growing spiritually and socially under the leadership of Fr. Mathai Iranathara, the present vicar.