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History
The history of St Judes Church, Assisi Nagar all started in the year 1966 when the Franciscans from the parish of Madhavaram, stepped forward to provide shelter and living to the poor repatriates from Burma and Sri Lanka. About 21.99 acres of land was purchased through ‘Caritas of India’ and the then Parish Priest, Rev Fr Ignatius OFM was given the responsibility to allot the plots. This area was named as Assisi Nagar.

As the Franciscans were concentrating more on their own Mission, Rev Fr Kurian Thomas of Caritas took over the responsibility. From 1975 people started populating into Assisi Nagar. Many being Catholic Families, people put up a small thatched Church and initially called it as the Church of St Jude Thaddeus. Rev Fr James Victor OFM offered the First Mass in Assisi Nagar.

In 1983 the sisters of St Joseph of the Apparition stepped into Assisi Nagar and their Mission was teaching. Rev Fr James OFM with the help of Rev Fr Arulsamy OFM, laid the foundation for a proper Church. On 7th February 1999 Manali Old Town was declared as a separate parish and Rev Fr Arulsamy OFM, as its first Parish Priest. With Rev Fr Arulsamy’s determination to construct a Church in Assisi Nagar, funds were generated from various means and sources. On 12th March 2000 the Church was completed and renamed as the Church of St Francis of Assisi.

The late Archbishop of Madras- Mylapore Most Rev Dr Aruldas James, blessed the Church. Even though the Church is dedicated to St Francis of Assisi, people still celebrate the annual feast in honour of St Jude Thaddeus. Hence, St Jude Thaddeus has become the Patron of the Parish. The annual festival of St Jude is celebrated in the second week of June. Thanks to the Franciscans for their yeomen service for the people of Assisi Nagar. Most Rev Dr A M Chinnappa SDB, the Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore announced this Church as a separate parish in the year 2007. Our current Parish Priest Rev. Fr. T. Anthony Raj who is spearheading many new activities of our parish