Holy Cross Church, Hospet
The Church of Holy Cross of Hospet in Dakshina Kannada, is one of the oldest churches in the Mangalore Diocese of India. Being situated in Hosabettu, it is also known as Hospet Church. This was the only church that escaped the drive for the demolition of churches by Tipu Sultan during the Captivity of Mangalorean Catholics at Seringapatam.
History
This church existed well before the 17th century. According to official documents available to the Mangalore Diocese, the church was established in 1761. Hospet was under the rule of Jain kings for many centuries. Some documents in the Jain literature shows existence of this church even before 1648. At the time of the general demolition of churches by Tippu Sultan, this was the only church that escaped destruction owing to the friendly offices of the Chauta Raja of Moodbidri.Church of the Holy Cross, formerly known as Bidrem Church. The name Hospet came after the death of Tippu Sultan. The old church was repaired by Fr Jerome Paul Carvalho in 1865. Under the jurisdiction of Goa, 11 vicars had served this church. Fr Jacob Sequeira was the first diocesan vicar and he was succeeded by Fr Cajetan M. Pereira. The foundation stone for the present church, designed by Fr A. Diamanti sj, was laid on 1 October 1905 by V. Rev. Frachetti sj, the vicar general. Fr Cajetan M. Pereira began the construction of the church and Fr Rosario P.B. Lewis completed it and it was blessed on 7 February 1909 by Bishop A. Cavadini sj. This church is one of the first in the diocese built in Cruciform and gothic in style.
The earlier presbytery was built in 1854. Moodbidri, Shirthady, Ferar, Paladka and Taccode parishes are carved out of this parish. The present presbytery was built by Fr Cyprian Coelho in 2000. There are 9 wards in Hospet parish. Around 285 catholic families are living in this parish and total Catholic population is at around 1500. Currently around 40% of populations have migrated to the city of Mumbai and Middle East counties.
Fr Asissi Rebello is the 21St diocesan vicar of the parish.
Hospet widely known as Hosabettu, is a gorgeous place with full of greenery which consists of coconut, arrack nut and betel leaf gardens, rice paddy fields, thick forests which once nurtured a huge wild life, tiny lakes, rainy season water streams, chirping sounds of birds, magnificent hillocks & landscapes and much more.
Amidst all this beauty lies a spectacularly marvelous Roman Catholic Gothic style Church built in cruciform, by the name of HOLY CROSS CHURCH HOSABETTU. This church is 41 km north-east of Mangalore, and 6 km from Moodbidri Town. Kuppepadav, Tacode and Moodbidri parishes surround this church. The Hospet Church comes under village Hosabettu. The church is covered with a dense forest. The place is just 46 km from Mangalore International Airport.
This is the first church in the whole of South Canara district to be dedicated to the Holy Cross. Just as it is very difficult to narrate the origin of the place and the people of Hosabettu, so, it is all the more hard to trace the exact date of the beginning of the parish. But it is for sure that the parish has the Portuguese origin. Thus this parish has made its impression on the pages of The Roman Catholic history in South Canara.
According to the ancient records The church was called "Bidrem Church". But many also called it as The Hospet Church. This is because 'Bidrem' or Moodbidri was famous even in ancient days, owing to the Chouta Raja and his rule as well as numerous Bhasatis which are religious institutions of Jains. Hospet was under the rule of Jain kings for many centuries. The only Catholic institution near Bidrem and the surrounding areas was The Church of Hosabettu. Hence this Church was called as the "Bidrem Church".
History mentions the raids and the devastations of Hyder Ali and Tippu Sultan over the Catholic institutions. It also mentions the torture and killings of the Catholics in South Canara. Soon after the Treaty of Mangalore in 1784 Tippu Sultan gained control of Canara and issued orders to seize The Christians in Canara. He also ordered the destruction of 27 Catholic churches, all beautifully carved with statues depicting various saints. But tradition has it that The Church of Hosabettu was not destroyed by Tippu Sultan. This is because the Catholics of the locality used to cultivate betel leaves and were the main suppliers of the same to the Bidrem Chouta Raja and his officers. These people in turn saved the church and the Catholics from the ravage of Tippu Sultan by not disclosing the existence of the church. Thus this was the only church that escaped the drive for the demolition of churches by Tippu Sultan between the years 1784 to 1799.
According to the church records Rev. Fr. Benedict Reis De Trividad was the first parish priest in 1798. During this time there were hardly any Churches in 'Dakshina Kannada'. Hence for many years the jurisdiction of the parish extended over a large area in South Canara. Gurpur River being the southern boundary, Western Ghats were the eastern ones. Chilmby was the dividing line between Karkal Attur Parish and Hosabettu. Kirem, Pezar and Agrar were the other neighbors for the parish. All the rest of the parishes of the neighborhood are of later origin.
Though the arrival of Rev. Fr. Benedict Reis De Trividad in 1798 marks the beginning of the parish, the existence of it can be guaranteed even before 1798. Because, the recent enquiries with the 'Bidrem Jain Bhasati' authorities have revealed the existence of the church prior to 1648. Some documents in the ancient Jain literature in Moodbidri show The Church of Hosabettu as well established before 1648. Secondly, St. Thomas the Apostle of India kindled the light of faith during the first century AD in the Southern Part of India. And the early Franciscan Missionaries later continued the Gospel preached by him in Canara in 1510. Therefore, we presume that the church might have begun soon after 1510 or even before that. But because of the lack of sources available and because of the early records not being maintained, it is really difficult to know the exact beginning and the unknown realities. Hence till date The Alfa or The Genesis of the church remains mysterious and untraceable. Therefore, one has to do nothing but calculate and imagine the long-lost realities.
Since 1798 The Holy Cross Church Parish has seen many changes. There have been interchanges in the physical as well as the political areas of the church. Many priests have come here and have rendered their faithful service. Over the years many daughter churches are born out of this huge parish. Hence at present the parish accommodates 294 families in 9 wards. For many years this church has produced many priests, nuns, religious and godly families. And most important of all The Most Holy Cross has bestowed marvelous blessings on all the parishioners, thus continually working wonders.
Church building
Bidrem church building was located on S.N. 75 about 300 yards to the south of the present church building site. It was on the plot presently called 'Bhat'. It is not sure whether there was yet another site originally. The building of the church in 'Bhat' can be more or less located as there is a place which is considered to be a cemetery in which Rev. Fr. Benedict Reis De Trividad believed to have buried. Now there is a cross erected in this area and the place is called the old cemetery.The church building was erected on S.N. 74-3A. This was a beautiful church with artistic gilt altar. This was to the west of present church building. The sanctuary of the same was made use of as a sacristy till 1932. The Parochial house too was built at the same time as the old church was but in which year the old church and the old parochial house were built and by whom they were built is not known. In 1865 Rev. Fr. Jerome Paul Carvallo repaired this church and made additions to the Sanctuary.
By 1904 the church building was rickety and the restoration was really important. In the two confraternities of the parish called "Church Confraternity" and "Fabrica", there were Rs. 40,000 in cash. Rev. Fr. Cajitan M. Pereira decided to build a new church. Rev. Fr. Diamanthy S.J. drew up the plan for a grand Gothic style church with a cupola in the centre. Then Vicar General, Rev. Dr. E. Fraketti S.J. laid the foundation stone on 1 October 1905. The building work commenced under the supervision of Rev. Fr. A. Diamanthy and Rev. Fr. Giovanni S.J. The foundation and half the superstructure almost drained the coffers of the church.
Rev. Fr. Cajitan M. Pereira began to be worried and was no more able to carry on the work. Msgr. M. P. Colaco took him and was with him at Cordell Church for 3 months. As his health did not improve, he was taken to Fr. Muller's Hospital Kankanadi, Mangalore. Here he died a broken man and his remains were laid to rest at the Leper's Chapel in Kankanady. During this time Fr. Cortie S.J. was helping in the parish work.
Rev. Fr. Rosario P.B. Lewis who succeeded him as the parish priest had to complete the work. He altered the plan in order to reduce the expenditure. The Cupola of the plan was dispensed with and the windows were converted into half Roman in style. He wanted to complete the plan instead of going for style and unnecessary debt. In spite of this he had to borrow Rs. 8000 from Mr. S. L. Mathias of Karkalla. He further raised a loan of Rs. 2,500 locally payable in 3 years time. He repaid the loan locally borrowed before he was transferred. The church building was blessed by The Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. A. Cavadini S.J. on 7 February 1909 and on the next day Pontifical High Mass was sung.
Progress
Here below we give some details that are available to us, so that we have a better view of the progress of the place and the parish. However the exact chronological order of each event is difficult to describe. Hence we mention main activities that have taken place during the tenure of each priest. Since we have no landed property now, various improvements done there on, are left out. There was water scarcity near the parish church and practically every parish priest has tried to dig a well and they too will not be mentioned.Between the years 1919 and 1931 Rev. Fr. J.M.A. Vas built the Triple Porticos to the church and began to build the kitchen cum store house.
The out houses of the church were built during the time of Rev. Fr. Albert D'Sa between the years 1931 to 1937. At the same time he improved the flooring of the church as well. In 1937, when Rev. Fr. A. J. Silva arrived, he modified the plan and completed the work of Kitchen cum store house.
In 1950 the much desired pulpit was ordered from St. Joseph's workshop, Jeppu at the cost of Rs. 1000. In 1951 the passages from the parochial house to the church were repaired and the room that was store room so far, was slightly reshaped and was converted into an Office room.
In 1952 and 1953 the two side porticos to the church were constructed. In 1954 the church was given a suitable frontage by constructing steps and side porticos for the protection of the doors. At the same time the statues inside the church were painted. In 1956, the church flooring, the presbytery portion, the kitchen and the passages were cement plastered at the cost of Rs. 4000. On 28 September 1968 three roofs around the sanctuary of the church were repaired introducing new raptors and reapers.
On 26 November 1969 the front railings of the Sanctuary were removed and the Sanctuary was extended so as to have The Altar made visible to the People. In February 1971 the benches and kneelers were provided to the church at the cost of Rs. 5000. And on 14 February 1973 the altar made out of marble was consecrated by the bishop on the parish feast day in the presence of vast congregation and 20 priests.
On 8 October 1977, lightning struck the front façade of the church. A part of the façade and a portion of the roof got damaged. After this incident, as a safety measure, the church roof was mounted with a lightning rod.
On 25 December 1977 a microphone set was installed in the church. And on 24 June 1979, the church and The school buildings were electrified at the cost of Rs. 13,000. The amount was contributed by the local people. Mr. P.F. Rodrigues, the honorable minister was the inaugurator.
In 1988 the store house that was built years ago was plastered. In 1989, 14 fans along with as many points for the tube light sets were installed in the church building. The cost involved Rs. 17114 from the local people.