Infant Jesus Church in Bangalore

On January 14th, 2002 The Foundation stone for the new Infant Jesus Church was laid by his Grace, Rev. Fr. Dr. Ignatius Pinto, and the Archbishop of Bangalore. Inauguration of the church took place on June 9th, 2005 at 5 p.m. by Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore, Dedicated by His Excellency, Most Rev. Dr. Pedro Lopez Quintana, Apostolic Nuncio in India; Blessing of the Tabernacle, by Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Pinto, Archbishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of Bangalore.

Architects :

Thomas Associates designed the new church. Which has a fan shaped hall to accommodate about 2500 people with 9 faces and openings running all round the church. The interior of the church is so designed that wherever people are seated they will feel that the altar is facing them. The podium is raised above road level with steps and ramp on either side. The main mural which is 6×9 meters is the replica of the nativity scene in the nativity church of Jerusalem.

On June 9th, 2005 at 5 p.m 2005 The new Infant Jesus church was inaugurated by Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Moras, Archbishop of Bangalore, Dedicated by His Excellency, Most Rev. Dr. Pedro Lopez Quintana, Apostolic Nuncio in India; Blessing of the Tabernacle, by Most Rev. Dr. Ignatius Pinto, Archbishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of Bangalore.

History:

In the middle of 60’s, the Sacred Heart Parish of Bangalore extended to areas like Somanahalli, now known as Viveknagar. AT This point of time, Rev. Fr.Paul Kinatukara, the parish priest of the Sacred Heart Church felt the need for a separate parish for areas around Somanahalli and undertook a vigorous search for a suitable land.

On May 1971, Rev.Fr. L.Peter was appointed as the first parish priest of the new church, who initiated the holy mass on the newly acquired land, brought the Infant Jesus statue from Sacred Heart church and installed there. In 1974, the local authorities turned down the plan for the new Church for want of the approval of the Bangalore Development Authority.

But on 29th June 1979, the Most Rev. Dr.D.S.Lourduswamy, Secretary of the Sacred Congregation for the Evangelization of the people, came from Rome and opened the new Infant Jesus Church for the devotees.

ADDRESS:
Rev. Fr. Martin Kumar
Parish Priest
Infant Jesus Shrine
Post Box. 4712, Viveknagar
Bangalore – 560047
India