News and pics: Silvester D' Souza

Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi (EP)

Udupi, May 13: St Philip Neri parish of Basrur is one among the 48 parishes in the Udupi district. It draws attention due to its historic significance. It is said that the church was built by the Portugese in the 15th century.

The parish with a history of five centuries has 465 families and 2,250 members in it. It has rendered immense service in the field of education and has pronounced religious coexistence. As the 500th birthanniversary of St Philip Neri, patron saint of the church falls on May 26, several programmes are proposed on that day.

The Portugese who came to Basrur in 1543 named the village as Barselore and built a Church for the spiritual needs of the people.

They named the Church as 'Sostra Senoro De Rosario'. There are records of the spiritual visit of the then Bishop of Goa Rev Alexis D Menezes in 1643. Devotee of Christ and pronouncer Rev Joseph Vaz had come to India from Sri Lanka in 1682. There are records of his spreading the faith in several places.

Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysore used to hate Christians. He had come to the coast in 1784 and destroyed the churches. He destroyed the Basrur church and took Christians to prison. There are instances of the devotees giving up their lives due to strong belief on Christ. The church that was demolished by Tipu Sultan was rebuilt in 1924 November 18 in the name of St Philip Neri. A school by the name R C was started on 1967 making nuns come to Basrur.

Fr Willian Rebello came to the parish as the parish priest in 1930 and served till 1943. Fr Placid Pereira who came later upgraded the school to Higher primary school. The priests who came subsequent to it,developed the parish. Rev Xavier Pinto planted coconut saplings and dig a well.

Poor families are provided financial help by the Church. CBSE curiculam will be introduced from June, this year. R C school also is renovated. Grotto is constructed. The cemetery also is renovated.