News: Edgar Cardoza.
Pics: Steevan Colaco / Prem Menezes, Mummy Digitals
Udupi, Feb 26: The parishioners of St Francis Xavier Church, Udyavar are gearing up for the inauguration of their new church. The structural work of new church which began on May 24, 2014 is scheduled to be inaugurated in a record time.
The church has been built in a unique layout with a dome and is unique to Udyavar among the churches in Udupi and Mangaluru dioceses. It has a seating capacity of 1000. The church also boast of more than 50 stained glass works and mural work on the walls. Adding to this is another feather in the form of The Christ, The Redeemer statue installed on top the dome. The instalment of the gigantic statue was witnessed by the parishioners, onlookers and the school students at noon on February 26.
A huge 45 tonnes container crane was brought today to raise the statute to the height of 105 feet. The statue is a replica of Christ, the Redeemer which is found at Rio De Janerio, Brazil, which is 98 feet tall and its arms stretch 92 feet wide.
Specifications:
Built at Simon & Co, Mangalore, this statue comes with the height of 12 feet, arms stretched 15 feet wide and weighs a net weight of 400 kgs
The statue comes with two sided face, palms, whole body and feet; to and fro, one facing towards the entrance of the church in the direction of SDM Ayurvedic Hospital while other side can be seen from the National highway 66.
It’s been built with the All Season Fibre Material. First the statute is built with the clay and iron rods. Then the fibre material is added and the required shape is moulded. Hence, providing a longer life span of the statue.
The statue has been installed above the dome which is at the height of 105 feet above the sea level. The height of this dome is 42 feet high and 36 feet in diameter. This dome is the only one which is completely made of concrete.
To avoid the statue from moving or shaking in the air, a small opening had to be made to fill the statute with three feet of concrete inside it. Along with this the statute would weigh as much as 1000 kgs.
Dr Fr Roque D’souza, parish priest, Udyavar amidst his hectic work schedule as the parish priest, has been successful in bringing up this church to these unique records along with the coordination Lawrence D’sa, vice president, Michael D’souza, secretary, Parish Pastoral council, Udyavar, Melvin Noronha convener and the members of building core committee and the parishioners and all the workers. Danny Pinto of Western Architects is the chief architect while the AG associates are structural consultants.
The Church is all set to be inaugurated on April 28, 2016.