About Church

St. Antony Church, Anthonykatte, a sub-centre of Adyapady Parish, stands today as a flourishing centre of devotion, born out of necessity during the expansion of Mangalore International Airport and nurtured over the years through strong faith, leadership, and community support.

Origins Amid Airport Expansion

During the early 2000s, the expansion of the airport runway made it difficult for many families in Anthonykatte and nearby areas to reach the main Adyapady Church after its relocation. To meet the spiritual needs of these families, the Diocese of Mangalore acquired a plot of land in Anthonykatte in 2003, just 2 km from the airport terminal junction.

Chapel and Grotto Established

When Fr Vernon Vas took charge as the Parish Priest of Adyapady in 2006, he recognized the spiritual longing of the people and took the initiative to build a chapel and grotto dedicated to St. Anthony of Padua. On 13 May 2008, the chapel and the grotto was solemnly blessed and inaugurated by Most Rev. Dr. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, the then Bishop of Mangalore.

With this, Sunday Mass and Tuesday Novena services were introduced, drawing increasing numbers of faithful. In the same year, the practice of the Nine-Day Novena and the Feast of St. Anthony on June 13 began, which soon became annual traditions. The small chapel, however, struggled to accommodate the ever-growing devotion of the faithful.

Rise of a Full-Fledged Church

Recognizing the need for a larger place of worship, Fr Edwin Francis Pinto, who became Parish Priest in 2016, spearheaded the construction of a new church. Through generous contributions and the cooperation of the faithful, the dream became a reality. On December 21, 2019, the new St. Antony Church, Anthonykatte was inaugurated and blessed by Most Rev. Dr. Peter Paul Saldanha, Bishop of Mangalore.In his message, the bishop noted that what started as a small chapel had now grown into a full-fledged church, envisioned to be a place of miracles, harmony, and peace, open to all people regardless of caste, religion, or creed. Local leaders, too, highlighted its importance as a spiritual and social hub, expected to inspire educational and community development in the region.

Spiritual Growth and New Feasts

On February 15, 2020, the faithful began celebrating the Feast of the Relic of St. Anthony, adding another milestone to the parish’s spiritual journey. Today, two annual feasts mark the calendar at Anthonykatte:

• June 13 – Annual Feast of St. Anthony
• February 15 – Feast of the Relic of St. Anthony

Along with these, weekly Novenas and Sunday Masses continue to attract hundreds of devotees.

Infrastructure and Pilgrimage Experience

To cater to the growing number of pilgrims, infrastructure upgrades such as washrooms, courtyard development, and improved facilities have been carried out. These improvements have enhanced the pilgrimage experience and made the church campus more welcoming.

A Spiritual and Social Centre

What began in 2003 as a modest attempt to meet local worship needs has, through the faith and perseverance of parishioners and priests, transformed into a beacon of devotion and community life. Today, St. Antony Church, Anthonykatte, is not only a shrine of prayer and miracles but also a symbol of unity, resilience, and spiritual growth for the entire region.