About the Church

The History

From the year 1642 to 1832, the Capuchin Fathers ministered to the needs of the local people. The parish of St. Antony of Padua, Pudupet was established by Mill Hill Fathers in 1873 and soon outgrew its humble beginnings. The Parish was established particularly, for the care of the ophthalmic Hospital, Pudupet, and the Women and Children’s Hospital Egmore. Original settlers were Harijans, Lascars, and coolies in Pudupet, Chintadripet, and Narasingapuram. But soon the area attracted Government officials, Vellalars, Naidus, Mudaliars, Chettiars, Bharatas and Goldsmiths, so by 1910, there was an urgent need for a larger place of worship. As the old church could no longer accommodate the increasing numbers of Parishioners, the incumbent Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Y Arulappa took a far-reaching decision and in 1920, demolished the old Church of St. Antony of Padua, Pudupet and transferred church services No. 32, Thiruvengada Naicken street, where the small Parish School began to serve as the parish Church as well.

​​

The Foundation stone of the new and present church was laid on 5th January 1921, by His Excellency Rev. Peter Pisani, DD, Delegate Apostolic in East Indies. The Archbishop of Madras, Most Rev. John Aelen, and a large gathering of priests and parishioners attended this historic occasion.

Seven years, eight months, and fifteen days later, the Church was constructed and consecrated on 14th September 1927 by the Archbishop of Madras, Most Rev. John Aelen, in honor of St. Anthony of Padua. A Parish school is run for poor Anglo-Indian children by the sisters of the Presentation Order. St. Anne's Congregation runs a Tamil school.