About St Francis Xavier Church

St Francis Xavier Church, Bejai established in the year 1912 is in the heart of Mangalore city in the South Canara District of Karnataka State in India. It is situated at a distance of 2 kms from the Diocesan headquarters and is surrounded by Bendore, Bondel, Milagres and Derebail parishes.

Bejai was once a part of the Cathedral Church. Because of the long distance from the church and the difficulties experienced by the people here, a land measuring 5.37 acres was obtained from the government in 1670 for a cemetery and a mortuary chapel was raised on the plot. The priests from the cathedral offered Sunday masses here.

On March 22, 1912 Bishop Perini, S.J., gave Bejai a resident chaplain. He was Fr Sebastian Noronha. His successor Fr Joseph Peter Fernandes built a portion of the presbytery. The present church was built in 1924 by Fr A. E. Colaco who had succeeded Fr Fernandes. He also completed the presbytery and panned the belfry. Fr Leo Saldanha completed it in 1937. Fr Robert L. M. Pinto renovated the church.

Fr Bernard L. D'Souza put up the huge shopping complex and also the Hall as income generating assets to the church. Later lot of developmental works took place under the visionary leadership of Fr Joseph Peter Tauro. Presently Fr Victor Machado serves as the parish priest of Bejai church. As on today the parish has 24 wards, 1225 families and 5012 parishioners. Under the patronage of great missionary St Francis Xavier the church strives to become a vibrant Christian community and be a witness to the Kingdom of God.