RAGHABPUR
ST. JOSEPH'S CHURCH

Established:
1891

Address:
Catholic Church, Raghabpur, P.O. Nepalgunj, Kolkata - 700 103

Phone:
(033) 2497 4021

History:
Fr. Zubiburu, a Spanish Carmelite with the support of Mr. Crow, then Dist. Magistrate of 24 Parganas, made the first Catholic effort in the area in 1840-1847. He soon gathered at Koikhali a community of 278. When Fr. Goffinet, SJ came to explore Koikhali 23 years later in 1868 he found nothing but managed to acquire the plot where a chapel was built. He led a very austere life but his health could not stand the strain and he left in 1876. Then came the famous Fr. Delplace, SJ who in a few years founded five missions in the district: Raghabpur, Morapai, Basanti, Khari and Baidyapur. But when Ranchi Mission field opened, all resources in men were drawn that side and the missions here were closed except Raghabpur and Morapai. In 1890 Fr. Deprins, SJ built the present church and the presbytery. It is a tribute to his building skills that 90 years later a second floor could be added to the old walls. In 1922 Fr. Velle, SJ ushered in the Daughters of St. Anne to start a convent and a school. In 1930 there were about 1200 Catholics in the Parish; but then started the movement towards Catholic Church, mainly from the other Christian denominations. In 1940, Fr. Poderzaj, SJ put up the school buildings, which were replaced with a new and imposing structure in 1993. In 1963 there were more than 5000 Catholics living in some 40 villages and hamlets. At that time Mass was celebrated for the people in 19 different locations and in Thakurpukur. In 1987 St. Paul's Jr. High School was up-graded into a high school. In agreement with the Bishop of Baruipur the Parish has been handed over to the Society of Jesus for a period of 100 years and a Jesuit community has been established at Raghabpur in 1992. The School had been granted the permission to conduct classes for higher Secondary education since 1999. St. Xavier’s College Calcutta extended its Raghabpur campus in 2014.

Catholics:
7167

Sub-Station:
Gostomath, Salpukur, Debipur, Balarampur, Chak Rosul Mammud - Kaikhali, Keoradangi, Nursikdarchak.

Religious Institute:
1. St Anne's Convent, Raghabpur
2. St. Anne's Convent, Gobrachak
3. Holy Cross Convent (HCM), Bakeswar
4. St. Mary's Residence, Bakeswar

School:
1. St. Paul's High and Higher Secondary School, Raghabpur
2. St Anne's Free Primary School, Raghabpur.

College:
St. Xavier's College (Autonomous), Kol., Raghabpur Campus

Lay/otherAssociations:
Parish Council, S.V.P, C.L.C, Youth, BCC, Altar Servers, Women Commission, Laity Commission, Family Commission.7



Religious Staff

Fr. Joachim Toppo, SJ, Parish Priest
Fr. Johnson Padiyara, SJ, Principal
Bro. Chottu Hembram, SJ, Prefect (S)
Sch. Manu Tomy, SJ, Regency
Sch. Bimal Soreng, SJ, Student
Br. Dipak Mandi, SJ, Studies