St Anne’s: A church with unique architecture

Reporters Name | CAMIL PARKHE | Saturday, 27 June 2015 AT 11:49 PM IST

    

St Anne’s Church, Solapur Bazaar, Gopuram

Solapur Bazaar: St Anne’s Church, located in Solapur Bazaar, is unique among the churches in the city. The facade of the church building has a Gopuram in the architectural style of temples in south India. The centre of the facade also has a lotus. Besides, a majority of the church’s parishioners are Tamil-speaking.
St Anne’s Church was established in the early 19th century as a small chapel to serve Goan officers in the Peshwa’s army. The present church was constructed in 1963. Veteran Jesuit Fr JB Hass looked after St Anne’s Church for many years when it was still part of the St Xavier’s Church in Pune Camp. An independent St Anne’s Parish was established only in 1983.
In early 20th century, the then British government had given a piece of land in Mule Lines to St Anne’s Chapel. The land was used for building St Vincent’s Poor Home and a school. In 1979, the Tamil medium school turned into English medium St Anthony’s Middle School. Parish priest Fr Simon Almeida is assisted by Fr S Dhiruviyam. 

Mass timings
Weekdays: 6.30 am and 6.30 pm
Sunday: 7.30am (Tamil) 9 am and 6.30 pm (English)
Jurisdiction
Solapur Bazaar, Salisbury Park, Bhavani Peth, Nalini Apartments upto Gultekdi

Pune's St Anne’s Church enters 50th year

St Anne’s Church enters 50th year

CAMIL PARKHE
http://www.sakaaltimes.com/20120725/4848857293787076440.htm

Wednesday, July 25, 2012 AT 12:19 PM (IST)

Tags: St Anne's church,   church,   Solapur Bazaar,   camp,   19th century,  christian,   golden jubilee,   Pune,   Camil Parkhe

PUNE: St Anne's Church, which was first built as a small chapel in Solapur Bazaar in Pune Camp in early 19th century to serve the Goan officers in the Peshwa's army, is celebrating the golden jubilee of its foundation this week. The church community has arranged a four-day celebration, starting on July 26.

The church constructed in 1963 has a unique architecture. It is the only church in the city having its front view in the shape of a 'gopuram.' In fact, many people find it difficult to believe that the building is a Christian religion shrine.

In early 20th century, the then British government had given a piece of land in Mule Lines to St Anne's Chapel, which was used for building St Vincent's Poor Home and a school. In 1925, the school had 157 students. Veteran Jesuit Fr J B Hass looked after St Anne's Church which was still a part of the St Xavier's Church in Pune Camp.

In 1979, St Joseph's School, which was a purely Tamil medium school, turned into an English medium middle school. An independent St Anne's Parish was established only in 1983.

Church's parish priest Fr S A Louis told Sakal Times that the jubilee celebrations will be launched by Nashik diocese Bishop Lourdes Daniel with a mass at the church on July 26 evening.

Heads of the Pune provinces of the Jesuit and Salesian religious congregations, Fr Bhausaheb Sansare and Fr Michael Fernandes will celebrate the mass on July 27 while emeritus Bishop Valerian D'Souza will celebrate the mass on July 28.

Pune Bishop Thomas Dabre along with emeritus Bishop D'Souza will concelebrate the mass on the last day of the jubilee celebrations on July 29. The festivities will conclude with a community. The oldest members of the church and former parish priests will be feliciated during the jubilee celebrations.

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