Catholic Church, Rangamati

Bandhu Jisu Tilla

P.O. Rangamati, Dist.: Rangamati-4500

Bangladesh

Cell phone (parish priest): +88 01716936509

Sunday:

Will be updated soon. 

Monday-Friday:

Will be updated soon. 

District: Rangamati

The area under Rangamati Sadar Upazila: Banduk Bhanga, Balukhali, Jibtali, Kutuk Chhari, Magban, Sapchhari.

The area under Kaukhali Upazila: Betbunia, Fatik Chhari, Ghagra, Kalampati.

The area under Baghaichari Upazila: Baghai Chari, Bangaltali, Saroatali, Kedarmara, Marishya, Rupakari, Sajek.

The area under Barkal Upazila: Aima Chhara, Bara Harina, Barkal, hushan Chhara, Shublong.

The area under Langadu Upazila: Atarkara, Bhasanya Adam, Bagachattar, Gulshakhali, Kalapakurjya, Langadu, Mayanimukh.

The area under Nanniarchar Upazila: Burighat, Ghila Chhari, Naniarchar, Sabekhyong.

Bangladesh is the land of eternal green. On the eastern horizon of this country, there are numerous small hills and a district – Rangamati. Karnaphuli is a crooked river coming down from Lusai Hills. Many lakes have been created by damming them. One of which is named Kaptai Lake. On the banks of this Karnaphuli is the beautiful Rangamati parish situated.

On 6th February 1955, Fr. B. Rodrigues left Chattogram for Rangamati by launch at 9 a.m. and arrived at 6 p.m. He spent the night at Rangamati Rest House which is currently used as the “Government Officers Club” on the east side of the church. The next day i.e. February 7th, there was a sudden meeting with Jimmy Gomes, a cook from D.C. at that time. It was Jimmy Gomes who helped Father Rodrigues buy the present site of the church. His house was next to it. DC Cornelius married a Chakma woman and moved to Dhaka. He was succeeded by a Catholic named Lt. Colonel Niblett as DC of Rangamati.

After constructing a small living room and kitchen out of bamboo, Father Rodrigues moved there on March 25, 1956, for permanent residence. During this time Rangamati was filled with deep forest – reserved forest. In mid-1957, Holy Cross Sisters were invited to come to Rangamati. But as they did not accept, four sisters from the RNDM congregation arrived at Rangamati in 1957. Their immediate residence is now known as St. Theresa’s Convent or Mission School. Father Desmond joined Rangamati in the same year.

In 1957, Fr. B. Rodrigues was the pastor, and Fr. Simon Thetha was the assistant. Many were initiated then. At this time R.N.D.M. Sisters’ house was built.

In 1960, Fr Albert Abo, CSC, parish priest received the charge and it was he who built the first wooden church in Rangamati which was blessed by then Bishop Raymond Larose, CSC. Later it was burnt and after repair currently being used as ‘Saint Joseph’s Hostel’.

In 1965, the main areas of spiritual work in Rangamati were: Khedamara, Balukhali, Bharbarbil, and Rangapani.

In 1966 Fr. Thetha, returned to Rangamati as the parish priest. The two assistant priests were Fr Sylvio Jean, CSC, and Fr Maurice D’Cruze, CSC. They walked far and wide on foot or sometimes in small boats in the forest area, from village to village, from neighborhood to neighborhood to spread the good news of Christ.

In 1967, 2.50 acres of land were compensated by the government for the acquired land of Rangamati parish, which now falls in the jurisdiction of Khagrachari parish. Fr Labe, CSC built a wooden two-storied building to house the fathers of Rangamati. Ningel Sadhu, the father of Bishop Patrick D’Rozario, CSC (now Cardinal), became the catechist of Rangamati. From here he probably migrated to India.

In 1967, Bishop Larose, CSC retired as the Bishop of Chattogram, and Bishop Joachim Rozario, CSC became the Bishop. Bishop Larose took charge as the Pastor of Rangamati parish in 1968 AD.

In 1978, Fr. Marshall St. Pierre, CSC took charge of Rangamati as the pastor. He built a prayer house (Anandadham), Pushpa Tant, Pushpa Tila housing project at Asambasti in Rangamati. After his death in 1985, Rangamati was without a priest for a long time. Sister Mary Adolf, RNDM managed all the spiritual work for a long time.

At that time, Fr. Nelson, CSC, Fr. Garibaldi, SX, Fr. Peter Saha, Fr. Philip D’Rozario from Chattogram Cathedral used to come from time to time to take pastoral and sacramental care of the Christians. It must be said that the hill on which the present church is located, was named “Friend Jesus Tila” by the heavenly Father St. Pierre.

In 1994 Fr Elias Palma, CSC was appointed parish priest of Rangamati. He came and got involved in local and far-flung apostolic work. His notable contributions include taking care of the mission land in the present Khagrachari district and getting to know the people there, initiating some persons in Khagrachari, and training Manju Laxman Tripura as a catechis, etc.

There were no Catholic cemeteries in this parish. With the support of Reverend Bishop Patrick and Vicar General Fr. Philip, the tireless efforts of Fr. Elias made it possible to purchase the land for the cemetery. After that, he was again transferred to Dhaka.

In 1998, Fr Joseph Jibon Gomes became the parish priest of Rangamati. In his absence (he was at the Cathedral) the old wooden two-storied rectory mysteriously burned to ashes on September 4, 1999, at about 1 a.m. In 2000, the present church and rectory were blessed and inaugurated. The image of Mother Mary given by Fr. Elias and the image designed by Fr. Joseph have been replaced in the newly built church in 2000 as a symbol of the Jubilee year.

In 1999, Father B. A. Nelson, CSC came to Rangamati as parish priest. He started the journey to the new cemetery next to Asambasti ‘Nirmala Maria’s Church’ and buried Pascalina Lusai on 5th July 2000 AD.

Parish Priest: Fr. Michael Roy. 

Congregation of Our Lady of the Missions (RNDM): 4 Sisters serving.

Will be updated soon. 

Will be updated soon. 

1. St. Teresa’s School, Est. 1959 AD. 
2. St. Teresa’s Girls’ Hostel, Est. 1959 AD. 
3. St. Joseph’s Boys’ Hostel, Est. 1986 AD. 

Rangamati Christian Cooperative Credit Union Ltd. 

Catholics: 355

Sub-centers: 1

Church wards: 2

Church: 2

Catechist: 1

Prayer leaders: 4 (Volunteers)

Parish workers: 3

Sister Teresa Sanju Asam, RNDM.