St. Anthony's Catholic Church of Pandateruppu

On behalf of our families, both near and far, I extend our heartfelt gratitude for your active participation, unwavering dedication, and invaluable contributions throughout the journey of restoring our beloved St. Anthony’s Church.

First and foremost, we express our sincere appreciation to our Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Jesuthasan, for his pivotal role in reactivating the St. Anthony’s Church bank account, which had been inactive for over two decades. This complex process, which took approximately 6 to 8 weeks, would not have been possible without your steadfast administrative guidance and leadership. Your efforts enabled the committee—particularly our Treasurer—to maintain transparent and accurate financial records.

We are also especially grateful to you, Fr Jesuthasan for your presence at the inaugural Zoom meeting for the renovation project in October 2024. This meeting followed initial conversations among families, both local and abroad, about the need to restore our church. Your participation, alongside respected senior members such as Mrs. Ranee Pathmanathan, brought a deep sense of meaning and connection as we reflected on the church’s legacy. It was a powerful moment as we recalled how our great-grandparents and parents undertook the first renovation—and now, how we are entrusted with preserving this sacred place for future generations.

Furthermore, we acknowledge that discussions regarding the urgent need for a small porch began in 2023. This request was initially brought to Rev. Fr. Pathinathan, who thoughtfully presented it to Bishop Justin Gnanapiragasam. We remain grateful to Fr. Pathinathan for his support and encouragement during his ministry.

Despite the challenges of differing time zones, the commitment of our members to attend Zoom meetings has been truly commendable. The unity and enthusiasm shown by both local and overseas members have been vital in advancing this restoration project.

On behalf of all families, I sincerely thank:

Our Parish Priest - Rev. Fr. Jesuthasan

Civil Engineer -Mr. Vaseekaran Mariyanayagam

Sacristan- Mr. Rohan Alphonsus Treasurer - Mrs. Eugine Ravikumar Secretary - Mr . Reggi

Volunteers- Mr Ilanco Anthonipillai 

Mrs Sujitha pius 

Miss zamina Selvarajah 

Mrs Chandrika Joseph 

for their tireless dedication and on-site involvement alongside the workers.

We must also take a moment to appreciate the exceptional beauty of the arches beneath the church roof. It is truly awe-inspiring to witness the architectural excellence our ancestors achieved—without the aid of modern machinery like lifting cranes. Their craftsmanship, devotion, and spiritual foresight remain a lasting testament to their faith. Indeed, these arches are unmatched in beauty within the Jaffna Diocese.

The successful restoration would not have been possible without the expert supervision and guidance of Mr. Vaseekaran Mariyanayagam, whose knowledge of construction materials and their durability ensured a high standard of quality and longevity in the work.

Our sincere thanks also go to Rev. Fr. Jesuthasan for his consistent oversight, clear vision, and encouragement of active involvement from parishioners. Your leadership inspired a collective sense of purpose, strengthening unity and fostering a shared commitment to preserving our cherished church.

Finally, we extend our heartfelt appreciation to Mr. Priyatharsan Pathmanathan, our IT engineer, for securing and organizing the official website for St. Anthony’s Church, Pandatheruppu. His initiative allows future generations to connect with the rich Christian heritage nurtured by our missionary fathers and ancestors. We are especially grateful for his work in publishing the church’s vision, mission, and core values online.

Let us continue this sacred journey together with faith, unity, and dedication—to restore and preserve the legacy of St. Anthony’s Church for generations to come.

With gratitude and blessings,

Rohini Alphonsus

On behalf of families initiated the renovation work at St Anthony’s Church Pandatheruppu

The following historical sources remain to be collected for documentation of the history of St. Anthony’s Church:

1. Official Records from the Bishop’s House, Jaffna

Upcoming Writings: Civil War and Displacement – A Pastoral and Community Journey

1. Parish Priests’ Pastoral Mission and the Faithful’s Participation During the Indian Peace Keeping Force Era and the First Displacement of Parish Members (1983–1995)

This section will explore the pastoral leadership of parish priests and the active engagement of parish communities during the challenging period marked by the presence of the Indian Peace Keeping Force (IPKF). It will also document the experiences surrounding the first displacement of parish members.

2. Post-War Reconstruction and Revival of St. Anthony’s Church Activities (1995–2014)

Following the end of the war, this segment will highlight the efforts of parish priests and parish families in rebuilding and restoring the religious, spiritual, and communal life centered around St. Anthony’s Church.

3. Parish Resettlement and Community Development (2015–2025)

The final part will focus on the resettlement of parish members, examining how the community has re-established itself, rebuilt homes and livelihoods, and revitalized parish life in the decade following resettlement.

If anyone is able to take the time to complete any of these tasks, it would be greatly appreciated. Please coordinate with Donor Coordinator Rohini Alphonsus or Web Design Coordinator Priyatharshan Pathmanathan for uploading any documents to this website.