Immaculate Conception Church at Serampore (close to Kolkata) was blessed by His grace Thomas D’Souza, Archbishop of Calcutta on May 6, 2018. Fr. Dominic Gomes, Vicar General and other priests and religious from various religious Congregations were also present at the blessing. The parishioners were very happy to share their joy and gave thanks to God for the renovated church.
The church was built along the river Hooghly in 1776 by Jesuit missionaries. Over the years, it has gone through many phrases of renovation. In 2009 the Archdiocese of Calcutta entrusted the administration of the parish and pastoral care to the people to the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts. Since then the Congregation is serving in this parish.
Renovation work started in November 2017. The presbytery, the community centre and the church was renovated to give a facelift to this historical church. The Archdiocese of Calcutta got the fund for renovation from the Archdiocese of Cologne, Germany. The parishioners also made selfless contribution towards the renovation and furnishing of the church with statues and other necessities.
After the blessing, the archbishop celebrated thanksgiving Eucharist in the newly renovated Church and confirmed 21 adults at this Mass. The day ended with a beautiful cultural program and a fellowship meal. Fr. Umakant Porichha, ss.cc., priest-in-charge thanked the archbishop, the parishioners, the benefactors and all well-wishers for their contribution and support towards the renovation of the church and the celebration of its blessing.
05/12/2018