The newly constructed St. Antony’s Church at the 155th Mile Post in the Parish of Kilinochchi was officially blessed and opened on June 6.
The opening ceremony, which coincided with the first day of preparations for the feast of St. Anthony, was organized under the guidance of Parish Priest Rev. Fr. Jayakumar.
The Bishop of Jaffna, Rt. Rev. Dr. Justin Bernard Gnanapragasam, blessed and declared the church open, and celebrated the Holy Mass.
A large number of priests, religious sisters, and faithful participated in the celebration.
The history of the church dates back to 1975, when it was first established as a thatched chapel by Rev. Fr. Edmond Michael of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. In 1986, during the tenure of Rev. Fr. Pius, the chapel was rebuilt in a hexagonal design.
The church was subsequently damaged during an aerial attack by Sri Lankan Air force in 1996. It was rebuilt in a rectangular form in 2000 under the leadership of the then Parish Priest, Rev. Fr. Thevasagayam.
Following the resettlement of families after the final stages of the war in Mullivaikkal, the foundation stone for the present octagonal church was laid in 2010 during the tenure of Rev. Fr. Jesuthas.
Construction work was later continued under Rev. Fr. Sylvesterthas and was brought to completion during the tenure of Rev. Fr. Jayakumar, culminating in the opening of the new church.
It is noteworthy that financial assistance for the construction project was provided not only by parishioners but also by faithful from neighbouring parishes and members of the Hindu community.
