OFM

St. Anthony’s Friary,
85, Hosur Road,
Bangalore – 560 095,
KARNATAKA.

Tel: 080- 41116811(Friary)
080- 25531989(Friary)
080-25539985(Parish)
080-41116831(Parish)

History

A Brief History of St. Anthony’s Friary Bengaluru

The presence of the Franciscan Order (OFM) in India traces its roots to 1935, when the Holy See entrusted the newly founded Mission of Sind and Baluchistan, headquartered in Karachi, to the Franciscans of the Dutch Province. As the mission grew, the need for a formation base in India became evident.

In April 1948, Friar Ambrose Yeddanapalli identified a suitable house on Sampangy Tank Road in Bengaluru (present-day Woodlands Hotel). On May 10, 1948, the first group of friars arrived from Karachi and were warmly welcomed by the Good Shepherd Sisters of St. Martha’s Hospital.

On May 20, 1948, Friar Denis Boers celebrated the first Mass and installed the Blessed Sacrament—marking the founding moment of the Province of St. Thomas the Apostle. The early community included Friars Denis, Ambrose, Bonaventure, Felix Boss, and Francis Serrao.

As more friars arrived, the Clarion family generously offered a bungalow on Wellington Street, which served as the community residence until part of the new friary was completed. On 13 November 1952, St. Anthony’s Friary—with a small chapel—was blessed. This chapel soon became a gathering place for Catholics from Adugodi and the surrounding areas.

On March 11, 1953, the Mission Unit of St. Anthony was formally erected, giving birth to St. Anthony’s Parish. As the Catholic community grew, the friars expanded the worship space:

• A larger friary chapel (for 100–150 people)

• A multipurpose hall (1976), raised by Abp. Pakiam Arogyaswamy

• And finally, the present spacious church, blessed on April 1, 2001 by Abp. Ignatius Pinto

Today, St. Anthony’s Parish has grown from a small seed into one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese of Bengaluru, serving over 5,000 families, enriched by vibrant spiritual care and active social outreach.

St. Anthony’s Seva Nilaya (Bread Centre)

Started modestly in 2003 by the OFM friars, this centre has grown into a lifeline for hundreds of people each day—ensuring no one in the neighbourhood goes hungry. Through daily meals and compassionate outreach, it has become a symbol of Franciscan service in action.

TAALA – Centre for Creative Learning

Inaugurated on 7 February 2011, TAALA was created as a response to the growing need for holistic personal development. It encourages individuals to tap into their own creative potential rather than relying solely on others for solutions—promoting meaningful human relationships and creative problem-solving.

IIPR – A Franciscan Academic Initiative

Since 2014, the Indian Institute of Psychology and Research (IIPR) has been managed by the Franciscan friars of the Order of Friars Minor. As an established and esteemed institution, Indian Institute of Psychology and Research (IIPR) is focused on this becoming of each individual. It may sound idealistic, but this is precisely our mission. It is what motivates the work of everyone at IIPR - from faculty and staff, to students and alumni, to our partners and supporters. It inspires our teaching and our research. It fuels our interaction with the principal, teachers and students. We believe in EDUCATION WITH CHARACTER; and an education updated to prepare students for our times. All across the globe, individuals, organizations, and governments recognize that education is the defining issue of our time, crucial to everything from personal opportunity and social mobility to world peace and prosperity. IIPR ensures that each student's journey through his/her training is meaningful, exciting, relevant and prophetic. We not just impart quality education but also create independent thinking and sensitive future leaders who are nurtured to serve as torch bearers to ignite many more minds and lead the country to the path of development with vision and dedication.