z Premnagar, Jhansi – Diocese of Jhansi

Premnagar

St John’s Academy |

St. Jude’s Inter College (CMSF) |

Yesudham Ashram |

Shanthi Dham Ashram (FBBS) |

St. John the Evangelist Church

In 1938, the first batch of Maltese Capuchin priests arrived in Jhansi. Fr. Francis Xavier Fenech OFM Cap was the first superior general accompanied by Frs.
Leo, Andrew, George and Didacus. While Fr. Fenech stayed in 64 Cantonment, Fr. Andrew was directed to begin a station at Gharia where a good number of Anglo-Indian and Goan Catholics had settled. Most of them were employed in the Central Railways. Fr. Andrew rented an abandoned house in Gharia near the police station and stayed along with 8 brothers as his helpers like Br. Lawrence, Br. Felix, Br. Seraphin, Br. Crispin and others. Fr. Andrew then bought about 7 acres of barren land from the landlord of Gharia village where the present-day Church, parish house and cemetery stand. In the rented house, Fr. Andrew started a small printing press and brothers were asked to manage it. Along with
this, brothers also started a school with 12 boys. The number of students increased and by 1940, two brothers were teaching in the school. In the late forties, the press was shifted to Civil Lines. The rented house was turned into a primary school with 5 classes and 600 students. With the help of teachers nearby, Br. Lawrence managed the school. The press was managed by Br. Felix. Then, Fr. Andrew built the present church of St. John the Evangelist and was blessed on December 27, 1940 by Late Bishop F.X. Fenech. Along with the Church, the parish house and brothers’ quarters were built. Fr. Andrew was the first parish priest and 14 candidates were living with him. Fr. Andrew had Fr. Alex and Fr. Pius as his assistants. Fr. Andrew was transferred to Jaria in 1947 and Fr. Pius took charge of the parish. In 1941, brothers shifted to the present-day St. Jude’s School with Br. Lawrence as the principal and manager. Br. Lawrence bought about 10 acres of land from the zamindar of Gharia and the payment was done from the school. In 1956, the prefecture of Jhansi was raised to a diocese with Bishop FX Fenech as its first bishop. St. John’s parish then had about 140 Catholic families as its members. In 2016 Fr. Julian Fernandes started an English Medium Kindergarten at the premises of the presbytery by converting old boarding house into small class rooms for the
little children. Presently Fr. Soosai K.L.M. is the parish priest and in-charge of St. John’s Academy. Yeshudham Ashram in the Church campus was started by Fr.
Valerian Sadanand in 2001 for the spiritual needs of Christians and people of other Faith of Jhansi. It is a prayer house where people come from various places for their various needs specially

those who are sick and troubled are brought here to be prayed over for healing and strength. It is also a Retreat Centre and an Intercessory Prayer House. People of all walks from all over India request for prayers for their needs and intentions. Many benefit out of the Ashram Programs.

Established December 27, 1940
Patron St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
Patron’s Day December 27
Parish Priest Fr. Soosai K. L. M.
Phone 9005495484
Address Gharia Phatak, Premnagar,
Nagra, Jhansi 284 003
Catholics 410
St. John’s Academy
Established 2016
Principal Fr. Soosai K. L. M.
Phone 9450079770
Email soosaimaria591@gmail.com
Yeshudham Ashram
Established 2001
Priest in Charge Fr. Sadanand
Address 25/2 Police Chawki, Premnagar,
Jhansi- 284 003, U.P.
Phone 9415401495
Email Sadananddsouza@gmail.com
Franciscan Ashram CMSF
Established 1941(FBBS), 1988(CMSF)
Superior Bro. Varghese CMSF
Phone 8707066494, 9450403553
Email varkeypv1960@gmail.com
St. Jude’s Inter College (CMSF)
Established 1949
Principal Mr. Kerobim Ajay
Manager Bro.Varghese CMSF
Phone 9415502211
St. John Villa Convent (CSJB)
Established 2018
Superior Sr. Maria Jacintha, CSJB
Phone 6263901265
Email stjohnvilla@rediffmail.com

Established: December 27, 1940 | Patron’s Day: St. John, Apostle and Evangelist, December 27.

Order of Priests Incharge:

The Mission Contains:

St John’s Academy

Established 2016

St. Jude’s Inter College (CMSF)

Established 1949

Yesudham Ashram

Established 2001

Shanthi Dham Ashram

Established 1941(FBBS), 1988(CMSF)