Vincentian House, Kuravilangad (N. Hill)

Established. 1962
Patron: Holy Family
D: Pala

Address:
Vincentian House
Nazareth Hill, Kuravilangad - 686 633
Kottayam, Kerala
04822-230325

• Fr. Chelapurath Francis - Member 
• Fr. Kodakallil Thomas (Clement) - Principal, De Paul Hr. Sec. School
• Fr. Mulamkombil Sebastian - Finance Officer V.H. & Bursar, De Paul Hr. Sec. School 
• Fr. Matheickal Jose - Member
• Fr. Painappillil Sebastian - Superior & Principal, De Paul Public School 
• Fr. Kozhupathadathil Aloshi - Bursar, De Paul Public School

• Holy Family Church (1955)
• De Paul Eng.Med.Hr. Sec. School (1966)-Tel: 04822 230371
• De Paul Public School (2002) -Tel: 04822 234437

Consultation to begin a new Ashram at Kuravilangad in the Diocese of Pala was initiated in 1962. A good number of candidates joining the Congregation at that time were from Pala Diocese. The authorities of the Congregation were convinced that an Ashram there would foster more vocations from Pala Diocese considered as very fertile as far as vocations were concerned. Fr. Kalapurackal Devasia who was from the locality and in charge of the filial Church put forward a suggestion that at Vettukadu on the South-Western border of the vast area of Kuravilangad parish a small shrine and 4 acres of land along with the Priest's House could be handed over for an Ashram. Those who initiated the discussions in this regard were Rev. Fr. KuriakoseMurickan who was from the parish of Muttuchira and was leading retired life at Angamaly Ashram and Rev. Fr. Augustine Changanacherry also from Muttuchira. The approval of the parish council was necessary to hand over the filial Church to us. The Bishop of Pala Diocese Mar Sebastian Vayalil gladly welcomed the Vincentian Congregation to his Diocese.

The registration of the property and the building was done on August 7, 1962. Rev. Fr. Joseph Kuruppamparambil was appointed as the first Superior of the Ashram. He took charge of the land, Church and the building now renamed as 'Nazareth Hill' on August 16, 1962 and began to stay there. Some modifications to the building were made under the direction of Fr. Joseph Kuruppamparambil after which the official inauguration of the Ashram took place on January 13, 1963, the feast day of the Holy Family. The Church was dedicated to the Sacred Heart. The main celebrant was Mar Sebastian Vayalil, bishop of Pala diocese.

When the suggestion to establish a Boys Home in Nazareth Hill, the authorities of the Congregation supported it wholeheartedly. The Congregation was not having any Boys Homes till that time. The foundation stone of the building for the Boys Home was blessed by Msgr. Jacob Naduvathussery on July 25, 1963 and the inauguration of the building was done by the Superior General on April 19, 1964 and boys were admitted the same year.

It was in May 1966 that the initial steps were taken to begin an English Medium School for the better education of the children and initial facilities for the same were set up. Before the formal beginning of the School, Fr. Joseph Kuruppamparambil was transferred to be Superior at Thodupuzha and Fr. John Rathappilly came to Kuravilangad as Superior. During the time of the latter De Paul School was begun as an Upper Primary School. One acre of land for the School was donated by Fr. Sebastian Karikulam and his relatives. Mr. M. M. Mathew who helped us to establish the School at Thodupuzha was very much helpful in the beginning stage of De Paul School Nazareth Hill as well. Gradually the School became a full fledged High School and is now a reputed institution of education. The present De Paul Public School is started in June 2002 and it follows the curriculum and syllabus of Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi.