History
The history of presence of the Catholic Church in Nimar began with those who worked in the Railways and British administration. The evidence of the advent of Church in Nimar region began with the coming of the Missionaries of St. Francis De Sales (MSFS) to Asirgarh Fort during the reign of the Mugals. To take care of the needs of the faithful Rev. Fr. Amadeys Delalex, one of the French MSFS stationed at Jabalpur, then under the jurisdiction of Vizagapatanam, used to visit Khandwa since 1866. Rev. Fr. Amadeys Delalex MSFS, who was a military chaplain of Jabalpur, visited periodically Asirgarh Fort, which was 51km away from Khandwa on foot. In 1870 Rev. Fr. J. Thevenet MSFS built a small chapel at Khandwa, later in 1879 a Church in gothic style was built. Bishop Tissot of Vishagapatanam in the presence of Dr. Meurin, Vicar Apostolic of Bombay, solemnly blessed it. Rev. Fr. Adolphe Souchon was appointed the first resident priest of Khandwa from 1880 to 1888. The Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Chambery was invited by Rt. Rev. Charles Felix Pelvat MSFS (Bishop of Nagpur) to begin education apostolate at Khandwa in 1892. Mission activities in Khandwa area gained momentum with the arrival of Franciscan Missionary Brothers in December 1901. (30th December 1901). The first among them was Brother Paulus Mortiz. On 15th January 1902 the first village school was opened at Roshnai followed by one in Aulia. In 1904 Fr. J. Andrews MSFS started R. C Mission School, which is today known as St. Thomas Higher Secondary School. In 1912 Rev. Fr. Fidelis laid the foundation stone for church at Sirpur. Thus Khandwa slowly emerged as Epicentre of intense missionary activities under Franciscan Brothers (CMSF). During the First World War German Brothers were sent to internment camps by the British causing set back to missionary activities. In the early 19th century capuchin fathers from Ajmer started visiting the princely state of Barwani, where Goan Catholics were the courtiers, musicians and cooks. The King of Barwani was very pleased with them and when they requested the king to have a place of worship, instantly he provided place for them and at their request Fr. Charles Ploemeur OFM Cap. started visiting Barwani since 1922 from Ajmer, and thus formed a platform for the evangelization among the Barela Tribe. In 1928 the mission was brought under the prefecture of Jabalpur. The MSFS fathers left the mission after 68 years of zealous service.
In 1934 the mission was handed over to the Society of the Divine Word. The era of the second phase of missionary activity in Nimar region thus began. Rev. Fr. Valerian Zimmerman SVD was appointed the parish priest of Barwani. However he did not stay there for long. In 1935 Rev. Fr. William Wuellner took charge of Barwani mission. While the work was going on among the Barelas of Barwani area, the SVD missionaries also turned their attention to Balahis and Korkus of Khandwa region. Rev. Fr. Jacob Lercher SVD was the pioneer who used to visit Korku settlements in deep jungles. Rev.Fr. William Knopp SVD who worked among the Balahis gained gradual entry into Korkus settlement at Dongalia. Meanwhile Missionary Sisters Servants of the Holy Spirit (SSpS) arrived at Khandwa and began an orphanage for girls in 1940.
UNDER INDORE DIOCESE
Rt. Rev. Bishop Francis Simons SVD, the first shepherd of Indore Diocese gave utmost priority to East and West Nimar Mission. During his tenure many new stations like Nepanagar (1957) were opened and new educational institutions were initiated. This phase of time was marked by the entry of many women religious congregation like CMC sisters at Burhanpur (1965), S.Sp.S at Aulia (1963), Lay Missionaries at Barwani (1952), Augustinian Sisters at Sendhwa (1972)
KHANDWA DIOCESE
The year 1977 is a landmark in the history of Catholic Church in Nimar region. Nearly a century later Khandwa was given the status of Parish, whole Nimar region was raised to a new Diocese. Khandwa Diocese came into existence formally on 3rd February 1977, by the ‘Papal bull’ of Pope Paul VI on 4th March 1977, comprising four civil districts namely Khandwa, Khargone, Burhanpur and Barwani. Rev. Fr. Abraham Viruthakulangara was appointed the first bishop of newly erected Khandwa Diocese and was ordained Bishop of Khandwa on 13th July1977. The New Shepherd erected new parishes, hostels and both English and Hindi Medium Schools. He was transferred to the See of Archdiocese of Nagpur in 1998. The period between his transfer and the appointment of the new bishop, the diocese was governed by Rev. Fr. Jose Abraham Vaipana as the administrator. On 29th June 1999 Rev. Fr. Leo Cornelio SVD was appointed the new Bishop of Khandwa by Pope John Paul II and was consecrated on 8th September 1999. Bishop Leo Cornelio was transferred to Archdiocese of Bhopal and the See of Khandwa Diocese again became vacant. Rev. Fr. M. Chinnappar governed the diocese as administrator till Rev. Fr. Alangaram Arokia Sebatin Durairaj SVD was ordained as the Bishop of Khandwa Diocese on 16th July 2009. When Bishop A.A.S Duriraj SVD was transferred to Archdiocese of Bhopal and the See of Khandwa Diocese again became vacant. Rev. Fr. Augustine Madathikunnel governed the diocese as an administrator till 17th February 2024. Then he was ordained as a bishop of Khandwa on 21st March 2024.
(c) 2025 Directory, Khandwa Diocese