If you are in Coimbatore and want to explore something for your spiritual energy, there are many churches in the city that you can visit. Out of all of them, Our Lady of Fatima Church is the prominent one in the town, located in Gandhipuram. Dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, a title given to the Virgin Mary by Catholics, this church has a rich history of over 60 years. This blog discusses this church in detail and why you should add this historical site to our Coimbatore tour.
All About Our Lady Of Fatima Church
Image Credit: Ssriram mt for Wikimedia Commons
Amidst the hustle and bustle of Coimbatore city, Our Lady of Fatima Church promises to provide a calming and peaceful environment for all visitors. One of the oldest Catholic churches in Coimbatore, this place carries a rich history of over 60 years.
Inaugurated in January 1955 at St.Mary’s Primary School by Father Peter Damian, this church was blessed on December 23, 1962. A beautiful church located in Gandhi Puram in Coimbatore features a brilliant architectural style.
One major celebration at this church is Christmas, for which it gets all decked out. Not just decoration and carols, the celebration at this church also includes a special tradition where the visitors pick one star from the Christmas tree with a specific clothing name on it, which they then purchase and hand over to the Church.
Also Read: Churches In Coimbatore
History Of Our Lady Of Fatima Church
Image Credit: Ideefixe for Wikimedia Commons
Our Lady of Fatima Church is one of Coimbatore’s oldest churches, with a rich history of over 60 years. The story of this church dates back to 1955. Savarimuthu, a bishop, gave five acres of land to a group of Capuchin friars. These Capuchin friars were the people who belonged to the Franciscan order of the Roman Catholic church, and they got the duty of constructing a church and a seminary. They were also asked to take care of St Mary’s school, which stands opposite the church.
Later, Father Peter Damian, a priest from the Diocese of Kumbakonam, supervised the church’s construction and transformed the desolate land with thorny bushes into the magnificent church you see today. The church was dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, a title used by Catholics for Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ. Apart from supervising the church’s construction, Father Peter Damian also used to conduct masses at the school, and it is said that the friars were so dedicated to the church that they used to sleep under the open sky until the construction was completed.
Finally, in 1962, the construction of the church was completed, and the first Latin mass was celebrated here. From that time, the Catholic community in Gandhipuram flourished and grew in number under the leadership of Father Peter Damian. The church’s construction has an amazing history, with its foundation being almost 12 feet below and the bell tower being 25 feet.
Top Places To Visit Near Our Lady of Fatima Church
Some of the most popular places to visit near Our Lady Of Fatima Church are mentioned below:
1. GD Naidu Car Museum
Image Credit: PJeganathan for Wikimedia Commons
After receiving Jesus’ blessings at Our Lady of Fatima Church, make sure you visit the GD Naidu Car Museum in Coimbatore for a peek into the mysterious world of the automotive industry. This museum came into existence because of the hobby of Gopalaswami Doraiswamy Naidu, or GD Naidu, a great scientist and philanthropist, to collect exclusive cars with fascinating histories.
Strategically located in the centre of Coimbatore city, this vintage car museum is one of the popular tourist attractions near Our Lady of Fatima Church. In this museum, you will see a splendid collection of diverse, classic, and exclusive vehicles. On entering the museum, you will witness a captivating journey into the history of automobiles. You can explore a magnificent selection of vintage and classic cars from the late 19th century to the 21st century. This place is a paradise for car lovers as they explore the diverse range of unique and iconic cars along with a hands-on introduction to automobile engineering.
Location: 4.3 km from Our Lady of Fatima Church
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm from Tuesday to Saturday and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm on Sunday
Related Post: Famous Churches In Kerala
2. Brookefields Mall
Image Credit: Faheem9333 for Wikimedia Commons
After exploring the car museum, it is time for some ultimate shopping experience at one of the largest shopping malls in Tamil Nadu, Brookefields Mall, located on Dr Krishnaswamy Mudaliar Road in Coimbatore. This one is the biggest mall in Coimbatore, featuring a total retail space of approximately 4.5 lakh square feet, where you will find a variety of stores offering fashion, accessories, electronics, and home decor products from national and international brands.
This mall has four floors and over 200 shops offering a wide range of products and services. Come to this mall, and you will find nearly everything, from electronics, fashion, home decor, books, and accessories. In terms of entertainment, Brookefields Mall is fully equipped with a wide range of entertainment facilities, including games, rides, and movies. From arcade games, VR, and bowling to roller coasters, carousels, and multiplexes, there is a lot to explore at this mall.
Location: 3 km from Our Lady of Fatima Church
Timings: 10:00 am to 11:00 pm
3. TNAU Botanical Garden
Image Credit: Yuvarani N for Wikimedia Commons
After visiting all these concrete tourist spots, if you want to unwind your day amidst nature, then TNAU Botanical Garden in Coimbatore is the right place for you. This place is like a mini-version of the forest, a great escape from the concrete buildings of the city. Visiting this garden is an excellent opportunity to connect with nature, soak in its beauty, and explore a diverse range of flora from around the world.
Located on the campus of Tamil Nadu Agricultural University, the TNAU Botanical Garden is a must-visit tourist place in Coimbatore. It is a place to relax after a hectic week. Exploring this garden provides not only a calming and peaceful environment to contemplate but also teaches you the importance of plants in human well-being and the ecosystem. This botanical garden in Coimbatore was established in 1925. It is spread across an area of 300 hectares and is divided into various sections, including the Herbal Garden, Ornamental Garden, Arboretum, and Conservatory.
Location: 5 km from Our Lady of Fatima Church
Timings: 8:00 am to 11:15 am and 2:00 pm to 4:15 pm
You May Also Like To Read: Hotels In Town Hall
There are many popular Churches in Coimbatore city that are marvellous in their architecture and are a testament to the unity and diversity in the city. Our Lady of Fatima Church is one of the oldest churches in Coimbatore city, where you can pray in solace and admire its beautiful interiors. The cheerful ambience and the firm belief associated with it make this church the most-visited place in Coimbatore. So, if you are planning a trip to Coimbatore, visit this church to seek the blessing of the Virgin Mary.
For our editorial codes of conduct and copyright disclaimer, please click here.
Cover Image Credit: Ssriram mt for wikimedia commons
Frequently Asked Questions About Our Lady of Fatima Church
Who is Our Lady of Fatima?
Our Lady of Fatima is the special title given to the Virgin Mary. She got this name as in 1917, she appeared in front of three shepherd children near the village of Fatima, Portugal. When asked about her identity, she called herself the Lady of the Rosary.
Who did Our Lady of Fatima appear to?
Our Lady of Fatima appeared in front of three shepherd children viz a nine-year-old Lucia dos Santos, and eight years old Francisco and Jacinta Marto, her cousins. The three kids were tending their sheep in central Portugal when they saw a woman surrounded by light who introduced herself as the Lady of the Rosary.
Where exactly is Our Lady of Fatima Church located in Coimbatore?
Our Lady of Fatima Church is located at 4th Street Extension of Gandhipuram in Coimbatore. This is one of the oldest churches of Coimbatore dedicated to Our Lady of Fatima, a title given to Virgin Mary.
When was Our Lady Fatima Church in Coimbatore built?
The construction of the Our Lady of Fatima Church started in 1955 when Savarimuthu, a bishop, gave five acres of land to a group of Capuchin friars. However, it was in 1962 when the final construction of the church was completed, and the first Latin mass was celebrated.
What are the other popular churches of Coimbatore?
There are many churches in Coimbatore, and all of them are marvellous in their architecture. Some of the must-visit churches in Coimbatore are St Anthony’s Church in Puliakulam, CSA All Souls Church at Race Course Road, and Bethel City Cathedral in BKR Nagar.
People Also Read:
Churches In West Bengal Churches In Darjeeling Churches In Kanyakumari
With a passion for exploring and travelling to the roads long forgotten, experience the world through enthralling stories and adventures. Join me as I share my experiences at some of the world’s most popular tourist destinations and quench that pestering curiosity with something exciting!
