Holy Family Church

Established 1883

           Catholics 750

Catholic Church, Chakhni

Rajwatia-845 101,

Bagaha (Via)

            West Champaran Dt., Bihar

            Catholic:750

Tel:(06251) 253259

Mass Centres: Bagaha, Bhatwa Tola, Valmikinagar

History:         

            The mission of Chakhni was started to provide a place for families of orphans to settle and support themselves.  In l874 there was a severe famine in Bihar and many people died.   The government sent about two hundred orphans to the missions in Bettiah and Chuhari to be cared for.  When these children became adults it was necessary to help them settle in life. The mission in Bettiah was able to purchase 270 bighas of land in Chakhni from the government.   Fr. Alexander, O.F.M. Cap. with some of the orphans from Chuhari went there to clear the land for a church, some simple houses and for farming.

            In the beginning this station was very bad for health and the missionary often suffered from malarial fever.  After two years the construction of a larger and safer house was begun with the help of the Vicar Apostolic.  On this construction about 8000 rupees were spent.  In 1889 Fr. Alexander was transferred to Allahabad, leaving the new house incomplete.  Afterwards it was completed by the new missionaries.  There was a small orphanage but in 1891 a new one was built.  Since with the increase of families and of orphans and neophytes the provisional chapel was insufficient and unworthy for religious celebrations, in 1898 Fr. Gerold began the construction of a larger and more beautiful church with three naves and two towers. It was completed in 1901 at the cost of 10,000.00 rupees.  Finally, on December 15, 1901 the Prefect Apostolic at the time of the Jubilee Triduum blessed the church solemnly according to the rite of the Roman Ritual and gave it the name of the Holy Family.  On this occasion the Christians rejoiced greatly. In 1902 Fr. Gerold went to Europe and on his return to the mission brought with him four bells.

            This church, which was blessed by the Prefect Apostolic, Fr. Hilarion OFN Cap on December 15, 190l, withstood the onslaught of the 1934 earthquake is still standing.

            The Sacred Heart Sisters came to Chakhni in February, 1932.  The first sisters, Sr. Maria, Sr. Josepha and Sr. Aloysia, started a middle school, took care of the boy and girl orphans and also old people who had no one to take care of them.  At present, in addition to teaching in the school, the sisters help in the parish.

            In 1993 a co-educational high school was started with the name of Fr. Pettit Memorial High School.  The present headmaster of the high school is Fr. Gabriel Michael, S.J.

In 2004, the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel, at the invitation of Bishop Victor Henry Thakur, came to Bagaha, about eight kilometers from Chakhni and have opened a school there which continues to grow.

Religious Congregations

1. Sisters of the Sacred Heart (SSH)

     Sacred Heart Convent

     Chakhni

     Rajwatia P.O., Bagaha (via) 845101

     West Champaran District, Bihar

      Tel. (06251)253302

2.  Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel (SG)

     Montfort School, Bagaha 845101

     West Champaran District, Bihar