PIME Mission in Khammam
A Journey of Faith, Service & Growth (1886 – Present)
Discover the story of PIME missionaries in Khammam, the establishment of the Diocese, the Catholic Center, and Blessed John Mazzucconi Parish — from the first expeditions to today’s vibrant faith community.
PIME Arrival in Khammam Area
The first missionary journeys into the Koya region marked the beginning of Catholic presence in Khammam.
- First expedition to the Koyas (1886)
- First Mass at Acchempalem (31 March 1886)
- Yellandu Mission established (1889)
PIME missionaries, ever since they landed in Hyderabad, searched for possibilities to evangelize in the Andhra region. Fr. Eugenio Salvi, with permission from Bishop Pietro Caprotti, began his first expedition to the Koya tribes in Bhadrachalam Hills in 1886.
Guided by Bro. John Hendricks, Fr. Salvi celebrated the first Mass at Acchempalem on March 31, 1886. His second expedition began on November 22, 1886, which unfortunately ended in tragedy.
In 1889, the Yellandu mission station began with nearly 80 catechumens. Later, in 1901, Fr. Ferdinando Rolla, PIME, expanded the mission at Bayyaram which became a parish in 1912 with 2700 Catholics across 65 substations—many of which later became full parishes.
History of Khammam Diocese
Key events that shaped the Diocese over the years.
- 1988 – Khammam Diocese created through Papal Bull “Perpetuam Rei Memoriam”.
- Most Rev. Joseph Rajappa appointed as first Bishop.
- 1992 – Msgr. Marampudi Joji appointed as second Bishop.
- 1997 – Msgr. Maipan Paul becomes third Bishop.
- Present Bishop: Sagili Prakash.
The Diocese of Khammam includes the entire revenue district. Over time, the Diocese expanded its pastoral, educational, and social service missions under different leaders.
Establishment of Catholic Center in Khammam North
A center built to support poor students, promote missionary vocations, and serve the community spiritually and socially.
During Bishop Aristide Pirovano’s leadership, PIME communities were encouraged to discover new ways of evangelization. The Indian PIME region felt called to support youth in Khammam, especially poor students who needed education.
Fr. Agusto Colombo, PIME arrived in India in 1952 and served in Khammam South from 1962–1969. He purchased land in Khammam North and built a two-floor structure in 1970 to serve as a hostel and community center.
The ground floor generated income for supporting the hostel, while the first floor accommodated students from low-income families studying in local schools and colleges.
Fr. Agusto Colombo, PIME
Fr. Agusto Colombo, PIME was a great missionary and visionary. He arrived in India in 1952. He was at Khammam South parish from 1962–1969. Fr. Augusto Colombo, who has been working in Khammam area, acquired a piece of land in Khammam North and started to build a beautiful complex with two floors in 1970. The ground floor was built in such a way it could be given for rent to have some financial sources to maintain a hostel for poor young students. The first floor was built in such a way that low-income young students could stay and have their education in local schools and colleges. PIME missionary priests have started to take care of the Catholic Center and also started to minister to the sacramental needs of the people.
Establishment of Blessed John Mazzucconi Parish
Blessed John Mazzucconi parish was bifurcated from the existing parishes of St. Joseph Khammam South parish and was canonically erected as a parish in 1973. Some of the substations of the Nelakondapalli and Prodduturu were added to the newly erected parish.
Fr. John Subramaniyam, PIME (1973–1984) became the first parish priest and was also Director of the Catholic Center. There was neither a church nor a presbytery, so they started to use one of the rooms on the ground floor of the Catholic Center to celebrate masses. The parish priest has been residing in one of the rooms in Catholic Center.
The parish was given a number of sub-stations namely: Ballepalli (which was erected a parish in 1996), Kanapuram, Raghunadhapalem, Kareavedu, Koyachiluka (Old & New Colony), Kaikondaigudem, Chintakani, and Pandurangapuram.
Fr. John Subramaniyam was a member of PIME. He served the parish from 1973 till 1984. During his time the first floor of the Catholic Center was used as a poor student’s hostel.
For many years the Catholic Center catered to the needs of many poor and low-income students for their education. The students stayed there for their lodging and travelled to go to different colleges in the area for their education. Those who stayed in Catholic Center had good education and have settled down in their lives and now have good jobs.
Some of the alumni who stayed in Catholic Center now belong to Bl. John Mazzucconi parish. Beginnings of any parish and organizations always have a humble starting. Fr. Subramanian went through the struggles of starting of the parish and kept the parish alive with limited resources. He had to think about how to run the new parish and also how to take care of the many substations. With great missionary zeal he continued to strengthen the parish community.
Fr. Carlo Rimondi, PIME (1984–1991) – Parish Priest and Director of Catholic Center
Fr. Carlo Rimondi arrived into the parish in 1984 when the things in the parish were not settled down. Still there was no church, no presbytery. Looking at all the challenges of the parish, Fr. Rimondi, who was devotee of Mother Mary, started to build a Grotto in 1986 and he called it Khammam Matha Grotto.
But before building any structure he had to clear the ground which was filled with huge rocks. It was a difficult task to level the ground. He continued the parish work and simultaneously he continued the work of helping the poor students' hostel.
Fr. Rimondi first constructed the Grotto (in 1987 the Grotto was blessed and inaugurated by Fr. Melchior, Chancellor of Warangal Diocese). After the ground was cleared he started to build a small church in 1987 in memory of Blessed John Mazzuconni. Bishop Thumma Bala blessed and inaugurated the church.
The Parish house (Presbytery) foundation stone was laid and blessed on 19-2-1989 by Rt. Rev. Joseph Rajappa, first bishop of Khammam. During the years 1990–91 commercial complexes in front of the presbytery were built. During Fr. Rimondi's time the Catholic Center was used for making the candles, hosts and other religious articles to be sold.
He continued to take care of the sub-stations namely Ballepalli (which was erected a parish in the year 1996), Kanapuram, Raghunadhapalem, Daraveedu, Koyachiluka (Old & New Colony), Kaikondaigudem, Chintakuti, Pandurangapuram. During his time Christian communities began their presence and then churches were built in Khanapuram and Daraveedu. Fr. Rimondi worked tirelessly for the growth of the parish.
Fr. Thota Balaswamy, PIME (1989–1993) – Parish Priest
Fr. Thota Balaswamy started to work at Blessed John Mazzucconi parish in 1989. He started to guide the parish with great spirituality. He did not construct any structures but he strengthened and united the community. During his time also he had to care for nine substations. Fr. Melchior used to help Fr. Thota Balaswamy whenever there was any pastoral need. Fr. Thota Balaswamy was a very simple and intelligent PIME missionary. Through his life experience he brought unity in the parish.
Fr. Orlando Quintaba, PIME (1993–1994) – Parish Priest
Fr. Orlando Quintaba worked for one year in Blessed John Mazzucconi parish. During his time, he was taking care of the parish and Fr. Melchior was taking care of Catholic Center. In spite of a short stay in the parish, Fr. Orlando continued the mission zeal to reach all the people in the parish and in the sub-stations.
Fr. Melchior Raja Durgam, PIME (1994–1998) – Director of Catholic Center & Parish Priest
In 1994, Fr. Melchior began his dual role as Director of Catholic Center and Parish priest. As soon as he took charge, he realized the great need to give maintenance to the PIME structures and parish structures. First, he began the repairs to the Catholic Center building and then straightened shopping complex rental administration.
During his time, a typing institution was established in order to provide an opportunity to the people to come and learn typing. During his time, with the suggestion of Bishop Marampudi Joji, the first floor of the Catholic Center was modified in order to run the social service of Khammam Diocese. The offices of Diocesan committees and Catholic book stall were established.
Meanwhile, Fr. Melchior was appointed as Vicar General of the Diocese and continued the parish work while administering the diocese. In 1996 all the substations of the Khammam North parish were entrusted to the pastoral care of MSIS fathers and later Ballepalli parish was established.
Fr. George Thailammanal (till 2004) – Parish Priest and Director of Catholic Center
Fr. George Thailammanal was appointed to the two positions at Khammam North. He took charge of Blessed John Mazzucconi parish and also the PIME Catholic Center. Since the substations of the parish were added to Ballepalli parish, Fr. George concentrated on the pastoral work of the parish and also different activities of the Catholic Center.
From Khammam he used to co-ordinate vocation promotion for PIME Institute. Through the Catholic Center, he was doing the work of mission animation and vocation promotion for PIME.
Fr. Guvala George (2004–2007) – Parish Priest (Khammam Diocesan Priest)
After the service of Fr. George Thailammanal, PIME in India could not replace him and so the PIME Regional Superior approached the Diocese of Khammam to appoint a diocesan priest. Fr. Guvala George was appointed pastor of the parish. He stayed for three years and was transferred. He continued the pastoral work of the parish but ministry through PIME Catholic Center was inactive for some time.
Fr. Arogyaswamy Vincent (2007–2010) – Parish Priest (Khammam Diocesan Priest)
Fr. A. Vincent was appointed pastor of Blessed John Mazzucconi parish in 2007. Once again, a Khammam Diocesan priest was assigned to the parish since PIME could not appoint one of its own priests. Fr. Vincent took care of the parish for three years. During his time, he strengthened Maria Dallam group and continued the pastoral work in the parish.
Fr. Augustine Mundupalakal, PIME (2010–2015)
After six years PIME was able to ask Fr. Augustine Mundupalakal to go to Blessed John Mazzucconi parish in order to revitalize the parish. Fr. Augustine willingly accepted the decisions of the superior and arrived at the parish.
As soon as he took charge of the parish he tried to observe the function of the community. In his time, he saw the community was growing day by day. He felt the need to construct a new church since the existing church space was not enough to accommodate all those who come for Mass.
Fr. Augustine, with great mission experience from his past, took daring steps to start the construction of the new church with little resources. In the past he built a church in Darbagudem parish and another church in Bhadrachalem parish.
There is a saying — “A thousand steps begin with a first step.” Trusting in the Lord he asked Bishop Paul Maipan to lay the foundation for the new church on 4-8-2013. When the foundation stone was laid, he never thought that the church he was going to build would be a big church. He started the work with little amount in hand.
People looking at his hard work started to come forward to help him. Finally major part of the work on the church was completed and it was inaugurated on 24th September 2015 by Most Rev. Msgr. Salvatore Pennacchio, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal.
After the inauguration of the new parish church, there were Fr. Prakash Nallamelli, PIME and Fr. Nani Charls Kale, PIME who served the parish for some time and then came Fr. Suresh Gorremuchu, PIME, who is serving the parish with lot of zeal and enthusiasm. He is also giving rebirth to different activities of the parish engaging all parish faithful, youth, Mariadalam, children and parish committee.
