For the first time, since its inauguration forty-five years, the church at Besant Nagar — also known as Annai Vailankanni Church — will lack the splendour that characterises it during the annual 10-day feast.
The Annai Vailankanni Church has been razed to the ground to facilitate the construction of a bigger structure. However, the chapel at the shrine, located on the same premises, remains untouched. Father B.K. Francis Xavier, rector and parish priest, has assured parishioners and pilgrims that the feast would not lack the usual grandeur.
“In fact, it will be grander still,” says Xavier, adding that the new building will come up in one or two years depending on the availability of funds. According to a pamphlet issued by the church, the existing church is too small to accommodate both parishioners and pilgrims.
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The roof of the church has become weak. “The roof is chipping off; once, during a liturgical gathering, a piece of it fell down,” reads the pamphlet. Also, due to the problem of erosion caused by the sea and other issues, the church, including its interiors, have been progressively getting damaged. As renovation of the structure is not possible, the decision to build a new church on the premises has been taken. The imposing 97-feet-tall belfry was declared open on August 27, 1972. Later, on September 8, 2005, the church was declared a shrine by the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, Rev. A.M. Chinnappa.
The new church will have basement parking. This space would also be used to hold meetings.