1685 A.D. – Construction of the First Chapel Later, Father Britto erected a small chapel at Vadakkankulam and consecrated it to the Holy Family in 1685 A.D. On the same occasion, approximately 200 people received baptism. 1693 A.D. – Fr. Ignatius da Costa and the Madurai Mission In 1693, Fr. Ignatius da Costa was appointed as the Socius (assistant and companion) to Fr. Dominicus de Almeida, the Provincial of the Jesuit Madurai Mission. During this period, Fr. Ignatius da Costa actively participated in the missionary expansion and pastoral administration of the inland Catholic missions of South India, including the regions associated with Vadakkankulam and the wider Madurai Mission network. Historical traditions suggest that one of the early missionaries associated with the Christian community of Vadakkankulam may have been Rev. Fr. Ignatius De Costa. His missionary activities were reportedly in progress when, around 1693, Rev. Fr. Dominicus De Almeyda, the Provincial, is believed to have taken him as his companion (Socius). Since the Provincial would likely have travelled through Vadakkankulam while journeying from Malabar to the Christian settlements of the Fishery Coast, it is possible that Fr. Ignatius De Costa became acquainted with Sandai, who is said to have come from the coastal region. According to local historical understanding, it is considered probable that Fr. Ignatius De Costa may have been the priest encountered by Sandai near the tank, and that he encouraged the establishment of an early missionary residence at Vadakkankulam. From 1698 onward, Vadakkankulam gradually developed into an important Catholic center and was shepherded by a long succession of dedicated parish priests. 1708 A.D. – Foundation of the Nemom Mission In 1708, Fr. Simon Carvalho established a mission station at Nemom. From this center, missionary activities expanded into Vadakkankulam and the Tirunelveli frontier regions of South Travancore. Vadakkankulam subsequently emerged as one of the southern frontier centers of the historic Madurai Mission and came to be regarded as the first major inland Catholic parish within the present geographical limits of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Tuticorin.
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