Address: Hesarghatta Main Rd, Silvepura, Kasagattapura, Karnataka 560089, India
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Overview
A statue of Jesus displaying His Sacred Heart is the focal point of the façade of the Sacred Heart Church in a magnificent setting on the edge of Silvepura on the northwestern periphery of Bangalore. The church building was blessed and inaugurated January 21st, 2010 by the Most Rev. Dr. Bernard Mor, Archbishop of Bangalore. The peaceful interior of the spacious church has been recently repainted and decorated with Kerala-style colors and imagery. The parish was founded around 1880 by the Paris Foreign Missions Society (Missions Etrangeres de Paris, the “MEP”) who oversaw the Diocese of Mysore at that time. On the grounds is the skeleton of a previous church building which is now used for larger gatherings such as weddings. Near the church is the Sacred Heart School and St. Anne’s Convent which is part of the Sisters of St. Anne, Bangalore (see more below). The vibrant parish hosts daily and weekend Masses for the growing faith community.
Special things to see in the Church
• The Sacred Heart of Jesus is depicted in several artifacts in the church including in statues of Jesus on the façade of the church and a regal image of Jesus as King displaying His Sacred Heart on the right side-altar. Smaller images of the Sacred Heart radiating love and mercy are located in the sanctuary and in the pediments of the side-altars.
• The color-filled sanctuary is anchored by a full-size crucifix of Jesus whose glory in death is illustrated by 16 golden rays emanating from behind. Directly overhead is the Holy Spirit represented by a dove and above is a white-bearded image of God the Father. The sacred space is separated by a communion rail and also houses a lovely carved wood altar with a scene of the Last Supper, wood clergy chairs and ambos.
• Four paintings of important scenes from the life of Christ adorn the sanctuary walls: the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist; the Holy Family in a Nativity setting; Jesus’ Resurrection; and the Agony in the Garden.
• There are six beautifully refurbished statues surrounding the worship space: Jesus as King with His Sacred Heart; Infant Jesus in a unique 3-color design with gold trim; a crowned-image of St. Anthony and the Child Jesus; a golden-presentation of Our Lady of Vailankanni and Child; St. Joseph and Child; and Mother Mary in a sari. Our Lady of Perpetual Help and Child is displayed on the side wall in a traditional gold-framed image and on the façade of the church in a more contemporary setting
• Hand-painted Stations of the Cross with Kannada inscriptions adorn the walls.
Interesting Facts About the Church
Adjacent to the church is St. Anne’s Convent built in 1992 to house a community of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Anne, Bangalore (SAB). The SAB was founded in 1857 by Msgr. Bishop Stephen Louis Charbonnaux of the Paris Foreign Mission Society (MEP) as a part of the Good Shepherd Sisters of Angers, France. The local presence of the SAB was necessary to provide care and support of the Kannada and Tamil-speaking population. In 1959, the SAB became an autonomous organization separating from the Good Shepherd Sisters with the efforts of Archbishop Thomas Pothacamury. The SAB has grown substantially to over 600 sisters across 23 dioceses in India, U.S., Germany and Tanzania. The southern province of the SAB in India is called Our Lady of Mercy Province serving Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The motto of the SAB, “Love and Service” is carried out through the administration of many schools, hospitals and social work.
The Parish Foreign Missions Society (MEP) came to Mysore in 1845 and established the diocese headquarters in Bangalore in 1886. The MEP missionaries are responsible for the construction of several beautiful churches in Bangalore including: St. Francis Xavier Cathedral (1932), St. Mary’s Basilica in Shivajinagar (1882), Sacred Heart Church (1895) and St. Patrick’s Church (1844).
