Hyderabad: The nearly century-old Sacred Heart Church in Lallaguda faces an uncertain future following an eviction notice.
The parish church, serving the Catholic community in South Lallaguda, has been directed by the South Central Railway (SCR) to vacate the premises. According to SCR, the church, situated in the SLGD Officers and Staff Colony, was built unlawfully on railway land.
The South Central Railway (SCR) has issued a notice declaring the Sacred Heart Church in Lallaguda, built in 1927, as an encroachment on railway land, ordering its vacation within a month. The notice warns that non-compliance will lead to eviction proceedings under the Public Premises (Eviction of Unauthorized Occupants) Act, 1971, along with possible legal action.
Historically, Lallaguda was the Loco Headquarters of the Nizam’s Guaranteed State Railway Company in the early 1900s. The Catholic community in the area initially celebrated Mass at the Railway School, conducted by a priest from St. Mary’s Church, Secunderabad.
In 1927, the Railways allotted land for the construction of a church. The church, designed in the shape of a cross, was completed for a cost of ₹7,000, with ₹1,000 contributed by the Nizam. Dedicated to the Sacred Heart, it was blessed by Msgr. Vismara, the third Bishop of Hyderabad. Historical records mention an amusing dispute during its early days, when residents objected to the tolling of the church bell at 5:30 a.m., which Fr. Tinti, the priest, managed to resolve diplomatically. The bell continues to toll to this day.
Over the years, the church underwent several renovations. In Fr. Madanu Arogyam’s tenure, an asbestos structure with a gallery was added and inaugurated by Archbishop Samineni Arulappa. Later, during Fr. Chopparapu Arogyam’s time, the asbestos roof was replaced with RCC roofing, and further upgrades were made. The renovated chapel was blessed by Archbishop Marampudi Joji in 2004.
Church representatives were unavailable for comment on the SCR notice, leaving the community uncertain about the future of this historic structure.
