Cathedral

Thanks to the Society of Jesus Christian faith sprouting out in the Vellore soil in 1604. As the faithful numbers increased, the Christian community in Vellore was in need of a Church building for the celebration of the Eucharist and sacraments. In 1854 Vellore was made a parish. In the same year Assumption church was built. It was under the Madras Archdiocese and looked after by the Mill-Hill Fathers. In 1928, the North Arcot mission was entrusted to the care of Salesians of Don Bosco. The constant pastoral care given by them resulted in the wide spread of Christian faith in this region.  
 
On 13 November, 1952, Catholic Diocese of Vellore was bifurcated from Arch Diocese Madras-Mylapore and Assumption church was announced as the cathedral of the new born Diocese of Vellore. In 1955, Rt. Rev. David Maria Nayagam, DD, then Bishop of Vellore Diocese repaired the Assumption Cathedral and consecrated it. During the time of Rt. Rev. Michael Augustin, DD, Rev. Msgr. A. Nambikairaj built the right and left wings of the cathedral. Even with these extensions, the cathedral had space only for 300 to 500 people.
 
Assumption cathedral was demolished and basement for the new cathedral was blessed in the year 1999, May 24. The new and one of the biggest Cathedrals in Asia was consecrated on 15 September, 2002 by His eminence Simon D. Lourdusamy and opened by Very Rev. Bernard Prince. Blessed Sacrament chapel, prayer meeting hall, Glass paintings of 18 important events of salvific history and 15 mysteries of Rosary, and 165 feet height Belfry are special features of the new cathedral. The present cathedral is spacious and 3000 to 5000 people can take part in the worship at the same time. As the Tabernacle was in the Blessed Sacrament chapel inside the cathedral, people wanted a tabernacle near by the altar in the main church. With the contribution of the parishioners of the Cathedral and Cathedral Administrator Very Rev. Fr. A. Kulandesu, our beloved Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. P. Soundararaju SDB, DD, placed the tabernacle under the beautiful crucifix nearby the main altar and blessed it. Very many people from other religions visit the cathedral and pray here. The Assumption cathedral, the mother Church of the Diocese of Vellore offers the atmosphere to every Christian faithful to encounter God and thus it remains as the place of celebrating God’s love and mercy.
 
Liturgical Events and Timings
Day Event Timings
Sundays First Mass 06.15 am
  Second Mass 08.00 am
  Mass (Ariyur) 08.00 am
  Evening Mass 05.30 pm
Week days Mass 06.15 am
Tuesdays Mass (Cathedral) 06.15 am
  Novena Mass (St. Antony Chapel, Kasba) 06.30 pm
Thursdays Mass 06.15 am
  Novena Mass (Infant Jesus) 06.30 pm
Saturdays Mass 06.15 am
  Rosary, Novena Mass (Our Lady of Perpetual Help) 6.15 pm
First Friday Mass 06.15 am
  Adoration & Mass 06.30 pm