Our History
From house Masses to a consecrated parish in Sector 34.
Our story
A parish born of faith and perseverance
St. Mary's Catholic Church, located in Sector 34, Noida, is a prominent spiritual, religious, and community center. Established as the first Catholic parish in the city, it serves thousands of faithful living across the region and operates under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese of Agra.
Dedicated to the Assumption of Our Lady, the church stands as a tranquil haven amid Noida's rapid urban expansion.
The parish lies on the north-western tip of Agra Diocese, bordering the Delhi Diocese on the west and Meerut Diocese on the north.
The present parish priest is Fr. John Roshan Pereira, and the assistant priest is Fr. Andrew Sachit Kerketta. The parish comprises roughly 900 Catholic families.
History and formation
Milestones along the way
A path of prayer, patience, and parish courage that led from rented rooms to the church that stands in Sector 34 today.
1976
Catholics arrive in a new city
Catholics searching for jobs were living in the industrial city of Noida since its constitution in 1976 by the UP Industrial Development Act. Initially they went to nearby churches in Delhi, especially Mayur Vihar, for attending Mass.
Early 1980s
Saturday Mass in parish homes
On the insistence of Noida Catholics, the priest from Mayur Vihar parish later agreed to celebrate the Mass on Saturday evenings in Noida, as he had to be in his parish on Sundays. Due to the lack of a proper place, it was arranged in the houses of different people.
1984
A pastoral survey begins
Archbishop Cecil de Sa appointed Fr. Johnson Chiryankandath, then parish priest of Bulandshahar, to survey the pastoral needs of Noida. He visited Noida often for that reason.
1985
Shared care with Mayur Vihar
Parishioners approached the newly appointed priest in Mayur Vihar to take Noida into the pastoral care of Mayur Vihar parish. After deliberation between the Archbishops of Delhi and Agra, it was resolved that the people of Noida would be included in the Mayur Vihar Parish until a dedicated priest was appointed by the Agra Diocese.
1986
Noida becomes its own parish
Fr. Johnson was appointed as the parish priest for Noida by Archbishop Cecil de Sa, bringing Noida into the ecclesial jurisdiction of Agra Diocese. From then on, Noida stood as its own parish.
Oct 1986
A first plot, then returned
Fr. Johnson applied for land to build a church. The Noida Authority allotted land in Sector 25, but due to objections from residents of Sector 25, the plot was returned.
1987-88
Maria Sadan is inaugurated
On the archbishop's advice, Fr. Johnson approached the Noida Authority for a Mass centre. An H.I.G. flat in Sector 27 was obtained in December 1987 and inaugurated as "Maria Sadan" in February 1988. Maria Sadan is still used as a Mass centre by the parish. From 1996, Orthodox Christians living in Noida were permitted to use the Mass centre until their own church was constructed and consecrated.
May 1990
Sector 34 land is secured
The plot in Sector 34, where the church presently stands, was allotted by the authority in exchange for the originally allotted plot in Sector 25, after three years of pursuance by Fr. Johnson and the parishioners.
15 Aug 1991
Foundation stone is laid
The foundation stone for the church was laid on 15 August 1991 by the then Archbishop of Agra Diocese, Rev. Cecil de Sa.
1993
The church is consecrated
Two years after the foundation stone was laid, the structure was consecrated for public worship, and St. Mary's Church Noida opened its doors as a lasting home for the faithful.
Walk with us today
Meet the priests who shepherd this parish now, or plan a visit to St. Mary's Church Noida.