Short History of Parish

The Internuncio Archbishop James Knox, during his visit to our diocese in 1967, advised Bishop De Battista to shift the Bishop’s house to a more suitable place. This stupendous task was realized by Bishop Joseph Tumma. The site was purchased for the purpose at patamata, in the year 1972 in the developing area of Vijayawada City. Patamata was bifurcated from Christurajapuram and promoted to the status of Parish Head quarters on 23^rd Feb 1973. Fr. Louis pozzoli, then in his early sixties was appointed as its first parish priest. As ever generous and obliging, he built the presbytery and the Cathedral with the help of his great benefactor, Don Dante Basilico. The late Bro. Giani Davide, the Diocesan architect, designed and supervised the construction. The Cathedral was dedicated to St.Paul, the apostle on 19 March 1976 by Bishop Joseph Thumma. It was canonically recognized by the congregation for the Evangelization of peoples, 24th March 1976.The Arch Bishop Marampudi Joji was instrumental in beautifying the cathedral campus with station of the cross.

Commemorating the 40^th anniversary, the huge task of renovating the cathedral was taken up by Fr.P.J. Stephen with the support and the generosity of the parish community. The sanctuary was redesigned along with the roofing of the cathedral. On 19^th March 2014 a formal blessing is done, marking the occasion by Most Rev.Govindu Joji, the apostolic administrator and Most Rev.M.D.Prakasham the Bishop of  Nellore. A large number of priests, religious and the laity witnessed a remarkable day in the annals of the history of the parish.