FATHIMAGIRI CONVENT, NILAMBUR – 1971

Mr. Cherunni, the father of Sr. M. Theodolinda A.C., and a couple of parishioners of the Little Flower Church approached the Pro-Provincial and team requesting to buy available land to begin a convent and school in the land of ‘Rajas of Nilambur’ to create a Christian atmosphere and Catholic culture. The Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales intended to shift the Philosophy students from Nilambur to Bangalore and prepared to sell their fully equipped establishment, with 10 acres of land on reasonable terms. The Apostolic Carmel purchased this land and building, and the sisters replaced the Missionaries of St. Francis de Sales at Fatimagiri on 26th April 1971. The good fathers left behind the entire furniture and chapel requisites, the entire electrical fittings, the well pump, and sanitary fittings. The people of Nilambur wanted the sisters to open a school at all costs. Responding to the plea of the people, the sisters started a school for the people of Chandakkunnu, Nilambur, Malappuram District, on June 1st, 1971. The school remained a primary school for 27 years. The foundation stone for the convent was laid in April 1999, and the sisters moved into their new convent in March 2000.

After the school got affiliation from the CBSE board, the KG classes were separated from the high school. In 2000, the boarding house was also closed due to lack of space. The school was upgraded to Senior Secondary in 2011. A new nursery building was inaugurated on 28th April 2017, and the KG section was shifted to the newly constructed nursery building on June 1st, 2017. Mother Carmelita, the Superior General, during her visitation in 1973, encouraged the sisters to begin a health center. On 20th December 1975, the Panchayat president laid the foundation stone of the Health Centre, which was inaugurated on 8th September 1976.

In 2000, Sr. Dr. Agnesita MBBS, M.D., took charge of the dispensary. She was instrumental in opening the Mother Veronica Special School for the mentally challenged in a rented building at Chungathara in April 2001. Sr. Marinie A.C. took charge of the Fatimagiri Social Service Centre (FSSC) in 2010. The post-2010 period was characterized by remarkable projects like VDP and RDP and Revolving Fund by KKS, Habitat Housing Programmes, income-generating programmes, and women empowerment through SHGs for Tribals and Dalits in Nilambur, as well as village development and rural development programmes. The school was upgraded to Senior Secondary in 2011, and the foundation stone for the nursery section was laid on 16.06.2016 by Rev. Fr. Paul Koottala, the Vicar of Little Flower Church. It was inaugurated on 20th April 2017 by Sr. Ancila. The two floors of the new high school block were completed on 24th August 2017. Over the years, the services rendered by the convent, school, health centre, and social service centre have brought about a tangible change in the lifestyle, attitude, and culture of the people.