St. Thérèse Church: A description

St. Thérèse Church is situated in the very heart of the Indian community of Salmiya. Its convenient location (opposite The Indian (Junior) Community School), besides the prayerful fervour of the community, is what draws hundreds of Catholic faithful from the neighbourhood to this tiny and humble spiritual abode for Holy Mass, parish ministry meetings, catechism classes and social activities of the Church.

The Church which was inaugurated a Chapel IN 1974, was born of a need that arose when residents from India began to converge on Salmiya and its neighbouring localities. The availability of Indian schools in the area was one of the reasons why a number of families settled here. Vast distances from Kuwait City (wherein is situated the Holy Family Cathedral), as well as in-sufficient transport facilities to and from the city might have contributed to a growing need for a place of worship so that the Catholic faithful could perform their weekly religious obligation.

The first Services

The first weekly Holy Mass was celebrated in Salmiya on Tuesday, 3rd November 1959 by Bishop Teofano Ubaldo Stella OCD, at the suggestion of Mr. Archie Menezes, a parishioner, at whose residence the Mass was celebrated. The strength of the faithful at that time was around 40 but it gradually increased to almost 80 especially in the summer months when the service was held on the terrace.

In 1967, new premises were secured and it was used until 1970 when Mr. Menezes managed to acquire a villa with a garage and a courtyard which was later converted into a big hall sufficient to accommodate over 100 parishioners.

A Chapel is "Born"

In 1974, owing to complaints from the neighbours, the landlord requested that the Chapel be shifted to another location and he offered new premises but this was not convenient for the faithful. However, by the grace of God, the present premises were secured in January 1974, and H.L. Bishop Victor San Miguel OCD, agreed to bear the expense of renovating this new place. On Wednesday, 5th February 1974, he performed the opening ceremony of the new (present day) Chapel and dedicated it to the Holy Redeemer.

All through these years, the contribution and participation of the parishioners have been generous and tremendous. Despite the difficulties faced by the Chapel and the parishioners since 1959 until the invasion of Kuwait in 1990, the weekly services were never interrupted for a single week. Even during the invasion, services were held whenever possible.

Interior view of the - Chapel / Fresco / Prayer Room - before the renovations.

Renovation and Extension of the Chapel

With deep gratitude to God and to all who assisted in the restoration, the community was once again able to worship in the Chapel, following the closure of the Chapel premises for almost six months for renovation and extension in 2001.

The "new" extended Chapel with annexe was inaugurated and blessed by H.L. Bishop Francis Micallef on Friday, 8th June, 2001. Since its inception in 1974, the Chapel has undergone major renovation. The remodeling of the existing structure is the culmination of more than twelve months of planning and anticipation, although actual construction had been underway for less than three months. The outstanding features of the Chapel are the remodeled and larger sanctuary and extended main body of the Chapel, made possible through the demolition of the smaller rooms on the right side and redesign of the altar (moved a few feet back), after taking in the new space acquired from the tenants who vacated the premises. The arrangement of the pews ensures that the altar is visible from every side.

Dedication and Canonical Erection of St. Thérèse Parish

On 28th July, 2006, following a Decree by His Lordship Bishop Camillo Ballin, MCCI, Vicar Apostolic of Kuwait, the name of the Holy Redeemer Chapel was changed to "Church of St. Thérèse of the Child Jesus", at the same time formally erecting it into a Parish.

Parish Activities

Today, the Church serves a community of more than a thousand families. From a humble beginning of a weekly service, the Church now has Holy Mass every day of the week. The Intercessory Prayer Service is held on Mondays, Malayalam Prayer Meeting & Mass on Wednesdays, English Prayer Meeting on Thursdays, Legion of Mary (Senior and Junior) on Friday, and on Sunday and Tuesday, choir practices are held. Catechism is taught to around 875 school-going children in two sessions on Friday mornings. The Salmiya Catholic community is ever expanding and we pray that along with it, the Church, too, will get to be more spacious where all its faithful can come and be with the Lord.