70-Year-Old Christ The King Church Demolished in Kayyar; Conservation Group Alleges Haste

70-Year-Old Christ The King Church Demolished in Kayyar; Conservation Group Alleges Haste

Mangalore Today News Network

Mangaluru, Feb 22, 2026: A controversy has erupted in Kayyar following the demolition of the 70-year-old Christ The King Church building under the Diocese of Mangalore, with a conservation group alleging that the structure was razed overnight despite appeals to preserve it.

The Kayyar Church Conservation Committee stated that the church, built in 1953 and inaugurated on April 25, 1956, under Rev Fr Lawrence S Pais, was a Roman-Gothic landmark and a significant cultural and religious symbol for the village and surrounding areas. The committee claimed that structural feasibility inputs, including a report from NITK Surathkal stating the building was in good condition, were ignored prior to demolition.

Wilson JP D’Souza, a parishioner and member of the committee, told reporters on Saturday that the group had met Bishop Peter Paul Saldanha on November 28. As directed, 11 members submitted written undertakings accepting financial and physical responsibility for maintaining the old church, he said. He alleged that both the NITK structural stability report and an independent conservation architect’s assessment were not considered.

The committee further alleged that the demolition was carried out in haste, even as construction of a new church at a different site remains less than 50% complete, forcing services to be held in a mini hall. It claimed the old structure did not obstruct the new construction and could have been preserved as a memorial. Alleging that heavy machinery was used at night, the group demanded an explanation and warned of protests if their concerns were not addressed.

Responding to the allegations, the Christ The King Church parish council defended the move, stating that the building was dilapidated and demolished after obtaining necessary clearances. The council said the Paivalike panchayat issued a demolition certificate on November 21, 2025, and the diocese granted approval on February 12.

It added that the church tower had remained unrepaired for nearly a decade and that the cross, damaged by lightning, could not be safely relocated. According to the council, a 2023 survey indicated strong support for rebuilding, and the demolition was approved by parish committees and a general assembly of 552 members.