Azhagappapuram (Azhagai) is located about five miles to the northwest of Kanyakumari, the Land's End of India.  It falls under Agasteeswaram taluka of Tamil Nadu.  With a white lotus-like St. Antony's church standing imposingly in the middle, Azhagai epitomizes pristine beauty, being surrounded by an enchanting landscape of lush green trees, dense coconut groves, picturesque rice fields and puddles holding bluish pure water.  The gentle breeze blowing across this place has a waft of soothing  fragrance. Nature has endowed Azhagai and its surrounding areas with all its fauna and flora.  
     Azhagai is renowned for faith, righteousness, nationalism, secularism, education, sports, and political & social awareness.   This town has created a string of priests and nuns who renounced frivolous comforts to serve God, the poor and destitute. 
        True to the saint-poet Thiruvalluvar's dictum on peasantry, Azhagai habitats traditional and core profession has been agriculture. Everything else flows from it.
        Consistent with the maxim Traverse across the seas and make your wealth, a good chunk of the population has temporarily migrated to various countries and made fortunes.  This activity is ongoing, and today Azhagai is an economic powerhouse, driven by the cash steadily flowing from those economic migrants.  It is also known as mini-Japan. Liveliness and humility characterize the people living in here.  At this amazing turnaround, we remember with gratitude the pacesetters.
        Far back in time, Mudaliars and Muslims came first and lived in this village.  Hindu Nadars and aborigines Dravidas, few in number, joined them later.   This village was named after Azhagappa Mudaliar, a famous Mudaliar who lived in here early, in recognition of his meritorious services to Azhagai.  The Mudaliars and others did many freelance jobs for their livelihood.  They are known to have run mini-weaving operations. However, apparently due to lack of adequate income to make ends meet, they are believed to have moved away from Azhagai. 
        With hard work, diligence and resourcefulness as their capital, the Nadars, who had settled in Azhagai around three centuries ago after the exit of Mudaliars, lived happily  amid perennial poverty and penury.  Patience and perseverance bore fruit.  With the construction and opening of  the Petchiparai dam in 1910, water started flowing across this plain through Thovalai canal.  This brought about a total transformation of Azhagai and its inhabitants.  Agriculture became the backbone of this area's economy, which brought prosperity and effectively eradicated adversity.  The people started smiling. 
        A Malayananchan from the Hindu Nadar community that moved in here after the Mudaliars era, had become a prominent figure. His eight sons were known as the Eight mavericks.  Famous as he was, Malayananchan embraced Christianity and was baptized by the Vadakankulam parish priest, Paranjyothi Nathar.  Malayananchan was re-christened as Swamiadian.  He started living anew as a devout Christian.
        These events are known to have occurred during the period 1700  1740.     Malayananchan built with his own money a thatch-roofed church, dedicating it to    St. Antony.  As he believed that he was cured of a serious ailment with divine grace, he donated his land surrounding the church.  Our primary school was constructed thereafter on this plot.  The sepulcher of his eldest son still stands intact at the eastern frontier of Azhagai.  As early settlers and drifters from elsewhere started gradually moving into Azhagai, it began taking shape of a bigger village.
        The existing church land was acquired about 158 years ago.  With the zealousness of the then Vadakankulam parish priest, Soosai Gregory Nathar,  and the unstinted cooperation of the people, construction of the church was accomplished in two phases. 
         In those days, the areas falling to the west of the Western Mountain range,  were called Kollam diocese and those located on the eastern side of the mountain, Thiruchi diocese.  Azhagappapuram was under Tiruchi diocese.  During the period 1730 to 1830, our village was with Anakarai parish; and during 1830 to 1910, it was merged with Vadakankulam parish.  The Vadakankulam parish priest used to come over to Azhagai every year in June to grace the St. Antony's festival during the period June 4 to 13.   And only in those ten days could he take care of various affairs of the church and the community.
        Because of  the prolonged absence of the parish priest,  people tended to live as they pleased, not knowing much about the Christian morals and values.  It was then, in February 2, 1851,  Rev. Fr. Martin, conceived of and inaugurated the Kanikai Matha festival.  Thereafter, the Vadakamkulam parish priest started visiting Azhagai twice a year to gracefully and grandly celebrate the two festivals.
        In 1908, Rev. Fr. Gousanal of the Jesuits Order established Holy Communion at the Azhagai church.  In 1910 Azhagappapuram was brought under the jurisdiction of Kootapuli parish. In the same year, on  May 23rd, the then parish priest of Azhagai, Rev. Fr. Pappai, upgraded the Primary school to Middle School.
       In the year 1921, keeping in view the increase in population, Azhagappapuram became an exclusive parish.   Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Raja became the first Parish priest.  Rajakrishnapuram was attached to Azhagappauram parish in 1921.  In the same year, St. George's church at Thirumoolanagar was blessed and that village got merged with Azhagai parish. When Tuticorin diocese was established in the year 1923, Azhagappauram parish was brought under it.
        Wishing to build a small church for St. Therasa,  Rev. Fr. Dharmanathar  (Jan 1926  Dec 1930), started construction work with the fistful of rice he received from the people of Azhagai. Rev. Fr. Thairiyanathar continued with the construction work (July 1931  July 1934). The finishing touches were given by Fr. Mariadhas.  The saint's deity was crowned by the then Vadakankulam senior parish priest, Innasiyar.
       Because of the dismal economic and living conditions as well as lack of awareness of the importance of education, our school had to be  shut down.  However, the never-say-die spirit and the will power of   Rev. Fr. Mariadhas banished the appalling conditions of the  school.  It re-opened soon after.  By then, the lethal epidemic, cholera, started taking a heavy toll of the population of Azhagai.  People were dying like flies.   Fr. Mariadhas swung into action and ensured speedy supply of vital medicines and succor to the affected people, mitigating their suffering.  It is believed that after the inception of  St. Therasa's deity, cholera vanished from the face of Azhagai.
        Rev. Fr. Rosario Correira (May 1937  April 1938) took charge of the parish soon after his ordination.  He administered the parish and the schools efficiently and paved the way for notable progress.
        Rev. Fr. Thirukudumbadhason Thalmaitha (1938  Dec 1939) built the school office building and another block for the school on the northern side of the church.
        Rev. Fr. Boopalarayar was the parish priest during the period June 1939 to May 1940.  He was succeeded Rev. Fr. Joseph Fernando for a brief stint.  Then, during the time May 1943  March 1946, Rev. Fr. Michael was the parish priest. He was also the correspondent of the school discharging his duties effectively.
        In 1944, acknowledging the wishes of the people of Azhagai, the then Bishop of Tuticorin diocese, The Most Rev. Roche, D.D.D.C.L,  founded the convent for nuns and named it  St. Seseeliammal Illam.   
       Rev. Fr. Periyanayagam (April 1946  April 1947), as custodian of the parish and the school, exercised strict control over the day-to-day affairs and ensured a great degree of  efficiency and growth.
       In 1947, Rev.Fr. A.M. Novamani assumed charge of the Azhagappauram parish.  Once in command of the parish, he promised to establish a high school.   Drawing strength and confidence from God, he founded the high school in the year 1948.   At a time when radio broadcasting was a rare medium, Rev. Fr. Novamani  set up a local radio broadcasting by the name R.S. Nadar Vaanoli  This broadcasting service enabled people to listen to news daily and connected them to the outer world.
       When a severe famine struck Azhagai during his stewardship,   Fr. Novamani, with the help of a philanthropist called Pioneer, coupled with the support of  the diocese authorities,  brought into Azhagai  emergency food supplies & other essential items, which were then distributed to the needy.   Close on the heels of the famine, cholera broke out.  Using his influence and service oriented attitude, Fr. Novamani had the district health authorities camp at Azhagai to administer treatments on war footing and distribute vital medicines.  Several disease prevention measures were put in place. Scores of precious lives were saved in the process.
        The successive parish priests, who excelled in making available educational  services, also shone in spiritual duties.  The Holy Heart Nunnery was founded by Fr. Novamani  with the approval of the Most Rev. Fr. Roche.   In the year 1952, Fr. Novamani established the St. Joseph Girls School with ninth and tenth standards only.  People were united and generous, keeping aside multifarious differences,  in implementing the various developmental schemes started by Fr. Novamani. 
         Fr. Novamani was the initiator and achiever of the old block built for the primary school, the four car streets laid with gravel, the establishment of the Government Hospital, the Veterinary Hospital, the Cooperative Bank, the  Cooperative Printing Press, and a  Small Savings Scheme.  The exuberance displayed by Fr. Novamani in achieving objectives formed the basis for service-mindedness among the members of the community.  That tradition continues even today. 
        Maintaining and up-keeping of institutions is as arduous a job as establishing them from scratch.  The good work done by the predecessors were successfully carried on by the successive clerics.  Notable among them were Rev. Fr. Mariamanikam (October 1954-December 1957),                Rev. Fr. J.S. Arasaratnam (Jan 1952  March 1962) and Rev. Fr. D. Gnanaprakasam.  
        In 1964, Rev. Fr. Stanislaus Pandian (Oct 1964 to May 1972) took charge of our parish.  Reposing deep faith in God, he kick-started and completed projects like new buildings for the school and the Pandian Hall.  Also, he was the one who laid the foundation stone for our new church.  In 1968 he facilitated the establishment of primary school in Thirumoolanagar with Government recongnition.  He also built three classrooms for this school. Before and during his tenure there were niggling differences in running the affairs of the parish.  Such differences petered out mainly because of the astute approach adopted by  Fr. Pandian.  He was the one who abolished the practice of collecting taxes from the members of the parish.
        The parish priest in 1972-73 was Rev Fr. M.S. Antony.  He started the Novena service for St. Antony on Tuesdays.  He also wrapped up certain building construction works started by his predecessor  the Pandian Hall and three classrooms at     St. Antony's High School. 
       Rev. Fr. John Xavier Fernando was the next to take charge of the parish (1972-1973).  His contributions were significant.  He sorted out lingering disputes relating to some of the parish land.   He paid special attention to church services.  During his span, the Velankanni church adjacent to the West Bus stand was blessed and declared open.  He also acquired land and completed the construction of Pottalkulam Velankanni Matha church.  Furthermore, he beautified with black stone the podium of St. Antony's church.
         The next parish priest to step in was Rev. Fr. Paul Robinson (1979-82).  He took appropriate care in the worshiping of the Holy Spirit.  He undertook and completed the renovation work of                 St. George's church at Thirumoolanagar. He also added as many as five classrooms to St. Antony's High School, with Government aid.
          Rev. Fr. Julian (1982-86) was the next to adorn the Parish of Azhagai.  He exerted efforts to source and acquire valuable equipments for the school laboratory.  A heavy amount was expended for this purpose. He then built a water tank beside the church well.  The emergence of basketball ground was also the result of the tireless efforts made by    Fr. Julian. He then erected a wall segregating the High School from the public road on the southern side of the bungalow.  He did modifications to the portico of  St. Theresa's church enhancing its appearance.
        The era of Fr. Jebanathan (1986-91) was memorable. He proved to be one of those who had dedicated themselves to the betterment of the parish.  He began by building three more classrooms for the Thrumoolanagar Primary School.  To supplement the income of the village, he built shops and let them out on rent.
         Fr. Jebanathan's services to Azhagappapuram were enormous.  He added five classrooms above Gnanam Hall of the High School.   He also built many exclusive classrooms for the school.  He purchased nine cents of land and clubbed it with the school playground.   He built one room each for the school office and gymnasium.  He moved girls of 6th,7th and 8^th standards to St. Joseph's School and merged those standards with the 9^th & 10^th forms, making it a full-fledged high school.  He built a graceful, brand new car for the church at a price of one lakh rupees.   He also constructed on the northern side of the church the Community Hall for the parish at a cost of five lakh rupees.  To cap it all, he purchased 20 cents of land and added it to the graveyard, easing congestion there.  He then erected a chapel in the cemetery with the financial help provided by the Bombay Azhagai Welfare Association.
        The succeeding Rev. Fr. Antony Robert followed in the footsteps of his illustrious predecessor.  He began his term in the year 1991.  He started off  by completing the pending works of the Girls School five classrooms.  He also provided drinking water supply there.  Thereafter, he built three laboratories above the building located to the west of  St. Antony's School basketball court. These labs have been immensely useful to students learning science subjects.   He managed to buy 14 cents of land and set up a beautiful playground.  This he did with the help of the people of Azhagai.  Substantial amount of money was spent on these projects, which bolstered the school infrastructure.
          His magnum opus, though, was the Peace Committee, co-established by the parish and its members.  He envisioned its formation and functioning.   The Peace Committee has thus far nobly served the people, ensuring peace and harmony.  Gone are the days when for each and every dispute people would go to police stations and courts shelling out enormous amount of money and encountering nasty hassles.  Since its formation, the Peace Committee began settling disputes amicably preempting the necessity to go to law enforcing authorities thereby eliminating the hardships faced by the people.  The Peace committee has contributed to the cause of peace and fearlessness in Azhagai. It is worthy of  replication by any community anywhere.
          During 1996 to 2001, if someone totally transformed Azhagai and elevated it to the level of a town, it was none other than Rev. Fr. Selva George. At the outset,   stressing on spiritualism, he erected a podium each right in front of St. Antony's and   St. Therasa's churches. He also organized illumination of the entire churchyard on Tuesdays & Thursdays.  He formed crews for saying prayers and church decoration purposes.  He built for the high school, Fr. Cruzmarian Golden Jubilee Block.  He also installed daises at St. Antony's High School as well as at St. Joseph's Girls High School for conducting cultural events.  Furthermore, he provided facilities for various sports activities on the premises of the schools.  Modern toilet facilities were added to all the four schools during his time. With the funds allocated by the Government he established a full-fledged library for the high school, laboratory as well as wash cars. Further, he built the George Hall under the   We  are for ourselves scheme.
         Another significant achievement of Fr. Selva George  was the construction of a new building for the primary school at a cost of Rs. 40 lakhs. The old primary school structure was torn down and the new building built in its place.  The compactness and elegance of the new primary school has created more space  and improved the  appearance of the churchyard.  
         Next, he built a beautiful church at Indira Nagar with a community hall upstairs. He also built a church at Valan Nagar. Besides, he laid, with Government assistance, a basketball court in Thirumoolanagar.  He built a pulpit in front of St. George's church and a children's orphanage with the help of the Forest Department.
         Fr. Selva George developed the Cross Mountain, located to the north of Thirumoola Nagar, as a famous pilgrim spot, paving it with well-laid roads and building the  St. Thomas memorial there.  He also opened the shrine of St. Mary up on the hill.  Besides, he acquired acres of land around this pilgrim spot.  Today  devotees from places far and wide throng this locale every day seeking peace and solace.
         Fr. Selva George managed to buy fifty cents of land to expand the existing cemetery.  The expansion decongested the hitherto jam-packed graveyard and  accorded respect and dignity to the dead and buried.   He electrified the main churchyard with the cooperation of Kuwait-living Azhagai people.  For this purpose, he purchased a generator and secured it in a shed that he built. He also constructed a store to keep the church paraphernalia.     St. Terasa's shrine was refurbished during his tenure in its centenary year. He also founded the clinic run by St. Vincent Paul Sabha.  He is credited with the founding of the Parish Bench, which facilitated the active participation of many parishers in its activities.  He was a source of inspiration.  He was totally committed and devoted to his duties.  The dynamism and drive displayed by  Fr. Selva George  will remain etched in our memory.  
        Rev. Fr. Gerald Cruz was in charge of the parish during 2001 to 2003.  Diminutive and sober in appearance,  he had enormous abilities and desire to achieve.  The historic bell tower was built and a brand new bell installed atop during his stewardship.   He bought badly needed chairs, benches and desks for the George Hall of the Boys High School.  Further, he erected boundary wall around the church at Valan Nagar as also the elegant flagstaff in front of the church.   Flagstaff was also fixed in the frontage of Indira Nagar church during his period. 
         The people of Azhagai remember with gratitude the selfless and commendable services rendered to the parish by all the erstwhile priests in spiritual and other associated areas.  They served and departed the parish, leaving behind an indelible impression. There is no doubt that the way of life exemplified by them will be emulated by their successors. 
         The above narrative was  presented on the occasion of the Silver Jubilee celebrations of St. Antony's new church in the year 2004.  The recollections are mainly focused on the parish priests, their achievements and legacies.  The complete history of Azhagappapuram, though, is replete with numerous events, occurrences and anecdotes spread over a period of 350 years,  which will be recalled and enumerated at some other opportune time.