ST FRANCIS ASHRAMBack

St. Francis Friary, the Capuchin foundation in Batala, had its origin in 1970 when Fr. Hyacinth bought two canals of land and started staying in a rented house looking after the spiritual needs of the people. After his transfers Frs. Sumphorian and Joseph Zacharias looked after it from Dhariwal. Later on Fr. Martin constructed a multipurpose hall which was used for the Sunday liturgy and as residence of friars.

In 1980 five acres of land along the Jallandhar road in Batala was bought through the efforts of Brs. Isaac, Martin and Abraham to start an English Medium High School (ICSE). On March 11, 1982 the school was blessed by Bishop Symphorian and inaugurated by the then Provincial Br Raymond Br. Simon Kottoor was the first principal of this school and Br. Isaac the first resident Parish Priest & Manager of the school. St. Francis Friary was built in 1988 by Br. Simon Kottoor. In 1982 a community of Sisters of Charity of Jesus and Mary was established in the school premise to assist in the parish and school. The construction of the friary chapel was started on 30th of April 2000 and was blessed on 13th Sept. 2001. Bros. Mathew Joseph, Joseph Panthiruvelil, Lucas appointed as guardian and manager of the school, principal and assistant parish priest respectively.