This parish is among the oldest in the Diocese of Mangalore and has been the seat of the Vicar Vara since 1888. Its roots go back to 1702, when Fr Minguel D’Mello built the first church. During Tipu Sultan’s rule, the soldiers stripped the church of its roof, which was later restored after the Christians returned from captivity. The roof was renewed once again in 1857 and later in 1903. In 1801, Fr Piedad Baretto from Goa served as the parish priest.

The present church was built by Fr Balthazar Aranha and solemnly blessed on 19 January 1943. He served the parish faithfully for 42 years (1902–1944), during which he also played a key role in establishing the parishes of Bellore and Loreto. Fr Aranha further erected a 40-foot Cross near the church.

His successor, Fr Albert V. D’Souza (1944–1954), who later became the Archbishop of Calcutta, built the altar and presbytery. Fr Edwin Castelino contributed by constructing the belfry and installing the bells, while in 1974, Fr Basil A. D’Souza built the chapel at Bambil.

Fr Peter S. Noronha (1995–2003) further expanded the parish’s mission. He constructed the new church at Bambil, blessed on 31 January 1999, which later became a separate parish. He also erected a 50-foot Cross along the Bantwal Bypass Road, and renovated the presbytery by adding spacious rooms and a hall.

Education has always been a vital part of the parish’s service. In 1928, Fr Balthazar Aranha founded the Sacred Heart Higher Primary School at Thodambila, later expanded with a new building by Fr Peter Salvadore Noronha. In 1948, Fr Albert V. D’Souza built the Infant Jesus Higher Primary School, and in 1963, Fr Edwin Castelino started the Deepika Boys’ High School, with a new building constructed by Fr Lawrence Fernandes. In 1997, Fr Peter S. Noronha established the Infant Jesus English Medium Higher Primary School along with its dedicated building.

This parish has also been blessed with leaders who went on to serve the wider Church. Bishops Albert V. D’Souza and Basil S. D’Souza once served here as parish priest and assistant parish priest respectively, before their episcopal ordination. Bishop Emeritus of Mangalore, Most Rev. Aloysius Paul D’Souza, too, served as Parochial Administrator of this parish. Notably, the Archbishop of Bangalore, Most Rev. Ignatius Pinto, hails from this very parish.