Originally served from Ullal, Bela was officially established as an independent parish in 1880 under its first parish priest, Fr. Pascal Mascarenhas. The original church stood in the remote locality of Kudrepady before his successor, Fr. J.J. D’Souza, secured a scenic, elevated site and built a new church, blessed by Bishop Pagani on January 10, 1892.

Over the decades, successive pastors expanded and maintained the property, culminating in a comprehensive rebuilding in 2001 that allowed the church to accommodate 1,000 faithful.

A unique spiritual feature of Bela is the 300-meter devotional tunnel excavated under the guidance of Fr. Basil Vas. Housing a holy sepulchre, a depiction of the Risen Christ, and an ancient perennial spring, it serves as a serene sanctuary for pilgrims.

The parish’s growth has been further enriched by the dedicated service of the Sisters of Charity (since 1932) and the Dominican Sisters. Today, Bela thrives as a vibrant center of faith and education, transformed by St. Mary’s Secondary School—renowned for its continuous 100% pass rate—and St. Mary’s College of Commerce and Administration.