Fr Rosario D. Sequeira bought 3.38 acres of land and constructed a chapel which was blessed by Bishop Valerian D’Souza on May 23, 1928. He built the presbytery, which was inaugurated on May 31, 1931, and the belfry, inaugurated on January 9, 1921.

The parish was carved out of Kokkada. Fr Rosario D. Sequiera was the first parish priest. Parts of Madanthyar and Puttur were added to Uppinangady later. Originally the church was dedicated to St Philomena, but from April 14, 1962 it was re-dedicated to Our Lady, Virgin of the Poor. Fr Jos R. Rodrigues (1937-1961) built a new altar.

Mr Lawrence Braggs donated new belfry to the church. Fr John Noronha (1982-1988) bought 1.69 acres of land and Fr Victor D’Souza (1988-1995) built a grotto.
Fr Gregory D’Souza (1995-2002) constructed the new church building, which was blessed in March 26, 2001. He acquired land for the cemetery.

Fr Rosario D. Sequeira also constructed the new school building which was inaugurated on January 28, 1942, and later an ashram and 7 shops.