The Origin of this institution was Kallianpur Milagres Club, which was far back as 1913. Today, it has completed 106 years in its existence. In early 20th century, people from Christian Community of Mangalore Diocese, especially from Kallianpur, came to Mumbai in search of jobs to earn their livelihood. They were poor, undereducated and their living condition was so bad that they had to live without a proper roof over their head and some of them even stayed in garages. This compelled them either to take a job as a domestic servant or to go back to their native place. Looking to such living conditions, our forefathers (predecessors) joined hands and planned to have a cheaper and common accommodation for themselves and for the people coming especially from Kallianpur Parish and its periphery, which helped them to take better jobs rather than working as domestic servants.
The credit goes firstly, to three persons, namely, Late Mr. Peter Pereira, Late Mr. Peter D’ Souza and Late Mr. Paul Oliveira who were instrumental in starting this institution. Later on, few other illustrious people of imagination, determined will, with great foresight (vision) and selflessness, promoted this institution. Their sole aim was to provide shelter to poor helpless Catholic people coming from Mangalore to Mumbai to earn their bread and for their family.
Initially, the institution was housed in a small rented house in Bandra called “Kood”. People who desired to live this house, had to become the members of the Kood and had to contribute a small fee (residential charges) and many people started living in this Kood. Subsequelty, because of increase in number of resident members, the Kallianpur Milagres Club under the leadership of Late Mr. Victor Noronha and Late Mr. Francis D, Souza, managed to take a bigger house on rent, namely, the present premises on the 1st floor, at 50, Waroda Road, Bandra.
In the year 1937, on the occasion of Silver Jubilee, the then Manager Late Mr. Victor Noronha and other members took the initiative in founding a society known as Mangalorean Milagres Death Benefit Society with the main object of providing financial help for funeral rites of poor helpless Konkani Speaking Catholics of Mangalore and Goa.
In the year 1957, under the leadership of Late Mr. J. M. D’ Souza and Late Mr. Philip Nerry D’Souza, Kallianpur Milagres Club was registered by the name “The Mangalorean Milagres Society” under the Indian Societies Act 1860, with the main object of providing accommodation to the needy people from Christian Community coming from Mangalore diocese for employment in Mumbai, and many other social objects.
In the year 1958, Late Mr. J. M. D’Souza and Late Mr. Philip Nerry D’Souza were also instrumental in buying a plot of land with a house at 81, Hill Road, Bandra, to have our own property in the heart of Mumbai, where the Society’s present building is standing.
In the year 1981, under the leadership of the then President Mr. Eugine Coutinho and Gen. Sec. Mr. Anthony Sequeira, the Society, managed to redevelop the said property at 81, Hill Road, Bandra, by demolishing the old structure and constructing a new building thereon, consisting of part basement, ground + 1st floor, to accommodate more members.
Recently, i.e., in the year 2009, under the leadership of Mr. Stany D’ Souza the present President and Mr. Charles P. Pereira, the present Hon. Gen. Secretary, the Society has renovated and extended its existing building at 81, Hill Road, Bandra, by adding 2 more floors, thereby making the building part basement, ground + 3 floors, by utilizing the entire available FSI, which would help the Society to accommodate more members and carry on its other social objects.
Last but not least, we are proud to state that very recently, the Society has decided to extend its social and noble activities in Mangalore Diocese by proposing to construct a Home for the Aged in Udupi, District in Mangalore Diocese and the initial survey for acquiring land has been already done and the negotiations are in progress. We are hopeful that we will be successful in our mission with your prayer and the blessings of Almighty and through the intercession of our patroness, Our Lady of Milagres.
We are thankful to the Managing Committee present and past, and also the members of the Society who have always rendered and are ready to render their profound, laudable and selfless services in achieving this goal. We also thank each and every one of you and once again seek the blessings of Almighty through your prayer to be successful in achieving our goal. Let us also pray for the souls of all the departed members, may their souls rest in eternal peace.