Jeolikote, in Nainital District of Uttarakhand State, is one of the beautiful spots in the Kumaon hills. The land for the mission here was donated by an English Engineer in 1895. The then Bishop Francis Pesci, a Franciscan Bishop of the R. C. Diocese of Allahabad sent a priest and a religious Capuchin brother to Jeolikote to open a new Mission. The then St. Joseph's Villa was the first residential building that was built in 1897. When Uttar Pradesh, U.P., was affected by famine, 75 orphan children were brought to Jeolikote Mission. To house these orphans, a new building was constructed, which is now known as St. Anthony's Orphanage. Later, with due permission of the then Bishop Angelo Poli, a small Convent and a Primary School were built in 1935. The School then as an Anglo-Vernacular middle School was recognized by the Education Department of the Government. As years passed by, the need for a new building was keenly felt and in 1958, the imposing structure, named as St. Anthony's School was constructed and the same was also recognised by the Government of Uttar Pradesh..
Jeolikote is popularly known as the gate way to Nainital, presently is one of the Tourist Centre of Uttarakhand against the backdrop of Kumaon hills, offering also a beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayan range. The Diocesan Pastoral Centre (DPC) in Jeolikote is situated on a hill which is an idyllic place for prayer, meditation and self realisation, bringing a devotee closer to God and to His beautiful creation. Jeolikote is also called the garden of flowers, which also attracts visitors from around Uttar Pradesh and other places of our beloved country, India. Here they also come and stay for a few days for their prayer, meditation, week-long retreats renewing and energising themselves, physically, mentally and spiritually.
Presently the local Ordinary of the Catholic Diocese of Bareilly, Most Rev. Ignatius D'Souza is taking keen interest in St. Anthon's Parish, Jeolikote under which exists also the age old the Diocesan Pastoral Centre (DPC), Jeolikote. The dilapidated building of the Diocesan Pastoral Centre (DPC) was recently renovated and solemnly blessed on 10th October 2021 and named it as “Late Bishop Angelo Poli Block”, the Patron of this building being St. Joseph with the renovated Chapel, Prayer Hall with “Ite Ad Joseph – Go to Joseph”.
Presently the Diocesan Pastoral Centre (DPC), Jeolikote provides accommodation for about 40 persons, having self contained single rooms, dormitories in “Bethania”, “Bethel” which is the double storied Parish House which is also called the “Mission” and “late Bishop Angelo Poli Block”, with a kitchen and a large dining hall and as mentioned above, the St. Joseph's Prayer Hall, having also a large, broad, well ventilated and well closed veranda..
Above the Diocesan Pastoral Centre (DPC), Jeolikote, there also exists a 300 metres high “Way of the Cross” on the Hill with 14 Stations and on the top of the Hill, Calvary, having enough place for about 500 pilgrims to sit, offer prayers or even offer the Holy Eucharist. The almost 20 year old path of the Way of the Cross is presently renovated and the devotees, pilgrims and retreatants coming to Diocesan Pastoral Centre (DPC) are welcome to have daily a Way of the Cross – devotion. During the annual Lenten season, the Catholic Diocese of Bareilly invites the parishioners from every parish with the Laity, Sisters, Fathers for the Way of the Cross Therefore, the Diocesan Pastoral Centre (DPC), Jeolikote warmly welcomes you and looks forward to your visit to this Centre, spending your valuable time as a devotee, pilgrim or a simple visitor.
