This is comparatively a new parish in the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, Around the 1980s many families began to settle in and around Chinmaya Nagar, an area on the western outskirts of Chennai city. This growth was partly natural as it was adjacent to the city and partly due to the shifting of the huge “Kotwal Chavadi” flower and vegetable market from Broadway to Koyambedu. Naturally, many Catholic families too began to settle in the newly developing Chinmaya Nagar area, which came under the St. Mathias' parish at Ashok Nagar.
In March 1983, at the initiative of some lay people like Mr. G. Sebastian, Mr.Arumainathan, Mr.A.M.M. Xavier, and Mr. D. Aloysius Cruz, the Chinmaya Nagar Catholic Welfare Association (CCWA) was formed. This Association arranged for Holy Masses by priests from Ashok Nagar on the rooftops of private houses at AVM Avenue (Susai Raj's house) for some time, then in Palaniappa Nagar and then in Marthoma School and later at Postal Audit Colony (T.A.R.E. Fernando's house).
In 1984 a plot of 12,800 sq. ft. on Vinayagam Road close to the Kaliamman Kovil Salai was bought by the Archdiocese and a thatched shed was built there. The first Holy Mass in that shed was the Christmas Mass of 1984, celebrated by priests from Ashok Nagar. Regular Sunday Masses were continued there.
In 1985, it was decided to have Infant Jesus as the patron of the church and the parish. Mr. I. Louis was appointed as the first Catechist of the parish and was also authorized to collect subscriptions and donations from the parishioners. In June 1987, the CCWA handed over all responsibilities to the priests at Ashok Nagar. On 19 Feb. 1989, the Archdiocese declared Chinmaya Nagar as an independent parish and appointed Fr. Cyriac Illimoottil as its first parish priest. The priests' residence was built at the Vinayagam Road plot with financial support from the Sacred Heart Shrine, Egmore, and was blessed and opened by Archbishop Casimir in December 1990. The first Parish Council was formed at this time with Mr.A.M.M. Xavier as the Vice President and Mr.S.Arumainathan as the Secretary.
In June 1991, Fr. G.M. Joseph took charge as the second Parish Priest and in September of the same year, the foundation stone was laid for the Church construction. In August 1992, the basement was completed and was blessed by Rev. Fr. Philip Manathara, and Holy Masses were offered thereby. Fr.G.M. Joseph took great efforts and constructed the church. It was blessed and inaugurated by Archbishop Aruldas James in January 1996. Devotion to the Infant Jesus and proper Novena prayers on Thursdays began at this time. The second Parish Council was elected at this time with Mr.Aloysius Cruz as the Vice President and Mr. S. Eugene as the Secretary.
In June 1996, Fr.M. Louis took charge of the parish and worked there for seven long years. In 1999 some land to the west of the church was purchased and the Infant Jesus Primary School was built through donations from Mr. Salim, Mr.Antony Vijay, the cine actor, and other parishioners. During the tenure of Fr. M. Louis, a grotto of our Lady of Velankanni and an open-air stage were built. Anbiyams were started at this time and monthly Charismatic conventions were held. The long-desired Sunday Liturgy in English was started. In August 2002, the Sacerdotal Golden Jubilee of Fr. M. Louis was celebrated grandly by the parishioners.
In June 2003, Fr. Francis Michael took charge as the fourth parish priest. He made many improvements in the Novena Devotion to the Infant Jesus and made the Tamil choir more vibrant. During his period, the Blessed Sacrament chapel was built through a donation from Mr. Bashyam Irudayaraj and Mrs. Martha's family on the occasion of the Fourth Centenary celebration of the Archdiocese of Madras¬Mylapore. It was blessed by Archbishop Chinnappa in October 2006. Mr. Salim of Salim Builders built an open-air stage in front of the church in memory of his friend Mr.Aloysius, who was vice president of the parish council.
The grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes was built through a donation from Mr. Francis Ramadoss and Mrs. Aruna in remembrance of their son Jude Pradeep and it was blessed by Bishop Lawrence Pius in December 2007. Ramadoss and their family also donated Rs. 10 lakhs which is kept as a Fixed Deposit, interest from which is used for annual scholarships for poor students of the parish. Mr. Neethipathi's family had also given annual prize scholarships to the parish students scoring high marks in the high school public exams.
In June 2007 Fr. Belavendiram took charge of the parish and worked here for the next five years. During his tenure, he brought vibrancy to the Basic Christian Communities (Anbiyams). May Devotion to the Blessed Mother Mary and Annual Lenten Retreats start in his time.
Fr. Gerard Majella took up the parish in 2012 and ministered here for five years. He renovated the church thoroughly, and the Church Altar was redone for the Silver Jubilee year in 2014 and blessed and opened by Most Rev.Fr.Dr.George Antonysamy Archbishop of Madras -Mylapore. Fr. Gerad not only renewed the church but also the spiritual life of the parishioners. His charismatic preaching and healing services attracted people from within and outside the parish. He transformed the Church Choir to a great concentration and took charge as choir maestro and brought up the congregation to actively participate in charismatic worship. His second Saturday fasting prayer service was a very big blessing for the parishioners.
During his tenure, he brought vibrancy to the Sunday Catechism classes with the first Sunday of the month with Children's Mass and the rest of the Sundays only with catechism classes for children from standard LKG to 12th. Yearly a one-day tour for the Sunday Catechism children was arranged and every summer vacation “Vacation Bible School” was conducted for a week and ends up with a grand cultural program that made a big vibe with the children and the parents. He also renovated the church basement hall and reopened it as Immaculate Hall blessed and inaugurated by Most Rev.Fr.Dr.George Antonysamy Archbishop of Madras – Mylapore, for the sole use of the parishioners.
The Crucifix Grotto and a Church Flag hoisting mast was been built and opened. These constructions was been sponsored by Mr.Xavier Alphone's family in remembrance of their elders. The Society Of Saint Vincent de Paul was reorganized and started monthly once cash collection from the parishioners and they started to fund the economically downward family within the parish community was a blessing in his tenure.
In June 2017 Fr. P.B. Martin took charge of the parish and he attained eternal life in Nov 2011. Rev. Fr. Dr. A. L. Anthony Sebastian took charge of the parish on the leftover tenure.
Fr. P.B. Martine added more vibrancy to the Sunday Catechism classes with all Sundays starting with Childerence Mass followed by Catechism classes, he renovated the basement of the School building and reopened it as Infanta Hall blessed and inaugurated by Most Rev.Fr.Dr.George Antonysamy Archbishop of Madras – Mylapore, mainly for Children Mass with his sponsor. He also constructed a grotto for Saint Vincent de Paul & Saint Mother Teresa and dedicated the dump box collection in this grotto to the Society Of Saint Vincent de Paul. The Church Bell tower with the Infant Jesus statue was also renovated during his tenure. The School Building was renovated as well two shops were been constructed behind the Church Stage and earmarked to parishioners on rent, and the income was been added to the parish educational funds.
During the Corona COVID-19 pandemic season, his contribution to the needy people was enormous and took care of the economically downward family in the parish. He started offering Sunday mass online via. Youtube and kept the parishioner in faith by delivering the motivational sermon, he also conducted Sunday Catechism classes online and kept the children also in faith during the pandemic season.
Fr.F.J.X.Eucharist has taken charge of the parish since Jun 2022.