Our Heritage

The story of Thomas Rodrigo & Sons begins in the late 19th century, rooted in the quiet coastal village of Manapad in southern India. In the 1870s, Mr. Thomas Rodrigo, seeking better opportunities, travelled to Ceylon (now Sri Lanka). There, he began crafting and supplying liturgical candles to churches and clergy. His workmanship and the purity of his materials soon gained the admiration of priests and administrators, including those at St. Lucia’s Cathedral in Colombo.

By 1880, encouraged by his growing reputation, Mr. Thomas Rodrigo established Thomas Rodrigo & Sons in India. What began as a modest initiative grew steadily as churches across the region began trusting the Rodrigo name for their sacred requirements.

Early Growth (1900–1930)

The company expanded into statues, prayer books, devotional medals, and other religious articles. After the passing of the founder in 1913, his sons continued the business with the same dedication and faith. Even during the economic difficulties caused by World War I, the firm maintained its commitment to quality — importing superior materials, securing beeswax supplies, and continually improving its products.

By the 1930s, the firm began visiting Europe — Germany, France, Belgium, Switzerland — to source devotional articles and strengthen relationships with international manufacturers. This period marked a new level of professionalism and excellence for the company.

Mid-Century Strength (1940–1970)

In 1946, the company was converted into a private limited firm during a time when the demand for devotional goods was rising. Despite the disruptions of World War II, Thomas Rodrigo & Sons maintained its imports and continued supplying churches with liturgical books, statues, chalices, altar accessories, and other sacred items.

The firm became known not just for its products, but for its service — repairing damaged statues, assisting churches with special requirements, and ensuring that every piece matched the highest devotional standards.

Expanding Legacy (1970–2000)

Through the later decades of the 20th century, the brand continued to serve generations of churches, institutions, and families. The company’s reputation for trust and reliability made it a preferred destination for Christmas cribs, manger sets, statues, candles, and framed devotional prints.

In 2008, The New Indian Express featured Thomas Rodrigo & Sons in a special Christmas edition, recognising the company as one of Chennai’s oldest and most consistent suppliers of Christian devotional goods — a landmark moment that highlighted the brand’s role in shaping the devotional market in the city.

A Tradition That Continues Today (2000–2025)

Today, under the guidance of Mr. Joseph Nigil Thomas Rodrigo and Mr. Joseph Antony Leo Paiva, the company remains committed to the same principles that defined its beginnings:
faith, craftsmanship, integrity, and service.

Though times have changed, the core of the business remains untouched — to honour the Christian faith by providing products that inspire prayer, reflection, and devotion. What started in the 1870s in Ceylon continues today in Tamil Nadu, serving churches and families with the same sincerity that has defined the Rodrigo name for over 145 years.