In the year of the Silver Jubilee of the arrival of Catholic faith (1963-1988), Purul was declared a full-fledged parish under the patronage of the Holy Rosary. The Parish was formally established with the arrival of the MSFS on January 6, 1988 with Frs Kurian Ovelil, the Parish Priest and Varghese Chettupuzhakaren as assistant. Initially, they resided in a temporary shed that was donated by the people. All the villages were visited on foot. The villages were Oinam, Thingbakhunou and Thingbakhullen, Upper Koide and Lower Koide. A catholic community was established in Laila village, that was inhabited by the migrated people of Oinam village. Purul is situated about 23 km away from Maram Bazar, which is on the National Highway between Kohima and Imphal. Transport and communication, especially during the rainy season, has been very difficult, although situations have improved in the recent times. The inhabitants of the area belong to Poumai tribe. Prior to the establishment of this parish, Purul was under the parish of Mao, looked after by the Salesians of Don Bosco.

Of the 13 villages under Lepaona area, 9 have Catholic population. There are 3917 Catholics from 795 families in 9 villages who are shepherded by nine local catechists and one touring catechist. The villages of the parish are Oinam, Thingbakhunou and Thingbakhullen, Upper Koide and Lower Koide, Purul- Atongba, Purul-Akutpa, Biisho, Lailah.

Purul has given birth to ten priests (8 MSFS) and 51 nuns to the Church so far. The MSFS priests are FrsThaikho Simon, Dio D. Jacob, Hepuni John, Panii Paul, Th Jacob, D. R. Paul, Benjamin NgadeNakho and Huwn Francis Reyland.

Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC)

The FCC sisters joined the MSFS at Purul on February 16, 1990, with Srs Carmela (Superior & Headmistress), Tessy George (Nurse), Jemini, and Ans Tom as pioneer members. The sisters engage in the ministries of Education, care of the sick, religious instruction and social work.