In the year 1960, the Brothers of Saint Gabriel were called by Rt. Rev. Msgr. James Mendonsa the then Bishop of Tiruchirappalli to run an Elementary School, which had already existed in the village of Manjampatty, administered by the Diocese.

Bro. John of the Cross, the then Provincial Superior of India, with his thirst for activities and excellence in administration, sent Bro. Montfort of the Cross to Manjampatty to establish a new House. Bro. Montfort of the Cross took charge of St. Antony’s Elementary School from Fr. Antony, Parish Priest of Manaparai.

Most Rev. Dr. P. Justin Diraviam, D.D., D.C.L., J.U.D, Archbishop of Madurai, thought of starting an orphanage and Technical School at Manaparai. St. John’s Boys’ Town was started on 9th June 1961 under the Management of the Brothers of St, Gabriel, taking over the Management of St. Antony’s Elementary School where the orphans could study. Ten acres of land near the Trunk Road between Manjampatty and Theerampatti was purchased and two buildings – the Brothers’ House and St. John’s Orphanage were constructed.

In the year 1961, forty-eight boys from various parishes of Tiruchirappalli diocese were admitted to St. John's Boys' Town Orphanage without any discrimination of religion, caste and creed. Most of these boys were destitute children. The others are either delinquents or orphans or children coming from the street sent to the Institution by the social workers and the Parish Priests.

St. Antony’s Elementary School was upgraded to VIII standard in course of time. With Std. VIII qualification the boys leaving the school, could not secure any job for earning their livelihood. So the need for starting an Industrial School was felt and a ‘Carpentry & Cabinet Making’ trade was started in the year 1968. After their middle school education, these boys had a chance of learning Carpentry & Cabinet Making for three years under the provisions of the code of Regulation for Industrial Schools, Govt. of Tamil Nadu, Department of Employment & Training. In June 1968 by the efforts of Bro. Thomas Tolentino, the trade was accorded permanent recognition by the Director of Employment & Training, Government of Tamil Nadu.

The Institution can not forget the tireless effort and interest taken by Bro. Louis Bureau, to get some financial assistance for the starting of the Technical School. The construction work of the Technical School Building was started in February 1966. The Technical School buildings were blessed on 22.08.1968.

As the boys did not have inclination to learn Carpentry, in August 1970, Mechanic (Motor Vehicle) trade was started under the state pattern scheme as per code of Regulation for the Industrial Schools. It was recognized by the State Government. This trade was more attractive but the qualification required was Secondary School Leaving Certificate.

Source: http://www.stjohnsiti.com/history.html