St. Thomas, one of the Apostles of Christ, is believed to be the founder of the Christian religion in India in CE 52. After the conversion of Christianity, many churches were built in Kerala. Kerala is the home of world-renowned churches. Kerala has a number of beautiful churches.
Christian Churches developed a culture and a lifestyle, which though distinct, were closely related to the Indian culture. The Church is a place for the gathering of the community for participating in religious services. There are several Christian pilgrimage sites spread across the state and Churches are excellent in architecture.
1. Santacruz Basilica-Kochi
This church is more than 500 years old and is one of the most famous churches in Kerala. One of the eight Basilicas in India and it is located in Fort Kochi. It is well known for spectacular Indo-European and Gothic architecture, historical paintings, murals, and frescos.
Location: Bastian St, Fort Nagar, Fort Kochi, Kochi.
Timings: Monday-Saturday: 6 am, 7 am and 6 pm
Sunday: 5:30 am, 6:45 am, 8 Am, 9:30 am and 5:30 pm.
Special wedding masses at 3:30 pm on Saturday and 10-11 am on Sunday.
2. St. George Forane Church – Edappally
It is the oldest Roman Catholic Church in Kerala. The church is also known as Edappally Palli Church. This church is an ancient church built by St.Thomas the apostle who came to India to preach Gospel. Inside the church is the beautiful statue of St. George, riding a horse, spearing a dragon. Also, there is a Virgin Mary’s mural inside the church. One can see Virgin Mary, baby Jesus with angels surrounding them.
The church is also famous for well-containing water with magical powers and has cured many of the incurable diseases. People believe that if they keep the soil from the church compound at the home, it will be protected from snakes. Mother Theresa visited this church in 1994 in connection with the 14th centenary celebration. Events- Catholics observe the feast of St. George on 23rd April.
On May 1st, the statue of St.George, bedecked with golden ornaments given as offering by the devotees, is taken out in a solemn procession.
Location: Edappally, Kochi
Mass timings: Monday through Saturday:
Holy Mass at 6.00am, 7.00am and 6.00pm
Sundays: Holy Mass at 5.45am, 7.00am, 8.45am, 10.15am, 4.30pm, 5.30pm, 7.30pm
First Fridays: Holy Mass at 5.45am, 7.00am, 9.00am, 10.30am, 12.00pm (Latin rite mass), 3.30pm, 5.00pm, 7.30pm
3. Lourdes Forane Church-Trivandrum
It is one of the famous churches in Trivandrum. Lourdes Forane is bestowed with overwhelming serenity and elegance. The interior woodwork, framed alter, arches and paintings reflect the glories of the past and enhance the charming quotient of the church. People come here to seek blessings and spend their quality time in peace and serenity.
Location: PMG, Thiruvananthapuram.
Timings: Weekdays; 5:45 am, 6:30 am and 5 pm.
Sunday: 5:30 am, 7:15 am, 9 am, 11 am and 5 pm.
4. Arthunkal Church – Alappuzha
churches in Kerala
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It is located in Alappuzha. Arthunkal Church is an important Christian pilgrim center. Built by Portuguese missionaries in the 16th century, this church boasts of the biggest Shrine of St Sebastian in the world, hence locally known as St. Sebastian Church.
Crowned as a basilica in 2010, this Arthunkal church attracts numerous Christians and non-Christian devotees throughout the year, particularly during the Arthunkal feast, organized annually in mid-January. The fishermen in the nearby areas worship St. Sebastian, fondly known as Arthunkal Punyavaalan before they go out to the sea. It is situated on the seashore and it is an important family picnic center.
Event: Arthunkal Perunnal, the annual feast of the patron saint St Sebastian, is celebrated in mid-January.
Location: Arthunkal, Cherthala.
Timings: Monday-Saturday: 5:30 am, 7 am and 4 pm.
Sunday: 5:30 am, 7 am, 9 am and 5 pm.
5 St. Alphonsa’s Church Bharanganam-Kottayam
St. Alphonsa’s Church is one of the beautiful Kerala Christian church, situated in Bharananganam in Kottayam district. The church was established after the canonization of St. Alphonsa- the first saint of India, who was a pious nun. The mortal remains of the saint were buried here in 1946 and the tomb is now considered as an important pilgrim site to people coming from different parts of Kerala. With the glass portrait of the saint, placed inside the church and the beautiful garden fountain, this is surely one of the most famous churches in Kerala.
Event: St. Alphonsa’s feast is a very famous event here, organized in July.
Location: Bharananganam, Kottayam, Kerala.
Timings: Monday-Saturday: 5:30 am, 6:30 am, 8:30 am, 11 am and 5 pm
Sunday: 7:30 am, 9 am, 10:50 am, 12 noon and 2:45 pm.
6. Catholic Rosary church-Thalassery
Catholic Rosary Church is another delight of the state. Its colonial architecture, stained glasses, frescos, and the wide façade are highly admirable. The church is located near Thalassery fort and beach. This is one of the oldest churches, as it was constructed in the 16th century. The architecture of this church simply reflects the British influence.
Location: Opp to St.Joseph HSS, Thalassery.
7. Basilica Of Our Lady Of Dolours Church, Thrissur
This is considered to be one of the oldest churches in Kerala as well as India. The Gothic building of the church is brilliantly constructed with white marble, featuring a Bible tower. The building is considered to be the tallest in Asia. The church is dedicatedly visited by devotees for calmness and peace even though it is located amidst the bustling Thrissur.
Location: Erinjery Angady, Pallikkulam, Thrissur.
Mass Timings: 6.00 am, 7.30 am, 5.30 pm (Monday to Thursday and Saturday);
6.00 am, 7.30 am, 10.00 am, 5.30 pm (Fridays);
6.00 am, 7.30 am, 9.30 am, 4.45 pm, 6.00 pm, 7:30 pm (Sundays)
8. Edathua Church, Alappuzha
People visit this church for mental healing. On the occasion of Christmas every year, this church is visited by a huge number of devotees who come here to seek blessings of St. George. The locals strongly believe that whatever you pray for here gets answered. This is amongst those Kerala churches that are well known even amongst the non-Christians.
Location: Church Road, Edathua, Kuttanad Taluk.
Timings: 4:00 am to 8:00 pm
10 Vallarpadam Church-Kochi
‘Basilica of Our Lady Ransom’ is one of the beautiful churches in Kerala zealing Mother Mary. This church bestows many renowned titles as “The special church” by Pope Leo XIII, “The divine and holy church” by The Government of India. The church derived its name by a special name of the mother Mary- “Vallarpadathamma”.
Location: Ernakulam
Mass Timings: Monday – Friday – 6.30 am, 5.30 pm.
Saturday – 6.30 am, 10.30 am, 4.00 pm, 6.00 pm.
Sunday – 7.00 am, 9.30 am, 4.00 pm, 5.30 pm;
11 St. Thomas Church Malayattoor – Ernakulam
The St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in Malayattoor is one of the most famous pilgrim centers for Christians in Kerala. The name Malayattoor, means the amalgamation of the mountain (mala), river (aattu) and place (ooru). The church attained great fame when the apostle of Jesus Christ, St. Thomas came here to start his missionary work. It is said that a pilgrimage to this mountain is considered one of the holiest journey in Kerala.
According to legends, when St. Thomas arrived here to preach the teachings of Jesus Christ, he received a hostile reception. He fled to the top of a mountain at Malayattoor known as Kurisumudi and prayed to the Lord and he made a sign of the cross on the rock. He was in great anguish, and the Mother of the Lord appeared before him and consoled him. Malayattoor Church was built atop this mountain.
Malayatoor Church attracts a large number of devotees from all over the world. Pilgrims going up the hill to call out incessantly “Ponnum Kurishu Muthappo, Ponmala Kayattom“, meaning “” O Patriarch of the Golden Cross! Climb we shall, this golden hill!””
Event: The chief festival is on the first Sunday after Easter.
Location: Angamaly in Ernakulam.
11. Kadamattom Church
Kadamattom Church is an ancient Indian Orthodox church located in Kadamattom near Kolenchery, Muvattupuzha. The church was built in the Indo-Persian style and was discovered in the 9th century. The famous Kadamattathu Kathanar, a priest with mystical powers and unnatural capabilities lived here, according to legends, and was closely related to the church.
Event: Kadamattom Feast observed during the January – February period to mark the death anniversary of Kadamattathu Kathanar.
Location: Kolencherry in Ernakulam.
Mass Timings: Saturday – Evening Prayer – 6:00 pm
Sunday – Holy Qurbono (1st) – 7:00 am
Holy Qurbono (2st) – 8:30 am
12.Manarcad Church
The old Manarcad church was built in the 16th century. It is a destination for people on annual pilgrimages for the 8 Day Lent of the Virgin Mary. St. Mary’s Church in Manarcad attracts people throughout the year but especially during its famous Ettunompu (8-day fasting). It is one of the most ancient places of worship in the state. The highlight of the festival is a spirited procession carrying the sacred golden cross, known as the “Rassa”, which is taken out on the final three days of the feast. The devotees participate in the procession holding muthukkuda (decorated parasols). Locally known as Ettunoyambu (Ettu in local language Malayalam means eight and Noyambu means fasting) or Eight Day Lent the feast sees a huge influx of devotees from near and far arriving to pay their obeisance and observe fasting.
The stone cross situated right in front of the church is as old as the church. Lighting candles around this stone cross has been an important offering in this church.
Events: Historic procession Razza on September 6.Pachoru Nercha.
Location: Kottayam
13 Vettukadu Palli –
Mother of God Church, Vettukad, Trivandrum
Vettukad Church is also known as the Madre De Deus Church meaning Mother of God and is especially renowned among the pilgrims and tourists for the Feast of Christ the King celebration. The annual festival, Vettukad Perunal, celebrated in this church attracts thousands of devotees from far and near. It is traditionally believed that the famous missionary, St. Francis Xavier, visited Vettukad somewhere in between 1543 and 1547 to evangelize the faithful of this region.
Event: The ‘Feast of Christ the King ‘ celebration lasts for 10 days, on the final day of which the grand feast takes place. It is celebrated on the last Sunday of the liturgical year corresponding to the 3rd Sunday of November every year.
Location: Trivandrum
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