Thiruvithamcode Arapally / Royal Church / Thomaiyar Kovil / St. Mary’s Orthodox Church, Thiruvithamcode, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu.

26^th January 2020.

The visit to this Christian Church at Thiruvithamcode in Kanyakumari District was a part of Nanjil Nadu Heritage Walk organized by Yaaooyaakay and Celebrate Kanchi in association with Tamil Nadu Tourism and Development Department, Kanyakumari, scheduled on 24^th to 26^th January 2020. 

This was the 2^nd temple’s visit on the third day after Thiruvithamcode Sree Neelakanda swamy  Temple. This place is being spell in different ways such as Thiruvithancode, Thiruvithankodu, Thiruvithamcode, etc.

THIRUVITHAMCODE ARAPPALLY - Usually the word Aram is used in Jainism and Arapalli is that one,  School which teaches, good habits. Jainism was flourished in Kanyakumari, especially between 3^rd Century to 7^th Century. During that time Jain monks practiced thanams / gifts  like Education, food, oushadham / medicines. Jains calls these are Aram – அறம்.  Since St Thomas also teaches the principles of Jesus, this place / Church might have been called as Arapally.

The Church claims to be the world’s oldest  living churches in India  and believed to be built by St. Thomas, known as the apostle of India in 57 CE ( Actual year is not known ) and the Cross was carved by him. The Church is being called in different names like Thomaiyar Kovil, St. Marry’s Orthodox Church, Amalagiri Church  and Thiruvithamcode Arappally.

It is also believed that this Church was built during  Kerala King Perum Chottu Uthiyan Cheralathan. But there is no evidence to prove the same. The church might have been built in different stages. The entrance arch is built with stone beams and pillars. The beam has the bas-relief of  Cross and two persons in worshiping posture. A small cross is on the top of the arch. A Kerala style stone lamp is erected after the entrance arch. The alter is very simple. The main alter portion was built with granite stones quarried locally. The alter portion and prayer hall  are supported with pillars & pothyal / Capital ( like Hindu Temples ).  The roof is slope on both sides and paved with mangalore tiles. The entrance to the prayer hall from front hall is with stone door jambs and the lintel has the Christian related bas-reliefs. There are two side entrances  near the alter portion. The Church is 45 ft in length, 15 feet wide and 10 feet high.

The Church’s Alter, baptism basin and incense burner are believed to be from Portuguese. On all the three sides new building like, residence, assembly hall, library and office rooms were built.  A stone Cross of about 20 feet tall with a pedestal is erected in front of the Church. Jesus life incidents are carved on the pedestal. In Additions to this there is a tomb on the right side of the Church. The names of past Pastors, Rev. Fr Yacoob, Rev. Fr. Alexander, Rev. Fr. Konattu Yacob, Very Rev. Fr. K V Gheevarghese Ramban, 14-07-1890 - 16-07-1970 are inscribed on a single tomb.

  

 A single grave of the past Pastors 

As per the Historians the original Church was built under the patronage of King of Thiruvithamcode. The same was found dilapidated condition about 80 years back and the same was reconstructed to the present state by the late Rev. Fr. Koottumkal Geevarghese Ramban. It is told that this Church was reconstructed  more than 5 times. This Church is being maintained by Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. On 16^th December 2007, Catholicos of East, Baselios Marthoma Dydimas I, declared as a St. Thomas International Pilgrim Centre.

CONTACT DETAILS.

The land line +91 4651 250 216 may be contacted for further details.

HOW TO REACH:

The Place Thiruvithamcode ie about 2 KM from Thuckalay, 25 KM from Nagercoil, 35 KM from Kanyakumari, 107 KM from Tirunelveli, 260 KM from Madurai and 800 KM from Chennai.

Nearest Railway Station is Nagercoil.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

 A New building 

A Stone bowl

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Sacred Heart Shrine,Idaikattur, Sivaganga District, Tamil Nadu.

10^th May 2019.

This  19^th Century Sacred Heart Church is also in the list of places to be visited during our Idaikattur Visit. This Gothic style architecture Church was built by a French Missionary Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ, who took charge of Idaikattur Church in 1878 CE. He passed away on 29th Dec 1899 CE at the age of 59 and his bones are transferred to this Church on 13th June 1911. CE. The present Church was  built  a replica of Rheims Cathedral of France.  This Church was declared as a tourist spot by the Tamil Nadu Government.

HISTORY AND LEGEND

Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ, wanted to built a new Church to accommodate 1000 people, since the old thatched roof church was very small. To mobilize the required fund he went to his native country, where he met the French Anglican lady Mary Anne. She got cured from her severe heart ailment through prayer of Jesus. As a token of her gratitude to the sacred heart of Jesus, she gave 2000 franks and requested Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ to built a church similar to Rheims Cathedral of France. When the Church was solemnized is not known. The Church was renovated and solemnized on 07th July 2007. The person Arulanandham Pillai who was helpful in constructing this Church was passed away on 29th December 1896 at the age of 76. 

LEGAL BATTLE:

In the process of construction and miscalculation Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ, encroached a land measuring 1500 sqft which was objected by the adjacent land owner.  When Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ, came to know about this, told the adjacent land owner, that a mistake was happened and the structure also cannot be altered at that stage. When Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ told that, he was ready to pay the cost of the land for which the Villagers didn’t agreed. The Villagers filed a suit in Madras High Court against  Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ. The civil case prolonged for about 26 years. 

A Commission was appointed by the Judge to  resolve this problem. The head of the commission got a dream of angles constructing the Church, on the previous day night of visit to this place. When the commission personnel  visited the spot and the head of the Commission was shocked to see the similar Church which he had seen in his dream. The head of Commission convened a meeting with the Villagers.  The 26 years long legal battle came to an end when the villagers had agreed to donate a land of measuring 25 x 150 feet, which was above the encroached area.

SPECIAL FEATURES

Since the Church was said to be built by the angles Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ, erected 153 stucco images of angles, which are brought from France. 4o saints relics in four elliptical shaped wooden bowls   are also installed in the alter.

ARCHITECTURE

Even-though this Church was said to be the replica of Rheims Cathedral of France, it has some additional features.  The Church was built with 200 different types of bricks with lime mortar. The inner  columns / pillars are embedded with Gothic style of arches, which rises  raises up to the vaulted roof. The arches are decorated with rows of beads, flowers, garlands made of terracotta. The hallow bricks are used to reduce the heat. Also there is a vacuum gap between the inner vaulted roof to reduce the sun heat, inside the shrine.

The stained glass has the art work of events happened in Jesus life. The stucco work of Saints, angles, Jesus foster father St. Joseph, mother of sorrows and the Holy family  are the great beauty and best example of French ancient art work.

The Historical event of Kilavan Sethupathi’s son in-law Kattayadevan conversion to Christianity is shown in the form of stained glass art work. The main alter depicts the doctrine of the Christianity  ie, the father, the Son Jesus and the holy spirit are shown clearly.

Special prayers are offered for heart ailments & cancer, to remove obstacles for marriage,  to get success in operation,  to get rid of debt, etc,. Apart from regular prayers special prayers are conducted on Sundays, First Friday and Saturday of every month.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The land line +91 4574 267212 may be contacted for further details.

The e-mail address sacredheartblessings@gmail.com

The website address:   www.shsi.org 

     

HOW TO REACH:

Town bus route nos  99F from Periyar bus stand, 99M from Mattuthavani bus stand  stops at Muthanenthal and from there share autos are available to Idaikattur.  

All the buses to Manamadurai from Madurai stops at Muthanenthal.

Nearest Railway station is Manamadurai.

LOCATION: CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

C.S.I. Brough Memorial Church, Erode, Erode District Tamil Nadu.

05^th April 2019.

This Indo-saracenic  style Church was started in 1927 and completed in 1930 AD. This Church was dedicated by the Bishop Asariya and named after Brough as “Brough Memorial Church”. It was told that the basement is equivalent to the depth of the wall height above the ground level. Only lime mortar instead of cement was used for constructing the Church. Plastering of the walls were done with a mixture of lime and polished using egg.    The required stone and doors and windows are brought from Karur, which is about 60 KM from Erode.  Since Brough’s wife Rosetta Jane died before completion of the Church, she was buried in side the Church Complex.

The word God is one “கடவுள் ஒருவரே” ( யாகுதா ) is written at the entrance of the Church in Tamil and Urdu.  These inscriptions and the Indo- saracenic style architecture adopted for  constructing this Church was to attract the Muslim population of Erode. It is worth to note that there is no cross or statue of Jesus / Mother Mary in the  Alter.  There is also anther inscription tablet, reads as “இயேசு கிறிஸ்து தாமே மூலைகல்”.

BRIEF HISTORY OF “ANTHONY WATSON BROUGH”.

Anthony Watson Brough, an Australian Protestant  born in 1861 CE, joined in London Christian missionary after completing his priest training.  In 1894 CE he was appointed at Coimbatore and transferred  to Erode to take care of Mission activities in 1897 CE. He came along with his wife Rosettajane Brough and his son Herbert Brough.

During his stay  he started 14 schools in Suburban and 80 schools in urban areas around Erode. In which one of the School  was a boarding school with hostel and food facilities.  He also holds a a higher position in Erode Municipality. When an epidemic of Plaque, Malaria and smallpox erupted at Erode, he brought Dr Miken C Rees from Vellore.   After She left Dr Miss Halda Bolard took charge of the medication, in a tent put up in front of Brough’s House.  He is also an instrumental for setting of a Hospital at Erode.

After his son’s death in world War, he started a hospital at Chennimalai and named after him. In 1934CE Brough retired from missionary and returned to Australia and died in 1936 CE. In memory of Brough the Road Between Panneerselvam park to General Hospital is named as Brough Road and  Small Village near Thingalur, Perundurai is also named as Brough Nagar.  ( Now the Brough Road name is in controversial. Tamil Nadu Govt.  wants to change it as Meenakshi Sundaram Road for which about 300 applications were submitted to the District Revenue Officer not to Change the name ).

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

Poondi Madha Basilica, near Thirukattupalli Thanjavur District, Tamil Nadu.

23^rd February 2019.

We had been to Thiruchennampoondi Sri Kadaimudi Mahadevar Temple through this Poondi Madha Basilica, two times and thought of visiting this 18^th century Basilica one day. That day happened on 23^rd February 2019. It was around 19.00 hrs when we visited this Basilica and a mass was about to finish. So we had the chance of visiting inside the Basilica too.

This Basilica as a Church was built ( 1714 to 1718 CE )  by the great Italian missionary Rev. Fr. Contantine Joseph Beschi S.J. was popularly known as “Veeramamunivar”. He came to India, first landed in Goa to preach the teachings of Jesus Christ. Before coming to Poondi he served at 8 places in Tamil Nadu. After mastered in Tamil Language, he changed his name as “Thairiyanathaswamy”, since the name was in Sanskrit he changed to Tamil name as “Veeramamunivar. He had written 23 books, which includes “Thembavani”, the life history of Jesus’s corporeal father Joseph. His work “Paramartha Guru Kadhai”, Tamil Grammar and Dictionary are well appreciated by the scholars. He was called as Father of Tamil prose. Fascinated by the Thirukural, he adopted / quoted many Kurals in his works. Tamilnadu Govt honored him by erecting a life size Statue on Chennai Marina Beach.

The Church was named as “Mary Queen of Immaculate Conception”, when it was constructed. After Veeramamunivar, the church was taken care off by the French Missionary Fathers ( MEP Fathers )  of the Pastoral Mission in Kumbakonam Diocese. In 1900 CE Fr. Mette Louis Jules started a Catechetical School at Poondi to train Catechists. By the divine grace of Madha,  Rev. Fr. Lourdes Xavier rebuilt the dome, which was collapsed due to rain.  From then on wards many miracles happened at the Basilica and to the Devotees. From 1999 CE, the church was declared as a Minor Basilica by Pope John Paul –II.

The specialty of this Church is a small piece of original cross in which Jesus was crucified is kept here. This relic will be taken in a procession  from Micheal Patty to Poondi Madha Basilica.  This Basilica also has one of the rarest Madha statues brought to India from Lourdes City of France is kept under worship.

The present Basilica was constructed in a mixture of Gothic and French architecture. 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, saints like St. Francis Xavier and also one of Fr Constantine Joseph Beschi statues are erected at the portico.

The Complex has a canteen, a depot / a Shop,  which sells the articles related to Christian faith,  A marriage organizing center, a Community hall, a Tonsuring hall, a Museum which contains the gifts offered by the Devotees in terms of Gold, Silver etc., Stay house for the pilgrims, etc.

Annual festival will be celebrated between May 6^th to May 15^th  with flag hoisting. Madha’s birth day will also be celebrated during September every year.  Devotees from various parts of Tamil Nadu used to reach this place by walking all the way from their native places.

MASS TIMINGS:

Mass in Tamil will be held at 6.00 hrs, 11.15 hrs and 17.15 hrs  during week days and in addition to this 09.30 hrs mass will be conducted on First and 3^rd Saturdays. A Mass in English will be held at 12.30 hrs on Sundays.

HOW TO REACH:

Poondi is in Alamelupuram Poondi near Thirukattupalli in Thanjavur District.

Railway stations Budalur is 18 KM, Thanjavur is 35 KM and Trichy is also 35 KM .

Direct buses are available from Chennai, Velankanni, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Kallanai etc,.

CONTACT DETAILS:

The landline number +91 4362 280422 may be contacted for further details.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

St.John's Church, Vellore Fort, Vellore, Vellore District, Tamil nadu.

09^th September 2018.

The present St. John’s Church was built in the year 1846 AD. The process of building this Church has a long story since 1798 CE. The story goes like this..

Vellore had a Chaplain since 1798 CE, to cater East India Company’s European officers. It was felt that a there is need for a Chaplain  to cater for the native converted Christians. In 1773, Fabricius of Vepery built the first Church with the contributed fund ( Fabricius contributed 60 pagodas and Madras Government 10 pagodas, and the rest was contributed by the officers and Soldiers of the Company Regiment )  in side the Fort  to be used for native congregation. The Church was used for Sunday Services and the rest of the days School was functioning. After the second Anglo- Mysore war, the Church was taken by the military to accommodate their personnel and 300 pagodas was given as a purchase price.

In 1792, William Harcourt Torriano, a civil representative of Madras Government and friend of Schwarz  constructed a new Church from his own fund. This was dedicated to Gericke and J P Rottler a missionary  from Tranquebar in 1793 CE, which last for 30 years. After the Sepoy mutiny in 1806 CE, Military station was shifted from Vellore Fort to Arcot and built a large Church there. In 1830 CE, Gospel of Foreign Parts ( authorized by SPG ), which holds the Vellore mission, allotted 200 pounds for construction of New Church in 1835 CE for the use of Europeans and Natives.

In 1837, Rev W Tomes, recommends to refurbish the Torriano’s Church to put in to use for the Europeans at an estimated cost of Rs 510. Due to poor stability, a new proposal was initiated to construct the Church in the Vellore City. This proposal was also shelved due to objections raised by the Military personnel considering the safety reasons. In 1837, the Public Rooms inside the Fort was used for conducting Sunday service and a monthly rental of Rs 35 was paid to the Military officers who owned the Public Rooms ( used for Dance, Drama and entertainments ).

In 1844, construction of a new church was approved within the fort and completed in 1846 CE at a cost of Rs 5559, with an extra rs 500  for the furniture and fittings. Major C G Ottley was paid Rs 500 as a remuneration  for the design and construction. The Church was named as St, john’s Church, which was never consecrated. ( Since once used for dancing, acting and other entertainment ). The Church could accommodate 280 people supported by the columns. The Church measures 50 x 41 ft, the sanctuary in the east 15 x 18 ft and 2 vestries 10 x 8 ft. The Church was refurbished in 1862 CE and 1883 CE. 

From the inscriptions,  the Colours ( Flags ) of the 10^th Madras infantry raised at Vellore as the 14th Native Battalion in 1766, becoming the 10th REC M.N.I in 1824, Converted in to the 1st Burma Rifles in 1890, inscribed Carnatic Mysore 1792, Ambur 1749, ASSAI 1803, AVA 1852, and Burma 1885-87, were deposited in St. John's Church , The Fort Vellore in 1893. Two tablets also erected in side the Church in memory of the trustees Henry Allen Waring ( 1875- 1906 ), Madras Police, Principal Police Training School, by his brother officers. The other one for Denniston Stewart, Agent of the Imperial bank of India, Vellore, by those who knowing him, respected him and loved him  from the voluntary subscriptions received. 

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

St. Peter's Church / புனித பேதுரு பேராலயம் / தேவாலயம், Royapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu,

11^th August 2018.

The name Royappa puram was corrupted to the present name of Royapuram was a part of Black Town, during British rule. St. Peter’s Church has more than two and a half  centuries old history. The history goes, like this...

HISTORY AND INSCRIPTIONS

A group of Gurukula Vamsha Varunakula Mudalira’s 4 clans  via Nallaveran Mudali, Mondi Mudali, Andi Mudali and Acharappan Mudali migrated to Madras from Durgarayapatnam, Armagaon, when the fort was built in the year 1731. They were accommodated at Chepauk in a 45 acres of land. They were engaged in shipping of materials from Ships to shore through boats called Masula. Slowly they were converted to Christians.

Consequent to shifting of Custom’s office and master Attendants office from St. George to this black town in the year 1779 by the east India Company, the Chepauk Mudaliars turned Christians were forced to shift in Royapuram area. Marine board allotted a land of measuring 65 acres, at a distance of 300 yards from Harbour North gate. Payment was also made towards shifting of the houses from Chepauk to the Royapuram area.  The old Chapel built by these boatmen, working for the East India Company are responsible for constructing a Chapel in Royapuram also. The constructions work of the new Church in Gothic style was started in the year 1825 and completed in 1829. The key was handed over to the headmen by the Chief Engineer Balfour. The group splits in two congregations  via. Irish and Goanese. The Goanese built a separate Church called St Antony’s Church and moved away. ( It was told that Mother Teresa used to stay in this Church during her visits to Madras).

The Headmen, who comes through hereditary  are so powerful and holds the power of appointing the priests on suggestion from Diocese. Due to this power conflict the church was locked between 1925 to 1934 without any mass/ prayer. This was resolved through court and the hereditary succession of Headmen system was abolished and Trustees are selected through election.

FESTIVALS AND CELEBRATIONS

Festivals like 8 days festival Christmas from 24^th Dec to 2^nd January, the feast of Royappa on 29^th June, Chithirai, Matha chariot procession between 29^th August to 8^th Sep are celebrated.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

--- OM SHIVAYA NAMA---

St. Stephen Church / தூய ஸ்தேவானின் ஆலயம், ஊட்டி /Ooty / Ootacamund / உதகமண்டலம், Nilgiris District, Tamil Nadu.

03^rd July 2018.

Ooty is called in different names like Udhagamandalam, Udhagai, Ootacamund ( mund means Village ),  was a part of Kongu region. This was once a tribal land occupied by Toda, Kurumba, Irula and Badagas community. During Sangam period 2^nd CE, Cheran Senguttuvan ruled this place. Latter ruled by Hoysala, Satavahanas, Gangas, Kadambas, Rashtrakutas, Chozhas, Vijayanagaras, Wodeyars.  After the defeat of Tippu Sultan in 1799,  Ooty came under the possession of British East India Company. John Sullivan, then the Collector of Coimbatore under Madras Presidency  was the first person ventured to Nilgiris and built a bungalow in 1819 at Dimbhatti near Kotagiri. Road was formed  in 1823 up to Kotagiri from Sirumugai near Mettupalayam and extended up to Coonoor by 1830-32. Even without proper road from Coonoor, Ooty was also developed and the first Church was  built  for the British East India company Officers in 1830.  Ooty became the summer Capital of Madras Presidency. Madras regiment of the Indian Army was formed keeping the Wellington as head quarters.

  

THE FOUNDATION STONE of this CHURCH was laid on the 23^rd April 1829 by  THE RIGHT HONORABLE STEPHEN RUMBOLD LUSHINGTON GOVERNOR  &c&c . THE BUILDING was commenced on the 25^th JANUARY 1830 ( coincides with the birth day of King George IV) and was consecrated to ALMIGHTY GOD on the 5^th of DECEMBER 1830 by THE RIGHT REVD JOHN MATTHIAS, LORD BISHOP OF CALCUTTA. THE CHURCH was  finished and opened for DIVINE SERVICE on EASTER SUNDAY. The 3^rd of APRIL 1831. JOHN JAMES UNDERWOOD CAPTAIN OF MADRAS ENGINEERS was the ARCHITECT.

The Church was constructed on a elevated level with a plight of steps. The Hall is supported by the 12 nos of double Pillars and alter is very simple without any ornamental works.  Window  stained glasses  has the scenes like Mother Mary holding baby Jesus, Crucifixion  of Jesus,  Jesus as shepherd are worth to watch. Many brass plates are hanging on the walls with names & birth and died dates  of the British officers, served under Madras Presidency. The Church was built with wood  dismantled from Tippu Sultan’s palace at  Srirangapatna.  The building cost was estimated around Rs 24000.00. The church completed its 187 years of service and marching towards Two centuries.

LOCATION:CLICK HERE

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---