St. Joseph's Church, Chennamkary
St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church (Chennamkary) | ||
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Year consecrated AD 977 | | |
Location | ||
Location | Chennamkary, Alappuzha, Kerala, India | |
Country | India | |
Geographic coordinates | 9°27′22″N 76°23′54″E / 9.45611°N 76.39833°E | |
Website | ||
[1] |
Chennamkary St.Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is a Catholic church in Kerala. It belongs to the Syro-Malabar Church under the archeparchy of Changanacherry. It is the first church in Asia dedicated to Saint Joseph
History
St.
St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara And Darsanathirunnal
St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara who is the pride of Kerala was born in Chennamkari parish in 1805 and was baptized at Chennamkari church. The granite baptismal font which witnessed the sacred rite still adorns the church. St. Kuriakose Elias Chavara was ordained in 1829. Through the efforts of Rev.Fr. kuriakose Elias, the first ... (Darsana samuham) dedicated to St. Joseph in India and Asia was founded in Chennamkari in 1836 vide the decree of Pope Gregory XVI which was sent through H.E. Mar Sauriar, the Bishop of Varapuzha Diocese. Those who assumed the Presidency of the Darsana samuham each year became the prasudenthi. The Sunday following 14 September (the thirunnal of the Veneration of the Cross), the Darsanathirunnal of St. Joseph is celebrated. The Darsanathirunnal has been conducted by prasudenthis without lapse except during the construction period of the present church building. As more unity and co-operation was required for the construction of the church building, the Darsanathirunnal had been conducted commonly by the parishners during the construction of the church.
The New Church
Though the ancient church was majestic, it began to show the signs of aging. Therefore, it was decided to pull apart the church and to build a new church during the tenure of Rev.Fr. Joseph Thumbayil. Rev. Fr. Thomas Kizhakkedath who succeeded Fr. Thumbayil established a fund for the renovation of the church. Under the leadership of his successor, Rev. Fr. Thomas Peelianickal and the convener, the old church was pulled apart. The construction of the new church began in 1994. The newly constructed church was consecrated on 21 December 1997 by H.E. Mar Joseph Powathil. Rev.Fr. Thomas Alumparampil who succeeded Fr. Peelianickal paid off the debts incurred due to the construction of the church and started a fund for the erection of a kodimaram(flag pole).A chapel was erected in the cemetery during his tenure.
The manimalika at Chennamkari church is as reputed and ancient as Chennamkari church. Though the building had developed a slant, it enjoys a pride place in the heart of the parishners. The two storeyed vicarage was renovated under the leadership of Rev.Fr. Xavier Vettuthiruthel and the trustees in 1975.A new kodimaram (flag pole) much more beautiful but ancient looking similar to the former beautiful and famous kodimaram was erected under the leadership of the then vicar Rev.Fr. Joseph Poovathusseril and the convener in 2005.
Church At Glance
- Parish : Chennamkary[1]
- Forane : Champakulam
- Diocese : Changanacherry
- Patron : Saint Joseph
- First Church : AD 977
- Priests : 1
- Vicar : Fr. James Athikkalam
- Catholic Families : 387
- Phone : 0477-2724237
Institutions under the Parish
- CML
- Yuvadeephity - KCYM
- St. Vincent De Paul Society
- Kuttanadu Vikasana Samithy
- Mathrujyothis
- Pithruvedi
- St. Franciscan Organization
- Deva Matha High School
- Adoration Convent (SABS)