History

CHANGING FACE OF THE CHURCH

Through centuries, the architecture of the church has undergone several changes. In 1806, Claudius Buchanan records that the portico of the church was constructed in a manner similar to the Hindu temples of those days. In 1907-1908, the church was extended further to the west. Until 1921, the cemetry was located at the south side of the church. This made access to the street on the south side difficult. In 1921, it was decided to relocate the cemetry to the north side. Tombs were transferred to the new cemetry. On September 5, 1923, Mor Ostatheos Sleebo consecrated the reconstructed sanctuary (Beth qudsho). The sanctuary was built by Augustine Padiyala of Ernakulam and cost Rs. 1000 in those days. In 1949, the qdush-qudshin was constructed over the side altars dedicated to Holy Virgin Mary and John the Baptist and was consecrated by the then Metropolitan of Cochin, Mulerickal Mor Severios Paulos.

 

Churches formed from Karingachira Church

• St. Mary's Church, Nadamel, Tripunithura.
• St. Peters & St. Paul's Church, Kadungamangalam
• Cheruthottukunnel Church was established in the thirtees in the name of St. George and has about 200 families.
• St. Mary's Church, Varikkoli was established in the 1940s as a branch of the Karingachira church and has about 300 families.
• St. George's Church,Veloor has its origins in a Sunday School building opened on April 14, 1949 by the Metropolitan of Cochin, Mar Severios Paulos. On April 8, 1954, the first mass was offered here by Ichikkottil Achan. A chapel was established here and holy mass offered every Sunday by the vicars of Karingachira church. On 1965 February 22, this church was elevated to a parish church. The foundation stone for a new church was laid on February 6, 1973 and relics of Mor Elias IIIrd of Manjinikkara was established here. The side altars of this church are in the name of Holy Virgin Mary and the martyr Mor Kuriakose. The church is today a beautiful building atop a hill surrounded by lush green paddy fields and coconut groves and is located near the industrial belt of Ambalamedu.
• St. John's Church, Kaaniattunirappu was established by parishioners of Karingachira, Mulanthuruthy and Kandanad on May 20, 1872. This was later rebuilt and consecrated by the Metropolitan of Kandanad, Murimattathu Mar Ivanios Paulose. The church has about 420 families.
• St. George's Church, Vennikulam was established on April 19, 1965, when P.S. Skaria Kathanar (Ichikkottil Achan) laid its foundation stone. The sanctuary was consecrated on January 26 1966. The completed church was consecrated on January 26, 1976 by H.G. Mor Gregorius Gheevarghese. The church has about 86 families.
• Mor Gregorius Chapel, Ambalamukal, has its origins in 1940 when a cross was established at Ambalamukal on the feast day of Maphryono Mor Baselios Yaldho. However, Iyyakuzhi Devaswam representative
  
  Baptism Table in use from AD 722

  (modikkaran) appealed to the Kunnathunadu tahalsidar. He summoned Pulayath Paili Puravathu who supervised construction of the chapel and directed that public worship must not be held at the site. The cross was consecrated by Metropolitan of Cochin, Mar Severios Paulos. On August 15, 1972, a foundation stone was laid for a chapel. The chapel construction was led by Rev. P.P. Joseph, Varghese K. Pulayath, K.J. Philip and M.A. Abraham. On December 1, 1972, the first Mass was offered in the semi-completed building by the Metropolitan of Cochin. The chapel was completed and consecrated by Mor Gregorius Gheevarghese and Mor Osthatheous Thomas in November 1982. The relics of Parumala Mor Gregorius was installed at the church on this occasion. This church caters to the spiritual needs of the parishioners in the region including those employed in the industrial belt of Ambalamukal-Ambalamedu. It continues to function as a chapel of Karingachira church.

• Karingachira Church has kurishupallis at Karingachira, Thiruvankulam, Irumpanam, Irumpanam Road Jn, Chithrapuzha, Ambalamukal and Udayamperoor.

RELATIONS WITH THE COCHIN ROYAL FAMILY

Karingachira church always received the patronage of the Cochin royal family. After shifting their residence to Kanakakunnu palace (Hill Palace), the royal family was constantly afflicted by diseases. On consulting with astrologers, they decided to give offerings every month to the nearby 'horseman's church.' Karingachira thus received considerable assistance from the royal family. The church records say that the royal highness ordered the government to provide assistance for the construction of the old church buildings. The vicars of Karingachira were given special privileges by the royal family. The royal procession on Athachamayam before the festival, Onam, could begin only in the presence of the Karingachira vicar.

It is well known that Mor Ahathulla was murdered by the Portugese with the connivance of the Cochin highness, who refused to intervene despite pleas from the Syrian Christians. However, on the very day Mor Ahathulla was murdered, the Highness died. Recognizing this as a bad omen, the royal family made offerings at the Karingachira church.