CHURCHES FOUNDED BY ST. THOMAS, THE APOSTLE
The catechetical system of the Syro-Malabar Church is organized in four
levels: Synodal, Eparchial, Forane / regional, and Parochial.
| |
Year |
| Saint Thomas at the palace of King Gondaphares in North India |
c. 40 AD |
| Saint Thomas lands at Cranganore |
c. 52 AD |
Palayoor
Kodungaloor
Parur
Kokamangalam
Niranam
Nilackal / Chayal Kollam |
c. 52-72 AD |
| Martyrdom of Saint Thomas at Mylapore, India |
July 3rd. 72 AD |
All these communities were in the coastal region. Around the third century St. Thomas Christians began to move east as part of their agrarian activities to bring more forest under cultivation. This resulted in erection of several churches at inland parts. In the succeeding centuries migrating Persian Christians and some local Christians concentrated more of their activities on the coast, while native St. Thomas Christians penetrated more and more to the inland parts. Until the last century, vast majority of Syro-Malabar Catholics lived in erstwhile Cochin and Travancore states, with Meenachil Taluk having the largest proportion.
ANCIENT CHURCHES/PARISHES OF THE THOMAS CHRISTIANS
| Church |
Year of foundation |
| Kuravilangadu Church |
c. 105 AD |
| Pallipuram Church |
c. 290 AD |
| Ambazhakad Church |
c. 300 AD |
| Aruvithara Church |
c. 301 AD |
| North Pudukad Church |
c. 400 AD |
| Puthenchira Church |
c. 400 AD |
| Chambakulam Church |
c. 427 AD |
| Akaparambu Church |
450 AD |
| Angamali Church |
450 AD |
| Mattam Church |
c. 480 AD |
| Muttuchira Church |
c. 510 AD |
| Kaduthuruthy Church |
c. 510 AD |
| Enammavu Church |
c. 510 AD |
| Udayamperoor Church |
c. 510 AD |
| Edapally Church |
c. 593 AD |
| Chalakudy Church |
c. 600 AD |
| Mylakombu Church |
c. 600 AD |
| Kolenchery Church |
c. 650 AD |
| Moozhikulam Church |
c. 650 AD |
| Kayamkulam Church |
c. 824 AD |
| Kothanalloor Church |
c.826 AD |
| Athirampuzha Church |
c.835 AD |
| Kottayam Church |
890 AD |
| Nagapuzha Church |
900 AD |
| Mapranam Church |
928 AD |
| Manjapra Church |
943 AD |
| Mavelikara Church |
943 AD |
| Kadamattom Church |
950 AD |
| Pazhuvil Church |
960 AD |
| Arakuzha Church |
999 AD |
| Nediasala Church |
999 AD |
| Kottekad Church |
999 AD |
| Kunnamkulam Church |
999 AD |
| Kadaplamattom Church |
10th century |
| Kanjur Church |
1001 AD |
| Kaduthuruthy Cheriapally |
c. 1001 AD |
| Pala Church |
1002 AD |
| Muttam Church |
1023 AD |
| Cherpunkal Church |
1111 AD |
| Vadakara Church |
1096 AD |
| Bharananganam Church |
1100 AD |
| Changanacherry Church |
1117 AD |
| Thripunithara Church |
1175 AD |
| Cheppadu Church |
c. 1175 AD |
| Chengannoor Church |
c. 1175 AD |
| Kudamaloor Church |
c. 1175 AD |
| Ernakulam Church |
c. 1175 AD |
| Mulanthuruthy Church |
1225 AD |
| Kothamangalam Valiapally |
1240 AD |
| Karthikapally Church |
c. 1240 AD |
| Kuruppumpady Church |
c. 1240 AD |
| Alengad Church |
1300 AD |
| Muthalakodam Church |
1312 AD |
| Njarackal Church |
1341 AD |
| Koratty Church |
1381 AD |
| Poonjar Church |
c. 1381 AD |
| Alleppey Church |
1400 AD |
| Kanjirappilly Church |
1450 AD |
| Ramapuram Church |
1450 AD |
| Kothamangalam Cheriapally |
1455 AD |
| Kudavechur Church |
1463 AD |
| Elanji Church |
1522 AD |
MAP OF CHRISTIAN PRESENCE IN 1600
CHURCH ARCHITECTURE OF THE ST. THOMAS CHRISTIANS
In 1578, there were about Sixty Churches for Saint Thomas Christians in Kerala. The number of Churches increased during the course of time, and by the year 1644 there were about 94 of them. The Church buildings conformed to the Malabar style of architecture. The ancient Churches externally looked like non- Christian pagodas, the only distinction being the crosses that were put on the roofs and in front in the open air. The Churches also had flag staff. A flag hoisted on such a staff indicates that a feast is being celebrated in the church. The early buildings were built entirely of wood. (They would last 400 years!). Most of the old churches are beautifully decorated with the Virgin and Child, crosses on various floriated designs and angles, images of male and female beings, half man, half fish, holding a ship above their heads. There are also images which has no religious significance such as man shooting a tiger etc.
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