Attukal Bhagavathy Temple, Kerala, India

Tradition has it that quilon was the site of one of the seven Christian communities set up by St. Thomas The Apostle. That quilon had been the main center of activity of the Fracsiscian and Dominican Missionaries since the later half of the 13th century is but part of modern history.On 19th August1932 Pope John XXII constituted quilon as an Episcopal see, the first diocese in the Indies established by the Holy see and the only in the country at that time.A small community, that embraced christienity in AD 54 by St.Thomas The Apostle in quilon existed in kadavoor.History says that THEVALLY was the port at that time and was a center of St.Thomas Christians.The Christian immegrates from syria engeged in trade, other Christian trade and missionaries who elited at quilon on their way to the Indies, enlightened and boosted the Christian faith existed here. historical evidence reveals that THAREESAPALLY, the famed center of Christienity was at THEVALLY and the Bishop JORDANIOUS KATHALANI established a church in the name of St.George at thevally. The portuguse who arrived in quilon in 1503 found two churches in Quilon one in the name of 'OUR LADY' and other in the name of 'St.George'. they revived and strengthened the Christian community.Naturally kadavoor the adjusent place of Thevally became a trading centre as well as the part of christian heritage.The portuguse have errected a 'CROSS' at Kottayathu Kadavu on the banks of Astamudi Lake and the cross now renovated exist on the side of the present church. For all spititual reuirements in the faithful of kadavoor were depending Neendakara parish.In 1817, six prominent Christian families of Kadavoor Viz.Vilayil kadayil, Thenguvila, Ottathengu, Kunnath, Thekkath and Kottayathu jointly purchased a plot for the church from Mrs.MC DOWELL, the wife of an Army officer of the east indian company stationed at kadavoor.In 1870 Msgr. Maria Ephream Carrelon, Vicar Apostilic of Quilon errected the first church. he was in charge of the parish assisted by Fr.Rozario.The church was extented by Rev.Fr. Diago Anto Ivan D'souza, a Portuguse priest, the first parish priest in kadavoor.

Like a river originating so humbly and meekly as a brook, flowing incessantly and gathering many more brooks, gradually becoming a very big one, our church, Lourdes Forane Church originated from a congregation of merely 25 Catholic families, has become, a great and big parish, gathering many more families in the course of its growth. Today there are 1100 families, around 5000 parishioners in our church.Centuries back, Kottayam was a Christian centre. But after the ‘Koonan Kurishu Sathyam’, the church was split into various groups. There was a large-scale migration to the high range regions. They realised the prospects of the wonder tree ‘rubber’, planted rubber trees and became prosperous plantation owners.The Christians who settled in Kuttanad regions also became rich by paddy cultivation. They worked hard in the rice fields and earned money. These farmers could afford to provide good education to their children; as a result, the next generation saw many efficient lawyers and professionals, among these Catholics.Kottayam was the centre of Kottayam district, with the Civil Station and the District Court. The heads of church, identified the prospects of this place. ‘Sabhabhasuran’ Rev. Mani Nidheerickal selected this region as the centre of his activities related to ecumenism. His follower, Rev.Fr.Thomas Kurialassery, became the first local Bishop of Changanassery. He purchased 16 acres of land near the Civil Station and shifted the minor seminary (which had been functioning in the Bishop’s house at Changanassery) to this place in 1919. But this started to function fully in 1922 only.In the meanwhile, the lawyers who preferred to live in the vicinity of the District Court and the rich Catholics who wished to send their children, to the prestigious educational institutions in and around Kottayam settled down in Kottayam. They attended the Holy Mass at the Seminary Chapel.This Chapel was a ‘Bernadette’s’ Church in the beginning; and later the present name ‘ Lourdes Church’ was adopted. It was Mary Bernadette’s visions of the Virgin Mary, which led to the founding of the Shrine of Lourdes in France. His Holiness Mar.Mathew Kavukattu was the Vice-Rector here for a short period. There was a press attached to the Seminary.The foundation stone for the new church was laid on 18 th March 1934. The construction of the renovated church was completed on 16 th April 1938. The petty seminary was shifted again to Changanassery in 1945. In the meantime, our church has grown into a well-established Christian fellowship. In 1954, 5 acres of land was given free of cost to the Medical Mission Sisters, as they wished to start a training institute for the nuns. The result was a ‘Noviciate’ instead of a seminary- a convent and a school along with a church, is the usual concept of a catholic community.The construction of the Lourdes Parish Hall began in 1976. On 10 th October 1978, Arch Bishop Mar.Antony Padiyara inaugurated the new parish hall. On 25 th April 1982, the renovation of the church was completed. On 13 th December 1982, the parish was raised to a ‘ Forane Church’. On February 23,1992, the Vadavathoor church was inaugurated. On December 12 th 1993, Bishop Mar. Joseph Powathil inaugurated the Lourdes Forane Centre- a glittering chapter in the history of the church. The Platinum jubilee of the church was celebrated from January 29 to February 12, 1995- an occasion for spiritual renewal. Lourdes Public School was started in May 1996. On 30 th January 2000, the blessing of the Lourdes Public School was done by Mar.Joseph Powathil.Today Lourdes Forane Church is one among the excellent, model and rich parishes of Changanassery Arch Diocese. It is a supreme example of God’s mercy showered on a devoted community; renewed to create wonders, among the poor, suffering fellows; it is a community, blessed with Mercy, Love and Concern; it is a communion recharging themselves from the Holy Communion-the Eucharist; holding high the Eucharistic Culture; following the formula-the sum and substance of Pope John Paul II’s Encyclical letter- E.C = 4S + 3L, where E.C = Eucharistic Culture, 4S = Sharing, Silence, Suffering and Surrendering. 3L = Love, Life and Light.Rosamma RajanMethikkalamKalathilpady.