Edathua Church

Edathua Palli annual feast (5th, 6th and 7th of May) sees believers from across the southern parts of the country, throng in great numbers to seek aid and blessings for their near and dear ones. Religious sites have provided succour and relief to many an anxious devotee, and the Edathua Church in Alappuzha is no different. Legend has it that those with medical issues, especially mental disorders, have found salvation at this holy site. 

Built in 1810 and dedicated to St. George, the St. George Forane Church is among the prime attractions in this tranquil backwater district. Its annual feast (5th, 6th and 7th of May) sees believers from across the southern parts of the country, throng in great numbers to seek aid and blessings for their near and dear ones. ST GEORGE CHURCH EDATHUA

Edathua is a place in Kuttanad, Alappuzha district,Kerala, India.

Situated 12 kilometres (7.5 m) from Thiruvalla Town, Edathua is famous for the St. George Catholic Church known as Edathua Palli. The church celebrates its major feast during the month of May. It is an important destination for the Christian and non-Christian pilgrims. The old Edathua Palli was built when Fr. Thomas Olakkapady was the vicar of the palli. People from throughout the state as well as from the neighboring states visit the town and the church. St. Aloysius college which is under Mahatma Gandhi University built and managed by the Church parish is located here

HISTORY OF EDATHUA CHURCH

St. Thomas, the apostle of Lord Jesus came to India in AD 52 and preached the Good News. He established Christian communities at different places in Kerala. The Community established by him at Niranam, in course of time, grew in number and many Churches were founded afterwards to fulfill the sacramental needs of the faithful.

In AD 417 St. Mary’s Church at Kalloorkatt (Champakulam) was founded. The Christian Community in and around Edathua, now journeyed to Champakulam for carrying out their spiritual needs.

These people were hard working and led a simple life. They lived in lands retained in the vast paddy fields of Kuttanadu. The Community grew in number as members from Shankarapuri family, one of the Brahmin families converted by St.Thomas, who had then settled down in Kuravilangadu, on the Southern side of the Church and hence known as Thekkedathu, came to reside at Edathua. Besides, the support extended by the Royal Family of Chempakassery, Ambalapuzha, which had connection with the Kudamalloor Community, prompted many of them to come and settle down in Kuttandu. The brisk growth of the Christian community here was an impetus for founding Churches at Alappuzha in 1100 at Purakkad in 1410 and at Pulincunnoo in 1557. The founding of the above Churches kindled a strong desire in the minds of the faithfuls in Edathua. They prayed and waited patiently to have a Church of their own.

Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Valiaveettil Kathanar, who was the first priest from Edathua, inspired and motivated the laity, and with the assistance of few prominent people like Kurian Tharakan Ooramvelil, Pothan Mappila Thekkedath, Mathan Mappila Methikalam, Chekkidikadu, Thommi Mappila Vettuthottunkal, initiated the move for a Church at Edathua.

The Vazhappuzha Vicariat was established and the administration of the parish under the Archdiocese of Kodungalloor was handed over to the new Vicariat.

The move to construct a parish Church at Edathua got intensified and the representatives of Edathua under the leadership of Fr. Valiaveettil Kathanar convinced the Apostolica of their need and finally Most Rev. Raymond the vicar Apostolica granted the canonical permission for the Church at Koilmukku in 1810. There was a reclaimed land, on the western side of river Pamba that flowed north wards and was surrounded by ancient Catholic families of Kurumkattumoolayil Cheppattu, Thyparampil Attumalil and Padinjarekkara; The Land belonged to a prominent Hindu Nair family karanavar Shri Kocherukkapanicker a magnanimous person. He gave the Land free for the construction of the Church September 29,1810 (M.E. 986 Kanni, 14) the foundation stone was laid. With the whole hearted support of the faithful a small Church in the tradition of St. Thomas Christians with Thora, Hykala and Sankirthi was built. Thus the dream to have a parish Church of their own materialized and with enhanced fervour they attended the services held in the Church.

The new parishioners, though not financially well off, were resolute and hardworking. They were engaged in agriculture and trade. They planned to build a biggie Church and in November 1839, the foundation stone was laid for the present Church. Meanwhile a cemetery Chapel was also built.

The new Church was in the name of St.George and naturally they desired to have a Statue of the saint. They found a statue of the saint kept in the attic of the Edappally Church and decided to take it. Tradition says that strange events happened in the Church as this unused and abandoned Statue of the saint was taken out of the Church. Believing that the Saint's miraculous power accompanied the statue; many devotees flowed to Edathua Church especially during the Saint’s feast conducted from April 27th to May 7th of every year. The Saint’s intercession brought thousands of pilgrims to Edathua and Edathua in course of time under many changes, finally growing into a business center. The visionaries who foresaw these chapters impressed upon the parishioners to establish educational institutions. The first Malayalam School was established in 1888 and seven years later, St. Aloysius’ English School also started functioning which was upgraded as High School in 1902. Schools were also established at various Sub centers of Edathua like Pacha and Pandankary. Also churches at Sub center were also founded, apparently the natives of Edathua prospered and progressed and Edathua came to be looked up as the center of Education and commerce.

Meanwhile the Church building was strengthened and beautification works undertaken many times, all of which culminated into the beautiful edifice we have today. Meanwhile the Church building was strengthened and beautification works undertaken many times, all of which culminated into the beautiful edifice we have today.

The blessings received through the intercession of Saint George transformed Edathua into a permanent Pilgrim center of South India.

The natives of Edathua from the beginning were very religious and pious. This rich religious Soil gave birth to a saintly soul like Puthenparampil Thommachan, the founder of Franciscan Third Order. Moreover the seeds of a great congregation of Sisters, SABS were also sown in the soil.

The religious harmony that existed here is worth mentioning. People belonging to different religions, inspired by a fraternal love, encouraged and assisted each other promoting each one’s development. The religious atmosphere and the Saint’s presence prevented any untoward incident. Each and every native of Edathua fervently prayed to the Saint and strongly believed in his intercession. They all had a strong attachment to the Edathua Church.

Getting there

Nearest railway station: Alappuzha, about 27 km

Nearest airport: Cochin International Airport, about 111 km