church

In Kerala christianity is considered as ancient as the Christian era. Christianity was established in Kerala on the Malabar coast in the first century AD around the seven churches established by St. Thomas at different places. The Christian faith has since then flourished across the land, co-existing with other religions. St. Thomas is thus considered as the father of Christianity and it was he who preached and spread the religion across Kerala. He had initially converted around twelve Brahmin familes in Kerala into Christianity. These families came to be known as Syrian Christians. The churches set up by St. Thomas at various places in Kerala include the churches at Kodungallur, Palayur, Paravur, Kokomangalam, Niranam, Chayal, and Kollam. He is also said to have built the Malayatoor Church himself. The Malayatoor Church still has the Golden Cross, the well-preserved footprints of St. Thomas and the miraculous water well. It was during the 16th century that the Portuguese style of Church-architecture was brought in. The St. Francis Church in Kochi is the first church built in this style. Today there are a number of other famous churches in Kerala.

Related Topics
Malayatoor Church   Santa Cruz Basillica   St. Francis Church or Santo Antonio   St. Mary's Valiya Palli   St John's Cathedral   St Mary's Orthodox Church   Champakulam St. Mary's Church   St Mary's Orthodox Church Kallada   St Mary's Forane Church   St Joseph Church   St Thomas Benedictine Monastery   St Mary's Forane Church Kuruvilangad   St George's Forane Church   St Thomas Archdiocesan Shrine   Marthoma Mariam Big Church   Palayur Church   Marthoma Pontifical Shrine   St Mary's Forane Church or Koratty Muthy   St Mary's Orthodox Church or Cheriyapally   Religion in Kerala