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Years back, Syrian Christians from different region, especially from Thumbamon, Kadambanadu and other Central Travancore places migrated to Anchal and nearby places for the purpose of trade and agriculture.
In 1932, they built a small shed in the land of Sri. George Ommen(Bethel) in Alencherry ( 1KM away from main junction) and started the Sunday school. This was the first mile stone in the construction of St. Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church Alencherry.
Years later, in 1936 Sri. George Ommen donated that land to Malankara Metropolitha for the construction of a new church. People built a church in the name of St. Mary; and accordingly to the tradition and customs of Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. On 28th August 1937, the church was consecrated by H.G Puthencavil Mar Phelaxinos ( Metropolitha of Thumbamon).Rev. Fr. Koshy Mavizharikathu ( Ayoor) served as the first vicar of the parish.
From 1938 to 1974, Rev. Fr. K Gheevarghese Changarampallil ( Manoor Achan) served as the vicar of the church. During this period, Shimonah; the Angel of Mount Athos visited the church,during his visit to India. He spent more than one month in this church, with prayers and meditation. He was very much attracted with the church and got many spiritual visions during his prayer. He painted and purified a holy picture of St.Mary and Jesus Christ,with the holy oil and water from the river Jordan. The holy picture is still preserved in the church with atmost care.
Since 1965 onwards Nativity of St. Mary( Ettunombu Perunal) is being celebtrated as the main perunal of the church. From 1974, perunnal started conducting more grand and graciously. Now it is being celebrated as "Alencherry Church Feast". Every year on September 7th , after the evening prayer ( Sandhya Namaskaram), the procession ( Rassa) is being held from Alencherry to church.
On 6th September 1975, H.H Baselius Marthoma Mathews I visited the church. The Catholicos and the diocesan Metropolitha were welcomed by the regional members of Alencherry with due respect. In 1979, Trivandrum Diocese came into existence. As a result, the church came under the holy control of Trivandrum diocese. In 1982, a prayer hall was constructed by the side of the existing church and was blessed; in the name of St. Mary. Many more developments were also happened in the following years.
In 1997, the Managing committee decided to re-construct the church. On 8th September 2001, H.H Baselius Marthoma Mathews II laid the foundation stone of the new church. On 2006 August 30 & 31, the church was consecrated by H.H Baselius Marthoma Didymus I (Catholicose of the East & Malankara Metropolitan) ,assisted by H.G Mathews Mar Eppipanios( Kollam), H.G Zachariach Mar Anthonios( Kochi),H.G. Dr. Gabriel Mar Gregorios( Thiruvananthapuram).
On every year, August 15th is being celebrated as the parish day of the church. In addition to the Ettunombu perunal; feast of St. George, St. Gregorios, St. Thomas, St. Jude are also celebrated in this church. Thousands visit the church throughout the year, particularly during the Alencherry Church feast days. Recognising the importance of this spiritual place, His Holiness Baselius Marthoma Didymus I (Catholicose & Malankara Metropolitan) declared the church as "International Mathamariyam Pilgrim Centre" on 3rd September 2010. The is a Counselling Centre of Thirupanathapuram Diocese. Presently the church have parish membership of more than 240 homes!
Alencherry St. Mary's Church has a long history of more than 75 years. The history behind which the church still remains as a source and fountain of strength for the people of Alencherry and near by places irrespective of cast and creeds.
The Syrian Christians migrated from different region, especially from Thumbamon and other Central Travancore places built the first church in 1932.The desire of ancient fathers for a holy place to take prayers and religious ceremonies for the Pilgrim Christians were the root causes of construction of the church. The stones of St Mary's Orthodox Syrian Church, Alencherry are silent witnesses to the joy and hope, the grief and anguish of generations of Orthodox families. In the quiet corners of this church, those who shed tears of regret have found peace, those who sighed with weariness have gone out with new strength, those who were lost have discovered a way. Under the arches of this building, candles of hope and trust have flickered through the years. Here, those in love have pledged to be true to one another all the days of their lives. Here, they have brought their children to be baptised and confirmed as followers of Christ. Here, they have said their last farewell to those whose death they mourn. In this church, communities find a sign of their fellowship with each other and the expression of their unity with the Church throughout the world.
The church is therefore not only an important place for those who use it regularly, but for the whole city of Anchal as it provides a sanctuary and an oasis of green that invites people to rest awhile! The prayers and blessings of St.Mary; the patron saint leads the church until now.
On 28 August 2011, H.G Dr Gabriel Mar Gregorios (Metropolitan of Thiruvanathapuram) inaugurated the church jubilee year celebrations. Platinum Jubilee year celebrations last for one year with various programmes. Jubilee year end celebration was concluded with the public meeting held on 8 September 2012. H.G Dr Yohanon Mar Melitios inaugurated the function. Various political and spiritual leaders chaired the function.
Date | Event |
August 1932 | Temporary Church Built & Started Sunday School |
August 1936 | Construction of the first church started |
28 August 1937 | First church consecrated by H.G Puthencavil Mar Phelaxinos |
October 1938 | Shimonah of Mount Athos visited the church |
November 1938 | Shimonah laid the holy cross in Altar |
December 1938 | Holy picture of St.Mary painted by Shimonah placed in church |
1956 | Decision taken for constructing the 2nd Church |
26 December 1961 | Foundation stone of 2nd church laid by H.G Mathews Mar Coorilos |
1 September 1965 | Nativity of St. Mary( Ettunombu Perunal) stared in Church |
13 February 1966 | 2nd Church consecrated by H.G Mathews Mar Coorilos |
6 September 1975 | H.H Baselius Marthoma Mathews I visited the church |
1 January 1979 | Church came under Thirupanathapuram Diocese |
15 August 1982 | First Prayer Room consecrated by H.G Geevarghese Mar Diocorous |
8 September 2001 | Foundation Stone of present church laid by H.H Baselius Marthoma Mathews II |
31 August 2006 | Present Church Consecrated by H.H Baselius Didymos I |
3 September 2010 | Church declared as International Marthamariyam Pilgrim Centre |
28 August 2011 | Marthamariyam Shrine consecrated by H.G Gabriel Mar Gregorios |
28 August 2011 | Platinum Jubilee Year inaugurated by H.G Gabriel Mar Gregorios |
4 September 2011 | Church uplifted as Couselling Centre |
4 - 8 April 2012 | H.G Dr Gabriel Mar Gregorios led the Holy Passion Week Service in the Parish |
8 September 2012 | Platinum Jubilee Year end meeting inaugurated by H.G Dr Yohanon Mar Melitios |
15 August 2016 | H.G Anba Youssef, Metropolitan of the South America diocesan with 30 other delegates of Coptic Orthodox Church visited our church. |
24 & 25 August 2019 | H.G Dr Gabriel Mar Gregorios consecrated the renovated altar & church |
Period | Vicar |
1936 - 1938 | Rev Fr Koshy Kattanar (Ayoor) |
1938 - 1974 | Rev Fr Geevarghese Changaramparambil |
1965 - 1970 | Rev Fr Jyanashikamani Shastri (Asst. Vicar) |
1970 - 1971 | Rev Fr Alex Kurumbil (Asst. Vicar) |
1971 - 1975 | Rev Fr P V Samuel |
1975 - 1976 | Rev Fr W A Cherian (H.G Zachariah Mar Anthonios) |
1976 | Rev Fr P M Koshy |
1976 - 1977 | Rev Fr C Kurian |
1977 - 1979 | Rev Fr K P Philip Rev Fr Zachariah Abraham (Asst. Vicar) |
1979 - 1981 | Rev Fr Yohanan Panicker |
1981 - 1988 | Rev Fr Thomas T Vargheese |
1988 - 1992 | Rev Fr K K Thomas |
1992 - 1994 | Rev Fr C Koshy |
1994 - 1997 | Rev Fr Joseph Samuel Karukayil Rev Fr C D Rajan (Asst. Vicar) |
1997 - 2000 | Rev Fr Anil John |
2000 - 2003 | Rev Fr C Johnson Mulamottil |
2003 - 2005 | Rev Fr Mathew Abraham |
2005 - 2010 | Rev Fr John Philip |
2010 | Rev Fr John Daniel |
2010 - 2012 | Rev Fr K G Jacob Panicker |
2012 - 2015 | Rev Fr Sam Kanjickal |
2015 - 2018 | Rev Fr Mathew Thomas |
2018 Onwards | Rev Fr Varghese Abraham |
Late Rev Fr Yacob OIC (Bethany) |
Very Rev Thomas T Varghese Cor-Episcopa (T.V.M Diocese) |
Rev Fr Thomas Daniel (Kollam Diocese) |
Rev Fr Sam Thomas (T.V.M Diocese) |
Kalkurishu (Holy cross made with stone) infront of the church |
St.Mary's Shrine at Alencherry Junction |
St.George Shrine at Muthalatu |
St.Gregorios shrine at Kannancodu |
St.Jude Shrine at Alencherry Pally Mukku |
Church opened from 7.00 Am to 8.00 Pm every day |
Marthamariyam Shrine opened from 7.00 Am to 8.00 Pm every day |
Kalkurishu & Kalvilaku (Holy cross & lamp made with stone) infront of church |
Counselling facility based on prior appointment from Vicar |
St. Mary's Auditorium with seating capacity of 450 people |
Parsonage with a full-time resident priest |
Church office working on all worship days |
Holy Pond in church premise |
Church Canteen |
Church Pavilion |
Parking Facility |
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