History of Kaviyoor - 3

Part - 3

Christian Churches

St. Stephen’s Church (CSI), Mundiyapalli

Built in 1867, this is the oldest church of the village. The initial thatched shed that served as church was destroyed by ‘influential’ Hindus and had to be rebuilt. The first congregation had ‘201 baptized

Christians’. The construction of a modern church was started in 1918, but financial difficulties prolonged the construction till 1938. A parish hall was built in 1967 to commemorate the centenary of the church. The diocese renovated the church in 1969.

Kaviyoor Sleeba Church (Syrian Jacobite – Orthodox), Thottabhagam

Sleeba Church (Old)

Sleeba Church (New)

Opened in 1892, the church belongs to the Orthodox faction of the Jacobite denomination. A magnificent new church has been opened in 2015 adjacent to the old church.

Syrian Catholic Church of the ‘Reeth’ Denomination, Thottabhagam

This is a church belonging to a sub-denomination of Catholics, established close to the Sleeba Church, by Rev. Kalayakkātil (കലയക്കാട്ടില്‍ കത്തനാര്‍) who was earlier with the Orthodox faction of Jacobites. Know as the ‘Reeth’ (rite or ritual, from ritus in Latin) the followers of the sub-enomination are those who returned to Catholicism with their own distinct rituals.

The Little Flower Malankara 'Reeth' Church, Kuriyan Kāvu, Kottoor

The Malankara Reeth Church, Kuriyan Kavu, Kottoor

Emmanuel Marthoma Church, Kottoor

The Emmanuel Mar Thoma Church, Kottoor

Mar Thoma Church, Mannaamkunnil, Padinjattumcheri

(Mar Thoma Valiya Palli, Courtesy: https://www.facebook.com/kaviyoormarthomavaliyapally)

Tucked away in typical sylvan surroundings, the church was established in 1867 – two years before Mahatma Gandhi was born! This could be second oldest church of the village.

St. Stephen's CSI Church, Mundiyappalli

St. Stephen's CSI Church, Mundiyappalli

(More details of the churches of the village will be published later)

Mar Thoma Church, Njalikandam

Jacobite Orthodox Church, Kottoor (East)

Mar Thoma Church, Pazhampalli

(For write-ups on temples, see Part - 4)

....cont'd Part 4

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