The History and Legacy of Vakayar St. Mary’s Church.

Last updated on: October 12, 2026

Humble Beginnings and Foundation

Vakayar is a peaceful and scenic village where people of diverse religions and faiths live together in harmony like brothers and sisters. On September 20, 1930, the ascetic leader Archbishop Geevarghese Mar Ivanios reunited with the Catholic Church. Soon after, the waves of reunion reached Vakayar. As a result, on February 9, 1941, a parish community was established in Vakayar under the name of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Mar Ivanios. Mr. Mammen Kannanthanam, a Catholic believer, offered his home to celebrate the Holy Mass. Rev. Fr. Jose Mathew Chalkadavu was appointed as the first vicar.

Growth and Early Construction

Later, Mr. Koshy Kochummen of Puthen Bunglow transferred the required land for the church to the ecclesiastical authority. A small church was subsequently constructed on the site where the present church stands. Over time, following the unprecedented growth of the parish, a new church built in the Indian architectural style was constructed in 1958 under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Joseph Vadakkekoottu. It was consecrated by the late Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios of blessed memory.

Historic Milestones and Special Visits

In 1958, while Rev. Fr. Cyriac Manavalan was serving as the vicar, the Silver Jubilee of the establishment of the Malankara Catholic Hierarchy was celebrated at Vakayar. The participation of 13 bishops on a single stage was a historic event. During those days, India’s first Cardinal, Archbishop Valerian Gracias of Bombay, visited Vakayar along with Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios. He praised the parish's growth and commended it as "The best catechism class in the Arch Diocese." Recognizing the need for a shrine (Kurishumthotti), Rev. Fr. Joseph Vadakkekoottu, with the support and cooperation of the parishioners and locals, constructed a beautiful shrine on land donated by Mr. Perumal Perumal of Koikkalethu.

Community Hall and Infrastructure Expansion

Vakayar Parish, which serves as the headquarters of the Konni Ecclesiastical District, realized its long-cherished dream of a community hall through the visionary leadership and zeal of its vicar, Very Rev. Daniel Vadakkekkara Cor-Episcopa. The foundation stone for Mary Matha Community Hall was laid on September 10, 1995, by Most Rev. Lawrence Mar Ephraem, Auxiliary Bishop of Trivandrum, and its consecration was solemnized on February 22, 1998, by Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos, Major Archbishop of Trivandrum. The community hall was later modernized under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Adv. Jose Kalavila.

Under the special initiative of Rev. Fr. Daniel Vadakkekkara, construction of a new presbytery was completed in 2000 and consecrated by Most Rev. Joshua Mar Ignathios. The second floor of the presbytery and the first cellar containing 80 units were constructed during the tenure of Very Rev. Varghese Mavelil Cor-Episcopa. During the tenure of Rev. Fr. Chacko Thadathil, the church ceiling was renovated, and the front portico and grotto were built; these were consecrated on January 10, 2010, by Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos. A second cellar containing 42 units was also completed during Fr. Thadathil's tenure. The old flagpole in front of the church was replaced with a modern one during the service of Rev. Fr. Augustine Pulimuttath. The new flagpole was consecrated on January 8, 2012, by Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios, Auxiliary Bishop of the Major Archdiocese of Trivandrum.

A Mother Parish and Educational Contributions

Having passed through its childhood, adolescence, and youth, Vakayar Parish grew into a mother parish that birthed and nurtured neighboring parishes such as Oottupara, Kalleli, Kallelithottam, Mannira, Pezhungad, and Elappupara. Vakayar Parish stands today as the headquarters of the Konni Ecclesiastical District, which encompasses 26 churches. Established through the vision of Rev. Fr. Koshy Chakkalamannil, the Bethany Convent, St. Thomas School (offering classes from nursery to 7th grade), and the Bethania Balabhavan function here. The dedicated service of the Bethany Sisters is remembered with gratitude for helping the parish ascend many steps of growth.

On the occasion of the Platinum Jubilee in 2015, marking eight decades of history, the renovation of the Madbaha (altar), the rebuilding of the shrine, and the conversion of the old church building into a memorial hall were accomplished under the zealous leadership of Rev. Fr. Joseph Kurumbilethu, whom the parish remembers with heartfelt gratitude.

Spiritual Guidance and Community Life

The prayers, encouragement, and support of the hierarchy who loved and served the Church over the years—Archbishop Geevarghese Mar Ivanios, Archbishop Benedict Mar Gregorios, Moran Mor Cyril Baselios Catholicos, and Bishop Lawrence Mar Ephraem—remain permanent monuments in the parish’s growth. Likewise, the selfless service of the reverend vicars and assistant vicars who served during this period has, by God’s grace, brought the parish to its current stature. The present generation remembers with gratitude the prayers, sacrificial commitment, and hardships of their ancestors.

A wide array of pious organizations functions actively in this parish. The parish maintains a prominent presence at the Kerala Catholic Church level, the overall Malankara Church level, as well as at diocesan and district levels. It is comforting to see the youth—the future promise of the Church and nation—serving with love as role models. The parish is also rich in vocations, having gifted eight priests and three religious sisters to the Church, alongside a large group of altar servers who minister at the altar today.

Support from the Diocese and Leadership

Since the formation of the Diocese of Pathanamthitta in 2010, Vakayar Parish has been a center of attention. The parish remembers with gratitude the leadership and prayers of Moran Mor Baselios Cardinal Cleemis Catholicos, Head and Father of the Malankara Catholic Church, as well as the prayers and invaluable encouragement of Most Rev. Samuel Mar Irenios, Bishop of Pathanamthitta, and Most Rev. Yoohanon Mar Chrysostom, the first Bishop of the Diocese.

The New Church and Consecration

The vision for constructing a new church emerged from the constant prayers of Rev. Fr. Varghese Kaithon, who has been serving as the parish vicar for the past six years. The construction of the new church, which began with the laying of the foundation stone on March 26, 2023, was completed swiftly as a fruit of the vicar's prayers and sacrifice. Under Fr. Kaithon’s leadership, the parish also renovated the existing Grotto of Our Lady, the flagpole, the bell tower, and the cemetery, while acquiring an additional 10 cents of land for the parish. By God’s grace, a grand dream of the parish community comes to realization on the 11th of this month.

Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary, St. Thomas the Apostle of India, and St. George the Martyr, let us pray to Almighty God that this church, being consecrated through Mooron, may become a renowned center of pilgrimage.