FIRST CHURCH IN INDIA

FIRST CHURCH IN INDIA

St Thomas is an important Christian pilgrimage in Kerala. The church is named after St. Thomas, the apostle who is believed to have spread the teachings of Christianity in South India. It is among the old churches in India and dates back to 52 AD. It is also believed that church was built by St. Thomas himself, thus it has been declared as an international pilgrimage spot by the Vatican. Since it is on the hill top, climbing the hill, it offers a great experience to the worshipers to get to the church and pray.

In 52 A.D. Thomas Didaemus, one of the 12 apostles of Jesus Christ is believed to have landed at Musiris (Cranganore) in Kerala. He made his first converts both Jews and Hindus at Palayur a town now in Trichur district, Kerala. There he built a small church with an altar, which he consecrated.

This is supposed to be the oldest church in India.

St. Thomas later moved to the east coast. and settled in Madras (now Chennai) in 64 A.D. after having travelled all the way to China. Back in Chennai, the apostle is said to have stayed at what was then a village where the present zone of Mylapore is located.

In 72 A.D., St. Thomas fell foul with the authorities. He sought refuge in a nearby hill but was killed. This hill, where he died, has since become St. Thomas Mount.

The Palayur church still stands at the same site and is the oldest church in India. In the 17th century Reverend Fenichi enclosed the original church with a new outer building, as the wooden walls of the old church were destroyed with time. But the original altar consecrated by St. Thomas still remains at this site.

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