The stream of Kerala Christianity, pioneered by Apostle Thomas, magnified in strength and modified in diversity down the ages, found its way into a quiet hamlet of Mallappally... where in course of time there arose a worshipping community in the Anglican strain. Nurtured by the culture of Mallappally, and always contributing to the history of Mallappally, it moves on in the grace of God - faithful in its commitment, honest in its convictions, lofty in its concerns, and above all, blessed in its calling. Here's for you, more of our 'Immanuel Story'...


St. Thomas Christians The Geographical area that is now Kerala was never an isolate. Even when St. Thomas reached the shores, the land was already introduced to foreigners through settlements and trade relations. Groups of settlers who reached here in three segments (AD 68, 4th century AD and AD 825) had roots in Jerusalem, Babylon and Persia.
The ministry of St. Thomas must have had easier inroads among the Jewish settlers. The power of Jesus Christ, which destroys the "barriers, the dividing wall of hostility" (Ephesians 2: 14) worked among the Jews and the gentiles. Thus was established a strong church upon firm foundation in this land, blending the native and foreigh cultures, and evolving a strong breed which later came to be known as 'Nasrani Christians' or 'mappilas'.
To read more, please refer: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syrian_Malabar_Nasrani

Portuguese Inroads The arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century, brought in the Catholic strain of Christianity to the land. "The Portuguese considered it their duty to bring these Oriental Christians under the supremacy of the Pope of Rome...." (The Kerala Story: Dr. Zacharias Thundy http://www.shelterbelt.com/KJ/khchristians.html ). The Synod of Diamper (Udayamperoor) in AD 1599 which leaned in favor of Catholisism attracted many; however, at a later point, dissent arose. Those who preferred a return to the home turf emphasised their point symbolically through the Coonan Cross Oath (1653) at Mattancherry, Fort Kochi. Later, twelve priests laid hands on the head of their leader, the archdeacon, who was connected to the Coonan Cross by a rope, and ordained him Bishop. The several thousand other people who were there also took hold of the rope to signify their participation in the Oath. The families/households represented by all these people and others later accepted the Antiochene tradition. They now form the Malankara Jacobite Syrian Church, the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church and the Mar Thoma Church. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coonan_Cross_Oath

The British Presence The feelings of superiority and haughtiness among the European missionaries, and the wayward practices among the religious leadership undermined the moral fiber of the Church. With the British overrule of Travancore, matters changed. The presence and practices of the British Resident (and later Diwan of Travancore) Col. Munro, had an effect of purgation.

Tippu in Malabar Areas of Malabar had a strong Christian presence through immigrant Nasranis, who were merchants, farmers or warriors. But the attacks of Tippu Sultan shattered their strongholds, and many of them were killed, driven to slavery or exiled. Around 30,000 Malabar Christians were brought to Srirangapattanom. Attempts to fight or flee resulted in the death of many. Those who could escape with the help of the British forces later settled in Chenganoor, Paliekkara and Cheppad. As one history records it, a person who thus escaped is the father of Rev. George Matthen.

Christianity reaches Mallappally Amidst struggles and persecutions, the Nasrani flock in Kerala moved far and across, in search of new pastures. Adversities never dampened their faith and commitment. Somewhere between AD 1700 and 1800, one such group reached Mallappally.

Niranam, the Center of Worship The area of Mallappally was part of the Kallooppara 'pakuthi', which was ruled over by the Edappally Thampurans (Lords) of the Elangaloor Swaroopam. For the Christians of these areas, the place of worship was the Niranam Church; however, church going was limited to occasions like baptism, marriage or funeral. Country boats were the mode of transport.

Church in Kallooppara Once, on the occasion of his visit to the Kallooppara Madom, Edappally Thampuran was bathing in the Manimala river; he chanced upon a group on a row boat, taking a dead body for burial at Niranam. Realizing their plight, he sanctioned the establishment of a church in Kallooppara. Thus in Malayalam Era 512, in the month of Karkatakom, was established the Kallooppara Church.

Worship at Mallappally Attempts for a church at Mallappally faced opposition from Adangapurathu Kathangal, the officiating priest at Kallooppara, who feared that this will affect his revenue. However, people with passion and influence moved with determination. Leaders like Pannikuzhi Eapen Tharakan and Modayil Pothen were impacted by the waves of reformation, pioneered by Palakunnathu Abraham Malpan. Missionary movements too were gaining roots in Travancore at this time.

Gaining sanction from the government, a church came to be established on the eastern banks of the Manimala river. Its humble start was on the early hours of 13 July 1834, when Palakunnathu Abraham Malpan dedicated a cross and commenced worship in a temporary shed. This grew up to be the Vengalasserry Church, known otherwise as the Old Syrian Church or 'Thekkepally'.

The Anglican Wave Ministry at the Vengalasserry Church commenced with Areekkathara Mammen Kathanaar as its first priest. Adangapurathu Kathangal continued his hidden moves to bring down the church. However, the priest and prominent laity were determined to stand for the gospel, and oppose any practices that were not Biblical.

Instigated by the Kathangal, a group tried to disrupt the divine service on a Sunday. Mammen Kathanaar was forced out of the church. This incident pained a group, who felt that they should sever ties with that church. Their evangelical convictions too prompted them to separate. Though not equal in intensity, this move is sometimes refered to as the "second schism" after the Coonan Cross incident.

Around this time, Christianity in Kerala was etching a new chapter for itself. Missionaries of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) had been involved in the development and spiritual uplift of the Syrian churches in Travancore right from the start of the 19th century. However, this partnership did not progress with time. The Jacobite Church, in a Synod in Mavelikara (16 Jan 1836), decided to break off all ties with the CMS.

It is no coincidence but an action of God that the Mavelikara Synod and the 'Mallappally Schism' were chronological parallels. The split encouraged leaders of the broken-off group at Mallappally to visit the CMS missionaries at Kottayam, and request pastoral care. In the backdrop of the severed relations with the Jacobite Church, the CMS Corresponding Committee at Madras gave sanction to the Kottayam missionaries for establishing a church in Mallappally. Thus, in the land donated by Pannikuzhi Eapen Tharakan, the first Anglican Church in Travancore had its foundation stone laid by missionaries Rev. Joseph Peet, Rev. Benjamin Bailey, Rev. Henry Baker (Sr.) and Rev. Wookcock. The historic moment was around 10 am of Wednesday, 9 March 1836.

Ministry commenced from within a shed made of twigs and grass. Rev. Areekkathara Mammen was the vicar. The need for a permanent structure was pressing, and efforts were taken to raise funds. A 6 foot high chancel, and a 3 foot high nave were erected. This church was dedicated on 27 September 1842. This transition, from a makeshift shed to a solid structure, also marks the inauguration of the first Anglican church in the soil of Travancore.

Holy Immanuel Church Gradual damage of the church building due to rains and seasons of flood culminated in the collapse of the facade. This prompted the consideration to have a new and spacious building, to meet the demands of the growing congregation. Thus, when Rev. W. O Oommen assumed charge in July 1916, this came to be among matters of serious consideration.

Financial struggles, and the need to raise funds without any support from the CMS, never dampened the spirits of our forefathers. Hard struggles for every single paise, the offer to do as much voluntary work as possible, fund raising efforts of the Women's Fellowship, freewill gifts from benefactors -- manifold were the ways and blessings of God, which reached fruition on 27 September 1932, when Rt. Rev. E A L Moore, the Lord Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Cochin and Travancore, dedicated the new temple of God, which was to be known hereafter as the ...
Holy Immanuel Church!