Keezhvaipur, Pannavely, Nedungadapally, Kaviyoor, Thuruthicadu etc were outstations of the parish in the past. Now Devankara is the only outstation

Devankara

A study school was started at Devankara more than 80 years ago. The present building was erected in 1939 when Mr.W.C.Koshy was the catechist. Mr. C.C.Chacko, Muthuthottathu, gave Land. There are 22 families. The catechist Mr. Joseph Varghese…looks after the affairs of the outstation.


Pariyaram chapel

In 1890 a primary school was started at Pariyaram. Chettettu family donated the land. Later the school became defeat. Rev.K.M.Mathen started worship in the school building. C.M.Mathen asan was the 1st catechist. The building is still in use as a worship center and for study school classes. Messer’s C.J.Varghese and John Mathew conduct worship services. And Holy Communion is celebrated on 4 th Sunday


Kottankudy chapel

Parishioners began to settle down at Kottankudy 100 years ago. For all religious functions they had to walk a long distance to Mallappally church.
In 1991 land was purchased for the construction of a chapel and work started. When Rev. Dr.K.T.Kurien was the vicar the work was completed Rt.Rev.Sam Mathew dedicated the chapel for His worship. It is now used as a worship centre, for Sunday school classes and for fellowship meetings.Mr.KC Chacko leads the services.

We remember with pride that a sunday school was started for the first time in Kerala at Mallappally in our parish. It had its informal beginning in 1836 itself when the parish came into existence. It was formally organized when Archdeacon Oommen Mammen was the vicar of the parish.

At present there are Sunday school at Devankara, Kottankudy, Cheruthodu, I K M School and Pariyaram.In all there are more than 200 students and 50 teachers.

Cheruthodu Sunday school was started in 1939. We remember Messer’s Kochootty sir, Valyachayan, M.K.Eapen, M.M.Samuel, and K.M.Abraham etc, who were the pioneers, with gratitude. Now Mr.P.J.Koshy is the Headmaster. There are 85 students and 13 teachers.

Pariyaram Sunday school was started in 1953. Mr. C.J.Varghese is now the Headmaster. There are four teachers.
IKM Sunday School Mrs. Mary kutty Ninan is the Headmaster and In Devankara Mr. Varghese K Chacko and Kottankudy Mr. CV Ninan are serving as HMs

The activities at Ebenezer Prayer Hall, Cherthodu are part and parcel of the Church. It has also helped to sustain the ecumenical fervour of the area. Cherthodu Sunday School classes are held in the prayer hall. It is also used for fellowship meetings and conventions. Every Tuesday there is a fellowship meeting in this hall. It gives spiritual succor to many in the area irrespective of denominations. It has remained as a center of spiritual revival.

The parish is divided in to 13 prayer groups. Each group has a prayer meeting once every week. Each group has a leader. Area prayer is conducted on different days of the week. The vicar participates in as many meetings as possible.

These meetings are the power house of the parish. People come together, sing songs, have intercessions, and listen to a short message by the vicar or the leader. These meetings nourish the spiritual growth of the parish.

The beginning of the Laity Fellowship was as a fellowship of the government servants. Our member Sri.C.John Mathew was instrumental in starting it. Rt.Rev.M.C.Mani who was the Diocesan Council clergy secretary caught the idea and called a retreat for government servants at Buchanan school. In 1978 the professional fellowship was organized. Later it was transformed in to Laity Fellowship. The aim of the organization is that all lay members of the church should accept and declare that Jesus is our Lord and saviour.

In 1900 when Rev.K.P.Varkey was the parish priest, a few people came together and helped atchan by singing songs during services. When the new church was dedicated in 1932, a choir was also organized with twelve members. Surplice was used for the first time and a baby organ was purchased. Mr.W.C.Cherian was the Choirmaster. By 1945 increased to 24. Cassock and surplice were used. From 1947 onwards Messer’s E.V.Chacko and E.V.Eapen were leaders.

The Choristers Association was organized in 1952. Mr.M.V.Idicula became the Choir leader and our choir became a member of the Association. A choir festival was conducted. Messer’s George.M.Koshy, Thomas Thomas and Mani.K.Mani from the Cathedral Choir helped to modernize the choir.

In the sixties Mr. Alex Cherian helped as choirmaster. Four parts harmony was introduced. Messer’s E.V.John and P.I.Abraham were permanent singers.

Our carol service is perhaps the most famous one Mallappally Dt. It is look forward to by music lovers all over the district.

Our choir has also become the part of the Union Christian Convention “Onavaravela”. Diadem-60 a souvenir was published in 1993. Cassettes “Ganopaharam” and “Ganamalyam”-were produced; “Aradhanageethangal” published; endowments (in the Hospital and School) were established.

At present Mr. Sam Varghese is the choirmaster and Mr. Kurien Ninan the organist.

We cannot but mention the service of Cherian ‘chettan’ Kunnathra who served the choir for many years. Perhaps he is the one who served the choir for the longest period. May God increase his tribe.

Women joined together for separate meetings from the very beginning of the parish in 1834. Formal beginning was in 1906 when Mother’s Union was formed. Wives of missionaries instructed women and they became firm believers.

At the time of Rev. K.O.Philip when the church building was being a constructed woman looks an active part in collecting funds. They went to Alappuzha, Pallom, mendakayor.., Kollam etc for collecting funds. They visited mission fields like Vaikom, Karappuram etc to help in the mission work. They rendered…service in the time of floods at the outbreak of epidemics etc at different places.

Regular meetings of the Women Fellowship are held in the church. The Fellowship raises funds by conducting lamest festival KOZHIPERUNNAL(Cock fest), VANCHIKA (box) collection etc. The organization has given large amounts to G M M Hospital for various purposes.

Mrs. Achamma Thomas Paikad and Mrs. Annamma Itty are serving as Prsident and Secretary.

In 1916 the Youth conference of the Travancore, Cochin Anglican Diocese was started. It is the precursor of the Youth movement in our Diocese. It was an annual meeting for the youth to come together and express their views. Later when the youth league of the Diocese was formed our member, Mr.P.I.Samuel (later Rev. P.I.Samuel) became its first secretary and a unit was formed in our parish too. Over the year it has organized various programmes like medical camps, literature camps, conferences, Bible-study meetings, completions, festivals etc. It has acted as a corrective force at the parish and Dioceses level.

The Youth movement has a great role in developing future leaders of the church. The members are actively participating in the Sunday service and special occasions. October first Sunday is observed as youth Sunday

Mr. Ninan Thomas and Mr. John Koshy are serving as vice president and Secretary respectively