Churches, Demography

Sixteenth Century Churches – Churches belonging to Catholics and Syriac Orthodox ( 1818 AD-Statistics)

Authored by NSC- Admin on Monday, August 24, 2009 22:06 - 29 Comments

 Sixteenth Century Churches – Churches belonging to Catholics and Syriac Orthodox ( 1818 AD Statistics) Many lists exist about the statistics of Churches belonging to Catholics ( Syro Malabar Church) and Malankara Syriac Orthodox after the division of the Saint Thomas Christians community followed with the Syond of Diamper ( 1599 AD) , Coonan Cross Oath ( 1653 AD) and subsequent happenings ( 1653-1698). 1

This is one of those lists about the Sixteenth Century Churches from a compilation done by K J Joisea in “ Socio Cultural life of Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala in the Medieval period”. K J Joisea’s compilation is based on the catalogue of the churches of Christians of St Thomas of Malabar from the Synodical Acts at Diamper (1599 AD) as given by Thomas Yeates in his “ Indian Church History” published in 1818 AD, London.

According to this estimate there were 106 Saint Thomas Christian Churches, 9 oratories and one congregation, all together 117. In early nineteenth century ( 1818 AD), 71 Churches and 9 Oratories belong to Catholics ( Syro Malabar Church). 28 Churches belong to Malankara Syriac Orthodox . 7 Churches were shared by both Catholics ( Syro Malabar Church) and Malankara Syriac Orthodox.

List of Sixteenth Century Churches

These are the Churches in alphabetical order and the denomination which it was under in early nineteenth century. Please note that before 1818 AD, there was only one division in Malankara Syriac Orthodox leading to the formation of Thozhiyur Church which had negligible strength in this comparison.2

1. Under Catholics ( Syro Malabar Church)

Total Number of Churches -71 Churches and 9 Oratories

Aalapuzha (Alleppy), a church (Catholic)
Aanacallunghel (Bharnanganam ?) – a church (Catholic)
Aaragoshe (Arakuzha) – a church (Catholic)
Adirampushe (Adirampuzha) – a church (Catholic)
Alangatta or Mangatta (Alangad) – a church and two oratories (Catholic)
Ambalacatta (Ambazhakad) – a church and an oratory (Catholic)
Angamala (Angamali) – two churches (Catholic)
Badagore (?) – a church (Catholic)
Badeate (Vadayar ?) – a church (Catholic)
Beleanate (Veliyanad) – a church (Catholic)
Cadanatte (?) – a church (Catholic)
Cailacudi (Chalakudy) – a church (Catholic)
Callurcatta (Champakulam ?) – a church (Catholic)
Calnada (Kalnada?) – a church (Catholic)
Calparamba (Kalparambu) – a church (Catholic)
Cangnarpalli (Kanjirapilly?) – a church (Catholic)
Canhur (Kanjur) – a church (Catholic)
Cembi (Vaikkom ?) – a church (Catholic)
Cenotta (Chenamangalam ?) – a church (Catholic)
Cerphungal (Cherpungat) – a church (Catholic)
Cianganaceri (Changanacherry) – a church and an oratory (Catholic)
Clovare (Chowra ?) – a church (Catholic)
Codalur (?) – a church (Catholic)
Codamalur (Kudamaloor) – a church (Catholic)
Corolongatta (Kuruvilangad) – a church and an oratory (Catholic)
Corretti (Koratti) – a church (Catholic)
Cottamattil (?) – a church (Catholic)
Cottapadi (Kottapidi) – a church (Catholic)
Cottota (Kottekad ?) – a church (Catholic)
Cuingatta (Chungam ?) – a church (Catholic)
Edapuli or Rapolim (Edappilly) – two churches (Catholic)
Elanguil (Elamkulam ?) – a church (Catholic)
Elur – two churches and an oratory (Catholic)
Enamaca (Enamavu) – a church (Catholic)
Ernaculata or Angicaimal (Ernakulam) – a church (Catholic)
Iratusha (Erattupuzha) – a church (Catholic)
Mailacomba (Mylikombu) – a church (Catholic)
Maleatur (Malayattur) – a church and an oratory (Catholic)
Manhapra (Manjapra) – a church (Catholic)
Mattatil (Mattom) – a church (Catholic)
Mushcolam (Muzhikulam) – a church (Catholic)
Muttam – a church (Catholic)
Muttiera (Muttuchira) – a church and an oratory (Catholic)
Nagapusha (Nagapuzha) – a church (Catholic)
Nediale (?) – a church (Catholic)
Nharica (Nharakkal) – a church (Catholic)
Odiamper (Udiamperur – Diamper) – a church (Catholic)
Paincollata (Pamkulam ?) – a church (Catholic)
Palaya (Palai) – a church and Syro-Chaldean Seminary (Catholic)
Palicara (Parappukara?) – a church (Catholic)
Pallipuram – a church(Catholic)
Palur (Palayur) – a church (Catholic)
Palurti (Pallurti) – a church (Catholic)
Parapuranngri (Parapur) – a church (Catholic)
Pashur (Pazhuvil) – a church (Catholic)
Perumettam (Perumattom) – a church (Catholic)
Poracada (Purakkad) – a church (Catholic)
Pudupulla (Pudupalli ?) – a church (Catholic)
Pullingune (Pulinkunnu) – a church and an oratory (Catholic)
Punhada (?) – a church (Catholic)
Ptinnatna (Punnathara?) – a church (Catholic)
Punencera (Puthenchira) – a church (Catholic)
Puttenpali (Puthenpalli) – a church (Catholic)
Ramaratta (Ramapuram ?) – a church (Catholic)
Totampali (Totapilli ?) – a church (Catholic)
Vaypur (Kaduthuruthi ?) – a church (Catholic)
Vecuir (Vechur?) – a church (Catholic)
Verapoly – a church (Catholic)

2. Under Malankara Syriac Orthodox

Total Number of Churches-28 Churches

Agarnparambil (Agaparambu) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Angamala (Angamali) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Bemanil (?) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Cadamattom (Kadamattom) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Cadambara (?) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Caddenata (Kandanad ?) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Callucera (?) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Callupara (Kallupara) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Cartyapalli (kartnikapalli ?) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Catare (Chathannur ?) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Cayamcollam (kayamkulam) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Cenganur (Chengannur) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Collam (Quilon) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Collencera (Kollenchira ?) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Condur (Kundra ?) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Coshenceri (Kozhencheri) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Mamalaceri (Mamalassery) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Manargada (Mannarkadu ?) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Mode lacodam (Mudalakudam) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Molanturuti (Mulanthuruthy) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Neranatta (Niranam) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Omelur (Omellur ?) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Pallicare (Pahakara) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Puthencava (Puthenkavu) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
TekencoLlomgere (Tekenkulangara ?) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Tevelacera (Thevalakara) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Tiruvancoda (Tiruvamcode) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
Tumbonur (Thumpamon ?) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)

3. Shared Churches by both Catholics & Syriac Orthodox

Total Number of Churches-7 Churches Congregation- 1 (?)

Caringcera (Karingchira) – a church (Partly Catholic & Partly Syriac Orthodox- Shared)
Codamangalam (Kothamangalarn) – a church (Partly Catholic & Partly Syriac Orthodox- Shared)
Curupenpadi (Kurupenpadi) – a church (Partly Catholic & Partly Syriac Orthodox- Shared)
Mavalicare (Mavelikera) – a congregation (?)
Nharamel (?) – a church (Partly Catholic & Partly Syriac Orthodox- Shared)
Parrota (Piravam ?) – a church (Partly Catholic & Partly Syriac Orthodox- Shared)
Parur (Parur) – a church (Partly Catholic & Partly Syriac Orthodox- Shared)
Telcenparur – a church (Partly Catholic & Partly Syriac Orthodox- Shared)

_________________________________________________________________

Source- K J Joisea, “ Socio Cultural life of Saint Thomas Christians of Kerala in the Medieval period”. Based on Thomas Yeates , “ Indian Church History” published in 1818 AD, London.

__________________________________________________________________

  1. Some of these lists are included in “Population Statistics and Demography of Saint Thomas Christians, Churches with historical references” article []
  2. Thozhiyur Church did not seem to get possession of any sixteenth century Church. []

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29 Responses

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Sujith Philipose INDIA
Aug 29, 2009 9:48


Post : 18274

Interesting listing. Was trying to segregate the list myself all this time…been to many of these. I didn’t know such a stat already existed. Thanks.

Albin mj INDIA
Sep 8, 2009 12:47


Post : 18438

Mode lacodam (Mudalakudam) – a church (Syriac Orthodox)
it is not correct ,the church in muthalakodam is a catholic church under diocese of Kothamangalam,This place is just 3 km east of Thodupuzha.

tk INDIA
Sep 28, 2009 23:47


Post : 18807

Pallicare is probably Palliakkara church near tiruvalla?

Tony Augustine INDIA
Sep 29, 2009 9:50


Post : 18815

I Think Iratusha (Erattupuzha) is the Aruvithura Church which is situated at Erattupetta.. Earlier Name of Aruvuthura Church was Irapoly or Iratusha something like that.
Aanacallunghel (Bharnanganam ?) Anakallungal Church is Bharananganam church it self.

Tony

Avirachan INDIA
Oct 23, 2009 20:23


Post : 19224

nediel – nediyasala
Badagore – Vadakode(vazhakulam near to)
Cadanatte – Kadanad ,near kollapally,pala
Callurcatta-church in kuttanad or kalloorkad ,vazhakulam??

Ancil G Abraham INDIA
Feb 12, 2011 12:36


Post : 28320

pls try to include the pictures of these churches as much as possible…

JFK UNITED STATES
Mar 26, 2011 9:20


Post : 30686

Totampali (Totapilli ?) – a church (Catholic)

This is probably Thathampally church in Alleppey

Prof. Elias Pothan Anjilimoottil POLAND
Mar 31, 2011 17:00


Post : 30879

Yes. I agree with JFK. Thathampally is an ancient Syro-Malabar church near Alleppey.

Kurian INDIA
Mar 31, 2011 17:09


Post : 30880

Cadanatte – Kadanad ,near kollapally,pala
…..

mst probably it is kandanad church near mulanthururthy,

Johncy Panicker INDIA
Apr 1, 2011 10:20


Post : 30913

Arakuzha church is now under syro malabar only…but it was shared by both malankara orthodox and catholics till the last of 18th century…The arakuzha church was built in AD 999(AD 1000).. After the seperation of syro malabar from malankara church, both the parties ( malankara orthodox and syrian catholics) used to do their worships in the same church for arround 150-170 years… That means it took arround 2 centuries to decide on which church should go for which party.. The same thing happened in almost all the encient churches of kerala…So I think it is very difficult to decide which church was doing worships in a shared manner and which are not at that time only by seeing the current status..

Jose Palamattam INDIA
Jan 4, 2012 22:32


Post : 95410

Very interesting and fantastic and please note the established year of the churches for further studies.

Jose Palamattam INDIA
Jan 4, 2012 22:38


Post : 95414

Yes, I agree Calparamba (Kalparambu) – a church (Catholic) is ancient church in Thrissur Dist

George Mathew UNITED STATES
Oct 22, 2012 0:55


Post : 234467

Confused with Vaypur (Kaduthuruthi ?) – a church (Catholic).

Vaipur is located in the banks of River Manimala, in Pathanamthitta District, Kerala. St. Mary’s Church, Vaipur was established in AD 1212, according to the records of Changanacherry Archdiocese.

Same time, Kaduthuruthy Valiya Palli (കടുത്തുരുത്തി വലിയ പളളി) / Ave Maria (ആവേ മരിയ) of Knanaya Community was established in AD 400.

Can anyone share their thoughts?

George Kalli illath INDIA
Oct 23, 2012 22:48


Post : 236648

Knanaya Community came to Kerala during the Cheraman Perumal regime and hence does not have any church built in the first Millenium.

George Kalli illath INDIA
Oct 23, 2012 23:01


Post : 236656

Cadanbara is the Kadambanad orthodox Church and Palicara is the Paliekara Orthodox Church

Manu INDIA
Oct 25, 2012 10:51


Post : 238835

George Kalliillath,

Pallicara is not Paliekara as u said.. Its Pallikkara itself.. Its located near Kolenchery in Ernakulam District.. The church is very old and believed to be built more than a 1000 years before.. The parish presently consists of more than 1200 families and now a Cathedral..

Geeorge Kalli illath INDIA
Oct 26, 2012 10:42


Post : 240683

Sir,
Hope you are mistaken. Pallicare listed in the Orthodox list is definitely thr St.George Orthodox Church, Thiruvalla,(paliekara palli). This was a Temple built by the Hindus who joined the Reformed Brahmins of first Century. They also called themselves “Total Brahnins” as they had found the answer to “Thamaso Ma Jyothirgamaya,Asatho Ma Sath gamaya, Mrithyor Ma Amritham Gamaya” in Jesus Christ. “.
The land Parallel to Ancient Sreee Vallabha Temple on the opposite shore of a rivulet was granted to
Moopar Madom by the then rulers. Moopar Madam was the descendants of Sankaramangalam(Nicknamed Kalli illam as they were connected with the temple of Kalli Bhagawathi)’.
This was later Built as a church in the 5th centur,in the blessed name of the Holy Theotokas.,
The church was burnt down by religious fanatics and was rebuilt by the local Hindus and christians together.
On rebuilding ,the church was dedicated in the name of St.George as they believed that St.George would protect the church from further untoward incidents.
This ancient Church is still there in the Centre of Tiruvalla Town.
Also the names of the churches adjacent in the list are Omallur,Puthencavu,Niranam etc,.and they are also located in the same district.
The Bemanil church mentioned in the list can be Venmony church of the same area.????

Manu INDIA
Oct 27, 2012 10:12


Post : 242732

SIr,

THanx for the information.. But sir, how can u finalise it as Paliakara in Pattanamtitta District and not Pallikkara in Ernakulam District.. Any infos on the same in Thomas Yeates ‘Indian Church History’… More over the neighboring churches of Kolenchery, Kadamattom, Kandanad, Mulanthuruthy, Angamaly etc.. are also in the list…

M Thomas Antony UNITED KINGDOM
Oct 27, 2012 15:26


Post : 243224

Thomas Whitehouse, in his book ‘Lingerings of Light in a dark land- bring researches into the past history and present conditions of the Syrian church of Malabar’(1873), has catalogued different churches according to the local kingdoms compiling their affiliations, different names etc according to different authors. This can be seen in the NSC article-
http://nasrani.net/2009/09/13/catalogue-of-ancient-nasrani-churches-their-affiliations-and-population-statistics-in-the-background-of-division-and-attempts-of-reconciliation/#identifier_20_793.

According to this catalogue, in the Kingdom of Cochin, a Church in the name of Saint Mary has been described at Pallicare ( Raulini 1745),Pallikare(Du Perron 1768), Pallicare(Paolinus 1760), Pallikkara (Whitehouse 1873).

From this, it seems that this Pallicare could be Pallikkara in Ernakulam District, not Paliakkara in Tiruvalla.

K J Joisea in his Doctoral Thesis, ‘Socio Cultural life of Thomas Christians of Kerala in the Mideaval period’, submitted to the University of Mysore, produced a list based on the list seen in Thomas Yates’ book Indian Church History(1818) in which two places are described- Palicara and Pallicare. Josisea interprets as Palicare as Parappukkara as a Catholic Church and Pallicare as Paliakkara, a Jacobite Church.

But in Thomas Yates’ book, we can see in his list as per the acts of Synod of Diamper, Palicare church but no clues about the locality. In another list of Jacobite Churches, he identifies Pallicare as a Jacobite Church. (The term Jacobite is definitely not from the time of Synod of Diamper. So, this list may be compiled by himself or from some other authors)

I am surprised to see that Paliakkara Church is quite old and still not in the list of churches visited by Arch Bishop Menesis, even when Gouvea describes him staying in Niranom and Chengannur for many days teaching people and correcting things. Was Palliakkara Church in Tiruvalla known in any other names in the past ?

All of these authors are Europeans and they have made this list with the help of some local helpers and pronounced in different ways. So, it is difficult to identify and validate, even though Thomas Whitehouse catalogued the list according to the local Kingdoms.

George Kalli illath INDIA
Oct 28, 2012 15:16


Post : 244722

Dear Manu,
Please see that there are two similar churches. 1. Palicara in the Catholic List and 2. Pallicare in the Syriac Orthodox list. . The church in the Syriac Orthodox list is definitely Paliekkara Palli. You can visit the Paliekkara pally which is still maintained in its ancient form when at Tiruvalla. Syriac Orthodox Church has no other church that resemble the name and criteria..
ANY HOW IT IS IMPORTANT TO BEAR IN MIND THAT THERE EXISTED NO SYRIAC ORTHODOX OR SYRO MALABAR BEFORE 16TH CENTURY IN OUR LAND . ALL THE CHURCHES BELONGED TO MALANKARA NAZARANIS RULED BY THE ARKADIYOKAN .

Jessop CANADA
Oct 29, 2012 23:24


Post : 247283

Hello,
Gone through the list.
Badagore- is Vadakara church near Koothattukulam- Syriac Orthodox
Cottappadi- Kottappadi Church near Kothamangalam – Syriac Orthodox
Cadambara- Kadambanad church in Ernakulam district- Syriac Orthodox
Collencera- Kolencherry church in Ernakulam district- Syriac Orthodox
Modelacodam- Mudalakkodam church near Thodupuzha – Syro Malabar
Palayur – Chattukulangara/ Kunnamkulam church – Syriac Orthodox- Remember Chattukulangara church is the ancient church in that region attacked by Tippu Sultan .There is no record of Tippu attacking any other church in that region. Meneziz visited this church to make them to Roman Catholic fold but failed. There are no chances that this church will be omitted in the listing. The present day Palayur church was a kurisupalli of Chattakkulanga palli. My view is based on the visit of these churches. I think people can do more reserach on this subject.

Jessop CANADA
Oct 30, 2012 1:33


Post : 247463

Hi,
Totampali church is Thathampalli church near Kaduthuruthy / Vaikom in Kottayam District- Syro Malabar

Jessop CANADA
Oct 30, 2012 3:15


Post : 247566

Hi
Callurcatta church- Kalloorkkad Church , Ernakulam Dt- Syro Malabar
Codalur – Kothanalloor church -SyroMalabar
Cottamattil – Kothamangalam palli- -Syriac orthodox
Manargada – Manarkadu palli Kottayam- Syriac Orthodox
*******Thathampally church is in Alappuzha Dt.

Jessop CANADA
Oct 30, 2012 6:26


Post : 247748

Hello
Nharamel – Nadamel Church near Thripunithura- Syriac Orthodox

M Thomas Antony UNITED KINGDOM
Oct 30, 2012 17:54


Post : 248298

Re Palayur and Chattukulangara, both are listed by authors like Roulini 1745, Du Perron 1758, Paolinus 1760, and Whitehouse. Please see the catalogue compiled by Thomas Whitehouse in the article http://nasrani.net/2009/09/13/catalogue-of-ancient-nasrani-churches-their-affiliations-and-population-statistics-in-the-background-of-division-and-attempts-of-reconciliation/

In 1566-68 period, Mar Abdisho appointed Archdeacon Giwargis d Mshiha as the Bishop of Palur and the suffragan and successor of Mar Abraham. Pope Gregory XIII confirmed this by his brief ‘Accepimus quod’ issued on 04/03/1580. So, Palur was also a very important place in the past, much earlier than Menesis’s times. Yes, one can argue that this Palur is Chattukulangara.

Callurcada is Kalloorkkadu Church in Champakulam, not the one in Ernaculam district. See Whitehouse’s list according to the Kingdom- Calloorkkadu is in Porca- Chempakasseerry (Ambalapuzha) Kingdom)

Nharamel is Tripunithura. (Whitehouse’s list confirm this)

Codalur may be Koodalloor in Kottayam Distriact. Kothanalloor is listed in Whitehouse’s cataloge as Codamalour etc with name SS Gervasis Protais. I think Whitehouse is a bit confused as Kudamalur is also nearby. Whitehouse himself listed Kudamalur in Porca- Chempkasserry Kingdom.

Bibin Mathew INDIA
Mar 22, 2013 13:12


Post : 423323

Where is Cheppad church in this list ??? Why it is not listed as this church having the tradition of 500- 600 years ….??

jacob INDIA
Apr 13, 2013 18:41


Post : 431714

cheppad church will be demolished if nh 47 is 4 lined under B.O.T norms

jacob INDIA
Apr 27, 2013 14:55


Post : 436208

‘Cangnarpalli’ is definitely Kanjirapally. The “Kanjirapally Pazhayapally” belonging to the Syro Malabar Catholic Church was consecrated in the year 1449. Though the First Christian colonization of Kanjirapally took place in the 1300s, it took more than a century to build a Church there. The Nasrani community here originally belongs to the Nilackal Saint Thomas Christian fold.

In the early period after the migration from Nilackal, the Kanjirapally Syrians depended on the Aruvithura Church (Erattupettah) which was about 8 miles north of Kanjirapally. And therefore, Kanjirapally church, along with Palai and Bharananganam, is considered to be a daughter church of Aruvithura, which is the oldest daughter church of Nilackal.

During the Puthencoor – Pazhayacoor schism of 1660s, since the church at Kuravilangadu was the champion of the Catholic faith in the Kerala Syrian Church, most of the Syrian churches in and around Kottayam district got influenced by it, and thus chose to remain Catholic. In the list of those churches that submitted to Kuravilangadu, the most prominent was the Aruvithura church – the mother church of literally all the churches in Meenachil and Kanjirapally Taluks.

George Kalli illath INDIA
May 17, 2013 19:55


Post : 443283

Callucera is the ancient Kallissery palli were many events related to Malankara Nazranis occurred.

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