Churches

Vimalagiri Church
Also known as Angathattu Palli, situated near Kottayam railway station is the Cathedral of the Diocese of Vijayapuram. Built in the Gothic architectural style, the church has a 172 ft. tower which is one of the tallest church towers in Kerala. The foundation stone of the church was laid in 1956 and the construction was completed in 1964. The main feast of the church is celebrated in the month of December.

Good Shepherd Church
Good Shepherd Church, the first church of the Diocese of Vijayapuram, is situated behind the civil station, at a distance of 2kms from Kottayam. It was constructed in the Italian style in1882 and was renovated in 1964. Annually two feasts are held here. One is the feast of St. Sebastian on 20th January and the other that of Good Shepherd in the month of April.

Holy Virgin Mary Church (Valiyapally), Thazhathangadi
Valiyapally, belongs to the Knanaya Orthodox Syrian Community, is located at Thazhathangadi , 4 km northwest of the Kottayam. Built in the year 1550 AD, it is one of the largest churches in Kottayam dedicated to St. Mary . The church is famous for its two granite 8th-century Persian crosses with Pahlavi (official language of Sassanian dynasty in Persia) inscriptions. The cross on the Southern Altar is similar to the one at St. Thomas Mount, Mylapore, Madras.

Cheriyapally , Thazhathangadi
Cheriyapally, one of the oldest churches in Kerala located close to Valiyapally, was built and consecrated by Portuguese in 1579. Cheriyapally which literally means small church is in fact much bigger than Valiyapally (big church) . Devoted to Mother Mary, the church was built in European style of architectural with galleries, pillars, cornices and pediments. The structure of the church is a combination Christian and the Hindu architectural design. The walls are adorned with beautiful murals made in oriented and western styles and the ceilings have exquisite vegetable dye paintings depicting biblical and non-biblical themes.

St. Mary's Church, Kudamaloor
Kudamaloor church, a famous Marian pilgrim center, is one of the ancient churches of the Syro-Malabar Rite located about 7 kms north of Kottayam. This 800 years old church was believed to be built by Chempakasseri Maharajah. The main offering here is a traditional water bag and rope which is used to take water from the well.
Contact : 
St.Mary's Church
Kudamaloor - Post, Kottayam - 686 017
Phone : 0481-2597434

St. George Orthodox Church, Puthupally
Popularly known as Puthupally Pally, St George Orthodox Church, is one of the oldest and renowned Malankara Orthodox Church, located about 8 kms from Kottayam. The present church was consecrated about 400 years ago by the Malankara Metropolitan Mar Dianasiyous. The main altar adorned with beautiful wall paintings and ornamental decorations is in the name of St George. The Church is famous for the powerful intercession of the patron saint, St.George and a unique cross made of gold, weighing around 450 sovereigns. The annual feast named as Puthuppally Perunnal which is celebrated on 7th or 8th of May, is attended by thousands of devotees of various religions. The main offering of the feast is 'Kozhi nercha' (offering of fowls). The golden cross is taken out only during the festive days and placed in the main altar for veneration by the devotees.  
Contact : 
St. George’s Orthodox Church (Valiyapally)
Puthuppally P O, Kottayam- 686 011
Phone : 0481-2352404
Mass Timings 
Sundays : 6.30am, 9am
Saturdays : 8.30 am 
Weekdays : 8 am

St. Mary's Cathedral, Manarcad
The internationally renowned St. Mary's Cathedral alias Marthamariam Cathedral, is located 9 Km East of Kottayam town. The church is believed to be 1000 years old.  An ancient practice of 'Ettunombu' i.e. 8 day fast and the Feast of Virgin Mary's Birth are celebrated between September 1st and 8th of every year at the church. On the 7th day, after mid day prayer, the picture of Virgin Mary placed above the altar, is unveiled to the devotees. It is called 'nata thurakkal' and thousands of devotees from the far and near reach the Manarcad Church to seek the blessings of Virgin Mary. The Church has a sacred tank and a cross. The Church has many educational institutions, religious and social service institutions under its auspices and a most modern hospital under its sponsorship.

Contact : 
Trustee, St.Mary's Jacobite Syrian Cathedral
Manarcad.P.O, Kottayam
Phone : 91+481 2372700, 2370470, 2370750
E-mail : Contact Now

St. Mary's Forane Church, Athirampuzha
St. Mary's Forane Church also known as Valiapally, situated10 kms north of Kottayam town in Athirampuzha near Ettumanur, is an ancient church under Changanaserry diocese. Dated back to 835 A.D, the church was renovated several times and the present structure was constructed during the year 1962. The church was given the status of Forane in 1929. Built in western architectural style, it is 180 feet tall and 55 feet wide and the bell tower measures a height of 85 feet. The three bells hanging here was brought from Germany in the year 1905. The altar of the church in Portuguese style with engraved wood is an equisetic example of artistic talent. There is a big cross in front of the church which was built from a mono block of stone.

Though the church is dedicated to Mother Mary, an annual feast is celebrated in honour of St. Sebastian in the month of January. The feast, known as 'Athirampuzha Nercha' that lasts for 8 days attracts a large crowd and is a big event with fireworks and illuminations. The statue of the Saint was brought by the Portuguese along with two other statues and is a unique one without arrows being stuck on it.

There is a 'Cheriapally' situated 200 meters away from the Valiapally. Built in the gothic style it is known for its architectural splendour. This church, which was consecrated in 1919, is now known in the name of St.Sebastian.
Contact : 
St. Mary's Forane Church
PB No.1, Athirampuzha , Kottayam-686 562
Phone : 0481-2535559, 2530742

St. George Jacobite Syrian Church, Kallumkathra
Located in the village of Pulikkuttissery in Aymanam Panchayath, about 10 Km west of Kottayam, St. George Jacobite Syrian Church is one of the oldest churches in the Kottayam diocese. Established in 1817, the church itself is bounded by a canal. The church celebrates the memories of all Saints but the most prominent of these celebrations is the St.George Feast on May 7th. 
Contact : 
Kallumkathra St. George Jacobite Syrian Church
Pulikuttissery P.O, Aymanam, Kottayam - 686 015
Phone: +91 - 481 2518259; E-mail : Contact Now

St. Joseph's Monastery Church, Mannanam
St. Joseph's Monastery Church at Mannanam, 15 kms from Kottayam is a prominent Christian pilgrim center. The church was built by the blessed Father Kuriakose Elias of Chavara, who is among the most saintly figures in the annals of Syrian Catholic Church history. The mortal remains of this saintly priest is preserved here. Thousands of devotees gather here to pay homage to the saint every Saturday. The altar of the church is painted with gold filigree work. Every year on 3rd January , the feast of Blessed Chavara is celebrated with great devotion and solemnity.
Contact : 
St. Joseph's Monastery Church
Mannanam, Kottayam -686 561
Phone : 0481-2597237,2598170

St. Joseph's Cathedral
St. Joseph's Cathedral, located at Lal Bahadur Sastri Road, is a major spiritual center of the Jacobite Syrian Christians. Belongs to Kottayam diocese, the church was built in the year 1981 and is the the only church of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Christians founded in the name of St Joseph. The annual feast of St. Joseph and the foundation day of the church is celebrated on January 26 with much pomp and merriment.
Contact : 
St.Joseph's Cathedral
L.B.Sastri Road, Kottayam-686 001
Phone:0481-2304646, 2564499

St Mary’s Forane Church, Kuravilangad
St Mary’s Forane Church also known as Martha Mariam church is located in Meenachil Taluk, 22 kms north of Kottayam. Belongs to the Palai diocese and believed to be built in 355 A.D, several renovation works was made and the present structure was constructed in 1960. The church enshrines a miraculous statue of Blessed Virgin Mary. Locally known as ‘Kuravilangad Muthiyamma’, this statue is carved from granite and it is said to be brought from North India. A single block granite cross measuring a height of 48 feet is located in front of the church. The devotes offer coconut oil in the lamps at the foot of the cross. 

Kuravilangad Moonnu Nompu, a three day feast at the church, is attended by thousands of people from all over Kerala . The main attraction of the feast is the ceremonial procession held on the second day. It is on this day that the replica of the vessel used by prophet Jonah of the OT is taken out. 
Contact : 
St.Mary's Forane Church
Kuravilangad Post, Kottayam-686 633
Phone : 04822-230224, 230124

Valiapally, Kaduthuruthy 
The Kaduthuruthy Valiapally is situated between Ettumanoor and vaikom at MC Road in Kaduthuruthi, around 26kms north of Kottayam. Believed to be built in 500 AD, the church has a big cross at the entrance which is molded out of a single stone. 

St. Mary's Thazhathupally, Kaduthuruthy
Belongs to the Palai diocese, St. Mary's Church at Kaduthuruthy is one of the most famous traditional churches in Kerala, built during the 11th century. Also known as Cheriyapally or Thazhathupally, it is located at a distance of 26 kms north of Kottayam. The present new church, which is said to be the biggest in the Diocese of Palai, was consecrated on 15th August 2005. The interiors of the church are decorated with attractive friezes, sculptures and exquisitely carved monuments. 

The main parish feast of Holy Family is celebrated on the first Sunday in the month Makaram. i.e around 15th of January). The feast of St. Mary on August 15th is celebrated as the “Kallitta Thirunal” of the parish. Apart these, several other minor feasts are also celebrated here.
Contact : 
St. Mary's Thazhathupally 
Kaduthuruthy, Kottayam- 686604
Phone : 0482-9282373

St George's Forane Church, Aruvithura
St George's Forane Church alias Aruvithurapally belonging to the Syro-Malabar Rite in Palai diocese, is believed to be one of the seven churches established by St. Thomas. It is located on the left bank of the river Meenachil, 25 miles east of Kottayam. The original edifice of the church which was dedicated to Virgin mother, was reconstructed in the 16th century and the present. Because of the numerous favours obtained from the saint St. George, the church was later named after this saint. The present structure of the church in Gothic style has been completed in 1952 and it enshrines a miraculous statue of St.George which is placed in the central niche above the main alter. The annual feast of the saint is celebrated on 24th April and it is one among the churches in Kerala which collects the largest amount of monetary offerings during the festival days. 

Contact : 
St.George's Forane Church
Aruvithura (P.O), Pin - 686 122, Kottayam (Dist)
Phone - 04822-272113, 274017, 209717
E-mail : Contact Now

St. Jude Shrine, Kizhathadiyoor
The highly revered shrine of St. Jude is located near Pala, 27 kms from Kottayam. The church contains the relics of St. Jude, which is believed to be brought from Rome. Novena of the saint is conducted on every Tuesday. The annual festival of the church is celebrated from 19 to 28th October. The celebration concludes with a grand feast of St. Jude.
Contact : 
St. Jude Shrine Kizhathadiyoor
Pala P. O., Kottayam (Dist.), Pin - 686575
Tel : 0482 - 2215087, 2200784
E-mail : Contact Now

St. Mary's Forane Church, Bharananganam 
St. Mary's Church also known as Anakkallu Palli is located on the banks of Meenachil river, 5 km east of Pala in Kottayam. This 1000 year old church is one of the famous pilgrim centers of the Christians in Kerala. There is a chapel nearby which contains the mortal remains and the tomb of Sister Alphonsa who died on 28 July 1946. Feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on 9th of November and Feast of St Sebastian on 20th of January are the important festivals celebrated here. More details....
Contact : 
St. Mary's Forane Church 
Anakallu, Bharananganam
Phone. 04822 237144, 238145

St. Thomas Cathedral (Valiapally), Pala
The cathedral, established in 1002 AD, is located in Pala about 39 Km from Kottayam town. It was destroyed by Muslim invaders and was reconstructed after the 17th century A.D. The important festival of this church is the Rakkulithirunal which is celebrated on 6th January. The festival symbolizes the Biblical account of the three Wiseman from East who left for Bethlehem to adore infant Jesus.
Contact:
St Thomas Cathedral
Pala, Kottayam Dt, Kerala - 686 575, India
Tel: (04822) 212386

Kurisumala
Kurisumala, a sky-scraping mountain with a small church, is a famous Christian Pilgrim center located at a distance of 60kms from Kottayam. During the holy week, thousands of devotees from far and near converge here to climb this holy hill, carrying small wooden crosses. At the peak of the hill, there is a Jewish monastery also known as Kurisumala Ashramam, which has a small community of ascetics who follow Christian faith but combines with it the Indian spiritual traditions and Gandhian thoughts.

On the eastern side of Kurisumala, there is another mount called Muruganmala housing a rock cut temple dedicated to Lord Murugan (son of Lord Shiva). A beautiful artificial lake and a European model house both designed by the famous architect, Laurie Baker are on the way to Kurisumala.