Thomas is the oldest church in India and was established in 52 A.D. in the Palayuur district of Kerala.
It is also one of the seven churches founded by St. Thomasthe Apostle himself.
The Church was elevated to the rank of the first Archdiocesan pilgrim centre in 2020.
The church also houses relics of St. Thomas conveyed from Ortona, Italy.
One famous event that takes place every year is the 30 km long annual Lenten Mahatheerthdanam on foot from Thrissur to Palayuur.
St. George’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Kochi
This church is popular among Christians and non-Christians as well.
The Church’s construction goes way back to 594 AD.
In 1080 AD, a bigger church was built next to the old one to accommodate the congregation that had grown.
Francis Church, Kochi
Francis Church is also known as the “Vasco Da Gama Palli” as Vasco Da Gama who died in 1524 during his third visit to Kochi was buried here. However, the Portuguese took his body back to Lisbon after 14 years.
The church was built by the Portuguese after which it faced several invasions. The Dutch invaded Kochi in 1662 and converted it into their church by placing Dutch-style communion tables and furniture.
However, the church was renamed and renovated by the British when the Dutch surrendered it to them after their defeat in the invasion of Kochi the latter in 1795.
You will find the gravestones of the Portuguese on the wall in the north of the church and that of the Dutch on the wall in the south.
The successors of the Church of England, the Church of South India (CSI) took over the administration of the church after Indian independence.
Santa Cruz Basilica, Kochi
Santa Cruz Basilica is a heritage edifice built in the Fort of Kochi which was established when a Portuguese fleet reached the shores of Kochi.
The foundation of the cathedral was laid long back in 1505. It is said that the church got this name because the foundation was laid on the day of the invention of the Holy Cross. The status of the church was raised to a cathedral by Pope Paul IV in 1598.
This church also witnessed the same chronology of invasions. It was first captured by the Dutch who converted it into a storehouse for arms but was later partially destroyed by the British.
One of the original granite pillars of the structure is still preserved in the new structure to date. It was not until 1984 that the church was granted Basilica status by Pope John Paul II.
The most attractive features of this church are the paintings of Brother Antonio Moscheni and his disciple De Gama of Mangalore.
Se Cathedral, Goa
The Se Cathedral in Goa is one of the oldest and also largest churches in Asia.
This church was built by the Roman Catholics during the Portuguese rule in Goa and it is considered larger than any of the Cathedrals in Portugal itself.
The Church is dedicated to St. Catherine of Alexandria as it was on the day of her feast that Alfonso Albuquerque defeated the Muslim army in Goa and established Portuguese rule in 1510.
The Cathedral is a unique combination of Portuguese-Gothic style, Tuscan exterior and Corinthian interior.
Basilica of Bom Jesus, Goa
The church is also known as Borea Jezuchi Bajilika and is a UNESCO heritage site.
The Basilica contains the remains of St. Francis Xavier which were transported from Portugal 2 years after his death. The saint along with his close friend St. Ignatius Loyola founded the Society of Jesus also known as Jesuits. The saint was believed to have phenomenal healing powers and had a major role in the spread of Christianity in India.
The meaning of the name of this 400-year-old church is “Church of the Holy Jesus.”
It is a splendid baroque structure and has the initials “IHS” carved on the triangular roofing which is the abbreviation of the emblem of Jesuits, “Jesus, Saviour of Men” and above all is the holy trinity of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
San Thome Basilica (Chennai, Tamil Nadu)
Built over the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle, one of Jesus’ twelve disciples.
The present structure was built by the Portuguese in the 16th century and later rebuilt by the British in Neo-Gothic style in 1896.
One of the only three churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle (others in Rome and Spain).
