Kallooppara St. Mary's Valiyapally
Kallooppara St. Marys Orthodox Church is situated at the heart of a small village called Kallooppara, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India. It is one of the oldest and renowned churches in Kerala and a priced possession of Malankara Sabha. The church have a legacy of around seven centuries, keeping its tradition and culture intact without compromising on its religious values. The church is a perfect example of the ancient temple architecture and is an elegant representation of the beautiful shingled roof tops in the early Travancore style. The church has a splendid blend of beauty and science in it and is a mystery the way it has overcome all the challenges of time. The church which is the worshiping place of thousands has been a topic of research for many.
Even though there are no clear evidence for the origin and age of the church. It is commonly believed that the founding stone of the church was laid on Malayalam month Karkadakam 3rd of 515 (A.D.1339).
The church has been declared as the "Pilgrim center of St. Mary" on January 9th 2009 by His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Didimos Ist.The administration of the church is done by a governing body which is elected anually from among the church members.
Read more about this topic: Syrian Churches Of Kerala