Azhagappapuram - St. Antony's Church

St. Antony's Church

A Malayananchan from the Hindu Nadar community that moved in here after the Mudaliars era, had become a prominent figure. His eight sons were known as the Eight mavericks. Famous as he was, Malayananchan embraced Christianity and was baptized by the Vadakankulam parish priest, Paranjyothi Nathar. Malayananchan was re-christened as Swamiadian. He started living anew as a devout Christian. These events are known to have occurred during the period 1700 1740. Malayananchan built with his own money a thatch-roofed church, dedicating it to St. Antony. As he believed that he was cured of a serious ailment with divine grace, he donated his land surrounding the church. Our primary school was constructed thereafter on this plot. The sepulcher of his eldest son still stands intact at the eastern frontier of Azhagai(Oor Nadar Kallarai). As early settlers and drifters from elsewhere started gradually moving into Azhagai, it began taking shape of a bigger village. The existing church land was acquired about 158 years ago. With the zealousness of the then Vadakankulam parish priest, Soosai Gregory Nathar, and the unstinted cooperation of the people, construction of the church was accomplished in two phases. In those days, the areas falling to the west of the Western Mountain range, were called Kollam diocese and those located on the eastern side of the mountain, Thiruchi diocese. Azhagappapuram was under Tiruchi diocese. During the period 1730 to 1830, our village was with Anakarai parish; and during 1830 to 1910, it was merged with Vadakankulam parish.