The Christian community in Kerala traces its origins to the Apostolic ministry of St. Thomas. Multiple historical evidence support this foundation. The Seven and Half Churches (''Ezhara Pallikal'') established by St. Thomas gradually expanded throughout the region. Despite transportation being limited to waterways in those early periods, Christians began settling along the banks of the Meenachil River. Churches rose in areas like Pala, Bharananganam, and Aruvithura. Christians spread to nearby regions also. Those who came from Kuravilangad and Nilakkal and settled in the areas near Aruvithura , later spread to southern regions including Thidanadu. Although some means for road transportation and some forest paths existed earlier, it was only in 1895 that a road suitable for bullock carts was built from Aruvithura to Kanjirappally. Similar to the established communities in Aruvithura, Thidanad, Idamattam, Bharananganam, Poovarani, and Vilakkumadam, there were about two hundred families started living in Chemmalamattam area during the first decade of the twentieth century. For spiritual matters, they had to depend on the churches at Thidanad and Elikkulum. Since these churches were quite far away, discussions began about establishing a church in Chemmalamattam.
Foundation of the Twelve Apostles’ Church
Twelve pioneering families submitted a formal application to establish a church in Chemmalamattam. The 12 enthusiastic people who came forward and invested money for the foundation of the church were:
1. Sri. Ittiyeppu Ouseph Thayyil
2. Sri. Ittiyeppu Thomman Thayyil
3. Sri. Ouseph Varkey Vellookunnel
4. Sri. Varky Thomman Vellookunnel
5. Sri. Ouseph Devassy Poriyath
6. Sri. Ouseph Mathayi Poriyath
7. Sri. Ithakku Varkey Kakkallil
8. Sri. Mathayi Varkey Kaniyamparambil
9. Sri. Thomman Kuriyan Moozhiyankal
10. Sri. Chacko Joseph Thottumkal
11. Sri. Kuruvila Kuruvila Kokkattu (Kinattukara)
12. Sri. Pothan Pothan Varikkanickkal
An application seeking permission to build a church was submitted on February 5, 1920.Permission was granted for establishing a church between Thidanad and Pinnakkanad, along with the new place name Chemmalamattam. Since 12 families took the initiative in buying the land for the church, H.E.Mar Thomas Kuryalassery conferred the name Twelve Apostles Church. At that time, there was no other church in Kerala that bears this name. Soon after, the construction of the first church began, and a small church with palm leaves and mud floor was built at the lower level of the present church. On February 6, 1922, Rev. Fr. Chackochan Varikkattu, who was the then vicar of St. Joseph's Church in Thidanad, consecrated the church. Rev.Fr. Thomachan Kaleckal, vicar of St. Joseph's Church in 1920, who had earnestly supported the establishment of this parish celebrated the first Holy Mass in the new church.
Growth and Development (1922-2000)
The first vicar of Twelve Apostles’ Church Chemmalamattam was Rev. Fr. Devasia Vattappally. Little Flower Girls L.P. School was established in 1926, during the period of Rev. Joseph Paredam, the third vicar of the church. In 1983, it was upgraded to a High School. Rev. Fr. Kuruvila Kottarathumkuzhiyil, who realized the need for a more spacious church, initiated the construction of a new cross-shaped church. In 1942, the beautiful church in stone, was completed. On October 16, H.E.Mar James Kalaserry blessed the church. The construction cost for the church was approximately Rs. 14,000.
In the same year 1942, the St. George Chapel at Nedunchery was completed, and the tradition of celebrating the feast of St. George at the end of November began. In 1958, Chetuthode, which was a Kurissupalli of Chemmalamattam, was made an independent parish. In 1955, the cemetery was moved to the north side of the church, and a cemetery chapel was built. In the same year, St. George and St. Sebastian Chapels were built. In 2000, Rev. Fr. Nadakkal built the cemetery chapel in its present form.
In 1975, Rev. Fr. Augustine Vadakkedath designed and built the St. Sebastian's Chapel in Pinnakkanadu town. In 1995, Variyanikkadu was made an independent parish. Later, when the Poovankal Fathima Matha Chapel was ruined, Rev. Fr. George Mandapathil rebuilt it in January 2014.
In 2012, when Rev. Fr. James Kattakkal was the vicar, a large Parish Hall with shops in front, was built on the church premises. In 2014, Rev. Fr. George Mandapathil took the initiative to buy 26 cents of land behind the church, and in 2016, a two-story Shopping Complex was built on the church land, on the Poovankal Road side.
Educational and Religious Institutions
The Little Flower Primary School was established by Rev. Fr. Joseph Paredam in 1926 marking the beginning of the parish's educational mission. The institution was upgraded to an Upper Primary School, during the time of Rev. Fr. Joseph Padannamakkal in 1979, necessitating the construction of a two-story building. By 1983, it achieved high school status through systematic expansions of the UP School building. Since the primary school building was in a ruined condition, during the time of Rev. Fr. Alex Kozhikode, a two-story building was constructed next to the High School, and in 2007, the LP School was moved to the new building. Today, this school has grown into a large institution with about 1,200 students and 40 teachers. The school maintains a good standard in both academics and extracurricular activities.
When Rev. Fr. Mathai Kizhakkekara was the vicar, the Franciscan Clarist Convent was established in Chemmalamattam in 1949. The sisters have been rendering commendable service in all social and spiritual areas of the parish, including school, Sunday school, prayer fellowships, etc. A nursery school with English as the medium of instruction operates under the supervision of the sisters.
Vocational Legacy and Religious Societies
Chemmalamattam parish is rich in vocations. H. E. Mar Gregory Karotemprel, who served as the Bishop of Rajkot and now retired, is a member of the Chemmalamattam parish. Additionally, 49 priests and 160 sisters from this parish glorifies God through various religious congregations in numerous dioceses across the globe. P.C. Abraham Pallattukunnel (Kunjettan), one of the founding leaders of the Mission League, was from this parish.
The church provides good religious and moral education through its Sunday school system. The Sunday school is committed to the faith formation of the younger generation. There are a total of 650 children in 12 classes. 33 teachers provide service in the Sunday school. Various other organizations like Vincent de Paul, Franciscan Third Order, Mathru Jyothi, DCMS, Mission League, Altar boys, KCYM, AKCC, Legion of Mary, Thirubala Sakyam, Charismatic Prayer Group, Deepika Friends Club etc. efficiently function in association with the church. Additionally, ten Self-Help Units function under the supervision OF Pala Diocesan Social Welfare Society.
Religious Traditions and Celebrations
The parish maintains distinctive devotional practices, particularly the Novena and Feast of the Twelve Apostles and it was initiated by Rev.Fr. Sebastian Nadakkal. The apostolic feast is celebrated on Pentecost, marking the commencement of the apostolic era. Every Friday, there is a novena to the Apostles after the first Holy Mass. Numerous parishioners testify the miraculous intercessions.
The Feast( Oottu nercha) offering for the twelve apostles conducted here is very famous. The offering for the 12 apostles (children) symbolizes the Passover feast celebrated by our Lord and the twelve apostles. In commemoration of this, people conduct feast offerings (Oottu nercha) in the church on the feast day of the apostles and also on other occasions for the fulfillment of specific intentions. Besides the feast of the Twelve Apostles, the feasts of St. Sebastian in the month of February, St. Alphonsa on the last Sunday of October, and St. George on the last Sunday of November are celebrated in this church.
Recent Developments and Modern Church Construction
The general body meeting held on 7 April 2019, decided to build a spacious parish church, as the existing church is insufficient for accommodating 850 homes together. H.E. Mar Joseph Kallarangattu laid the foundation stone for the church, on 26th January 2020. Construction began on 2nd June 2, 2020. The parishioners manage to collect about seven crore rupees and the necessary timber to complete the construction. The meticulously crafted church stands as a testament to the sacrificial dedication of generations of faithful parishioners both in the country and abroad.