Bl. Chavara Kuriakose Eliase Church Palchuram : Overview

Bl. Chavara Kuriakose Eliase Church Palchuram, is a Syro Malabar Catholic church which is affiliated to the Archdiocese of Mananthavady. The church is located in a Border of Kannur & Wayanad called Palchuram, which is near the Chunkakunnu Forane Church. The Church was formed to address the spiritual needs of the Syro Malabar Catholics in and around Palchuram. Franciscan Clarist Congregation (FCC) supports the spiritual activities at Parish. Coming under the Holy See at Rome, and the Archbishop of Mananthavady, the Church follows the rich liturgical tradition of Syro Malabar Rite.

The parish has around 200 families as its members. The church has Active group of CML, Mathrusangam, KCYM, Vinced Depol & SWS. The church also has a Choir Group and an Altar boys group.

The Parish Council consists of members elected from its 11 geographical units: St.Antony, St.Viyany, Little Flower, St.George, St.Thomas, Bl.Chavara, St.Josph, St.Sebastian, St. Mary’s, St.Jude, & St.Alphonsa.

 Milestones

• 1986- Ambayathode Parish Church Counsil Passed a Statement For a new Child Parish called ‘PALCHURAM PARISH’
• 1987 December 24 Midnight – 1^st Holy mass at New Parish by Fr 1888 Jan 17: Holy Blessing to temporary parish building Holy by  Bishop. Jacob Thunkuzhi
• 1990 May 1 – Palchuram Announced as a  By Fr. Aphrem pottanplackal
• 1993 April 8 – New church Blessing  By 1998- Independent activities
• 2012 November 4 – Palchuram Parish Council Passed a Statement For New Parish Church.

Parish Priests

• 1987-1990:                                 Fr. Aphrem Pottanplackal (MCBS)
• 1990-1994:                                 Fr. Stephen kottakal
• 1994 may – Feb 1998:                 Fr.Francis kuthukallunkal
• 1998 Feb 14 - 2001 May 14:        Fr.Dominic Valakodiyil
• 2001 may 14 - 2005 may 14:       Fr.Benny Veliyath
• 2005 may14 to 2007 may12:        Fr.Justin Oorakkat (Holy Cross)
• 2007 may 12 - 2008 Nov 30:        Fr.Jose akkatukudiyil (MST)
• 2008 Dec1 -  2009 may 15:          Fr.Thomas kalappurayil (MST)
• 2009 may 15 - 2012 may 19:        Fr.Mathew Muthedath
• 2012 may 19  -                             Fr. Dennis Poovathinkal

Bl. Kuriakose Elias Chavara

               

Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara was born on 10th Feb. 1805 of God fearing parents Iko (Kuriakose) Chavara and Mariam Thoppil of the Syro-Malabar Church, at Kainakary, near Allappuzha, Kerala. According to the local custom the infant was baptized on the 8th day in Chennankari Parish Church, Alappuzha.

From the age 5 to 10, he attended the village school (Kalari) to study languages, different dialects, and elementary sciences under the guidance of a Hindu teacher (Asan). Inspired by the desire to become a priest, he began the studies under the parish priest of the church of St. Joseph. At the age of 13 in 1818 he entered the seminary at Pallipuram where Malpan Thomas Palackal was the Rector. He was ordained priest on 29th November, 1829 at Arthunkal and celebrated his First Holy Mass at Chennankari Church.

After the ordination he was engaged for some time in pastoral ministry; however he soon returned to the seminary to teach and also to officiate for the Malpan Thomas Palackal during his absence. Thus he joined Malpan Thomas Porukara and Malpan Thomas Palackal when they were planning to found a congregation. In 1830 he went to Mannanam to direct the construction of the first house of the congregation of which the foundation stone was laid on 11th May, 1831. After the death of both the Malpans, Blessed Chavara took up leadership. On 8th December, 1855 he made the religious profession along with other 10 companions, under the name "Kuriakose Elias of Holy Family".
He was the Prior General of all the monasteries of the congregation from 1856 till his death in 1871. When, in 1861, a schism threatened the Church of Kerala with the arrival of Mar Thomas Rokos without proper credentials from the Pope, Blessed Chavara was appointed the Vicar-General of the Syro-Malabar Church by the Arch-Bishop of Verapolly. Blessed Chavara is gratefully remembered and acknowledged by the later leaders of the Church and by the Catholic community in general for his strenuous fight, strong stance , and effective leadership in thwarting `Thomas Rochos' intrusion and saving the church of Kerala from schism.In 1871, on January 3rd, Fr. Kuriakose Elias Chavara, with a painful illness, died at Koonammavu monastery in Kochi, preserving his baptismal innocence. His mortal remains were later transferred from Koonammavu to Mannanam in 1889 and are piously kept in the St. Joseph's Monastery church.