Marthoma Church,kadammanitta

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In the latter part of the nineteenth century, when the state of Kerala was a non-existent one, lower and greater kings ruled the kingdoms; the people were leaving their places for better pastures elsewhere. Great many people from various places scouted for places that they can dwell and settle. Their need, food for their folks and fodder for cattle. Many of them found dwellings in the vast forestry clearing acres of land. Years of hard work and struggle yielded results and their status in social strata increased.

During their struggle with barren and fertile lands, they never forgot their Creator and Savior. Their spiritual quests continued. Sleepy tiredness never bothered them when it was time for their daily individual and family prayers. Head of eight families of the Kadammanitta village, as under, sat together and decided to have a church for worships and social gatherings:

1 Shri Iype Chacko - Valiaparampil

2 Shri Kunjumman Varkey -Mullanvarathinkal

3 Shri Kunjumman Kunjumman -Mulanthara

4 Shri Varghese Thomas -Chiramannil Meleorikamavukal

5 Shri Ittiavira Iducula -Cheriakavil

6 Shri Koshy Mathai -Kottareth

7 Shri Chacko Mathai - Orikamavunkal

8 Shri Kunjumman Yohannan - Valiakattil

A small gathering of dedicated god-fearing men.

Their efforts blessed by Syrian Christian Marthoma Church leaders and under the leadership of Rev. Thomas ( Elanthur Puthen Veettil Valliachan) a Bamboo shed was erected on 50 cents of land purchased from Shri Valiaparampil Ipe Chacko, at accost of Rs 500/-, and worship commenced on Malayalam Calendar 1st Dhanu of 1078.( AD 1902) Thus came in to existence the first Syrian Christian Marthoma Church of Kadammanitta. During 1079 of Malayalam Calendar, (AD 1903) the Bamboo shed was re-placed by a semi permanent structure of red stone and wood.

Experience taught the new settlers that farming and cattle breeding alone would do no wonders for themselves and their future generations. Knowledge adduced through modern education prevailing at that time was a must to go beyond the traditional ways. Their efforts for a Primary School bore fruit and the present MTLP School started during Midhunam of 1103 of Malayalam Calendar. (AD 1927) This school is the backbone of all the present economical growth of the area. They were not satisfied with the primary school alone. They visualized the need for learning of English Language. Their thought got encouragements from Bishop Mathews Mar Athansiuose of the Marthoma Church. With His blessing, an English Medium School named “Kalalayam” started, where the present Govt. Hospital is stationed. The Marthoma Church Kadammanitta donated the land and building of “ kalalayam” for establishing a Govt. Hospital considering the health and sanitation of the whole of the area.

Kadammanitta started swelling with new settlers. The faithful from surrounding areas of Mekhazhoor, Vayalathala, Valianthi, Thekepuram and Antivalancavu joined the Church for worship. The number of families increased. Inconvenience started hop in. The members from places other than Kdammanitta established churches at their own places. The faithful of mother church went up to 65 families from the initial small gathering of eight. Need for a new church building was essential to hold the congregation. During the forties, a new church building was constructed and worship commenced in it. A new “Mathbaha” sanctum-sanctorum) was added during 1972.

The young ones of the new generations refused to go by the traditional ways of their ancestors. The eager in them went exploring avenues beyond boundaries. They traveled for better pasture. Majority succeeded minority failed. Some brought laurels. They traveled beyond national and international boundaries. Intellectuals appreciated their intelligence. Whatever it may be, prosperity boomed. Sheer hard work and effective guidance bestowed it. God Almighty showed the path. They progressed. The earnest prayers of their ancestors bore fruits.

By the end of the last millennium, the congregation reached more than 190 families consisting more than two thousand members. The church building cannot hold the worshipers. The need for a new Church building considered. The huge amount involved was the question mark on the faithful. They looked back.

Searched their souls and got the answer. They cannot betray their ancestors. A SMALL GATHERING OF EIGHT DID IT. WHY SHOULD NOT WE THE TWO HUNDRED?

Rev. C V George, the vicar encouraged, scouted, pleaded and took it as a challenge. He motivated the worshipers. He never bothered about failures. He preached that failure is the first step of success. Faithful said Amen. Work commenced. There was no stop. Money was there for requirement. The requirement never stopped. So was the flow. The old generation encouraged the new. They understood and obliged.

The outcome is in front of everyone. It will remain there not as a concrete structure but as a monument of worship. GOD ALMIGHTY IS THERE IN EVERY STEP. IT IS HIS BLESSING THAT THIS MONUMENT IS THERE IN ITS PRESENT STATURE. WE PRAISE HIM.

We fondly remember that small gathering of eight. Their efforts have not gone waste.