HISTORY OF ST. SIMON’S KNANAYA CHURCH
VAKATHANAM
It is believed that the Syrian Knananite community was lived in Vakathanam, Thrukothamangalam, Velloothuruthy, about 139 year ago. It was a meager number community of 22 families, who depended on Kottayam Valiyapally for their spiritual needs. In course of time these families felt that a church must be established in their own home village. During that time it was very difficult to get the permission to establish a church from the British Government. By the grace of God Mr. Cherian Cherian of Ayiramthaickal family had gone to Trivandrum and was able to obtain the permission of a church establishment from the government along with Mr. Cherian, Thoma Asan of Kizhakke Onattu, Uthup Kurian of Pattuchalil had gone to Mulanthuruthy were Mor Cyril of Syrian was living. By their request His Grace blessed the foundation stone and it was laid by Edavazhikkal Cor-Eppiscoppa, the vicar of Kottayam Valiyapally on 1870 on the Three Day Fest in the name Simon the Zealot. The land was donated by Ayiramthaickal Cherian Cherian
The construction of the church was begin in 1045( M E ). The foundation of the cross of the church was laid by Edavazhikkal Cor-Eppiscoppa in 1046(ME) on the 3rd day of the Feast of Three Day
A general body was held in 1069 (ME) and decided to renovate the old church. As result a deed was registered on 26th of Karkkidakam, 1069 at Sub Registrar Office of changanachery under the no: 1953. The deed entitles five divisions namely Vakathanam, Puthussery, Thekkkeppuram, Thrikkothamangalam, Velloothuruthy. The following members were represented the following divisions
- Mr. cherian Cherian, Ayiramthaickal – Thekkeppuram
- Mr. Chacko Thoma Onattu, Thoma Kuruvilla Alancheril – Vakathanam
- Mr. Uthup Kurian Pattuchalil – Thrikkothamangalam
- Mr. Mathan Chandi Anickal, Mathu Mathu Plakkuzhiyil - Puthussery
- Mr.Uthuppan Mathan Mattathil, Itty Chacko Perincheril
The above mentioned deed was ratified in 1094 (ME) in connection with construction of the Porch. The new deed involved that the Thekkeppuram family received 1/8th of the share and the remaining 4 divisions received 1.75/8 respectively. This deed was written in 1094(ME) Thulam 30th and registered at Kottayam Registrar Office by the no: 632. The following Members were signed as partners of the deed Ayiramthaickal Cherian Uthup, Onattu Thoma Chacko, Alancheril Kuruvilla Thoma, Anickal chandi Mathan, Plakkuzhiyil Mathu Mathu, Pattuchalil Kurian Uthup, Mr.Uthuppan Mathan Mattathil , Itty Chacko Perincheril - Velloothuruthy. Later the thekkeppuram abstained from the partnership and merged with Vakathanam division.
In 1951 a plot was donated by Valiyaveettil Ulahannan scaria and Puthukkattu Mathew Mathew at the eastern side of the church in which a shrine was was constructed by the Church
An astonishing event of the church was happened in 1950. The share holders of Velloothuruthy division started a church in Jun 1950 and became an independent church in January 1951 from their Mother church
The contributions done by non-knananites were commendable and appreciable. The Edathara family contributed their land in order to widen the entrance of the church. Apart from this Koyippurathu Sri. Abraham donated a stone cross in the western side of the church. In addition to this he contributed the sum for the construction of well. Yet another remarkable contribution was done by the families of Chirappurathu, Muthalakeril, and Ettuparayil for the development of the road at the eastern side of the church.
A new vista was evolved in the year 1951 in which His Grace Mor Climis Abraham became the new bishop of knanaya diocese. As a result in the year 1952, the matters of the church was decided by the decision of Knanaya Association. Consequently a general body of the church was held in 1954 on January 17 and a unanimous decision was taken to enhance all the movable and immovable property of the church to the metropolitan of the diocese. Consequently a deed was registered at the additional Sub Registrar Office Kottayam under no: 214 on 18 January 1954. As a result it is viewed that the powers of all the former share holders became void and null
At present historically the church is the 7th of our community and 5th in demographic wise.| MileStone of the Church | |
| 1870 | Foundation Stone Laid for the 1st church. |
| 1875 | Erection of stone cross on the west. |
| 1932 | Visit of H. H. Moran Mar Ignatius Elias III the patriarch of Antioch and all the East. |
| 1970 | The centenary year of the church |
| 1979 | Shrine dedicated in the name of St. Simon at Njaliyakuzhy. |
| 1982 | Visit of H.H. Mor Ignatius Zakka I was the present Patriarch of Antioch and all the East. |
| 1985 | Reconstruction Foundation stone laid by Mor Clemis Abraham,(The Chief Metropolitan of the East) |
| 1992 | FEB 13 The newly constructed church was consecrated by Mor Climis Abraham, The Chief Metropolitan of the East and Mor Philixinos yuhannon Metropolitan of Malabar Diocese. ( conveners- V.A. Jacob Vilanganpara, P. K. Mathew Anickal puthuparambil ) |
| 1995 | 125 the year celebration |
| 2001 | Foundation stone of the parish hall laid by Mor Climis Abraham Chief metropolitan of the East. |
| 2009 | 2009 nov 8 website inagurated by Arch bishop mor Savarios Kuriakose |