St. Joseph's Church, Karapadam

 

 Parish History

To know and recall history is a very interesting as well as instructive exercise. A peep into the past shrouded in mystery is at the same time informative and exciting to the present generation. When we scan the history of Kerala and Malabar, we find that in the middle of the twentieth century there was large-scale migration from various parts of Travancore to the fertile valleys and hillocks of Mannarkad Taluk. As part of that general migration, a mass migration of Syrian Catholics took place to Karappadam from 1953. Karappadam was part of Payyanadam village, the place of Payyan Chetty brutally executed by Unni Erady, the military commander of the Samorin, and his brothers. The first Catholics to settle at Karappadam were Perimbrayil Francis (Kochettan), Kollakkombil Mathai, Kodakkachira Kochettan, Alakkal Mathai, Tharayil Devasia, and Kandathil Joseph. All of those families except Perimbrayil, Kollakkombil and Kandathil moved away from Karappadam subsequently.The struggle for life that went on here for decades amidst wild elephants, wild boars, and various fatal infectious diseases is hard to describe. What sustained those forefathers was the determination to survive in spite of the odds and to start a new life here. When the sweat of the hardworking farmers fell on the fertile soil, there were exceptionally rich harvests. The people naturally felt grateful to God who guided them and protected them continuously. At first the Catholics of the area had to go to Mannarkad St James church under the Kozhikkode diocese for their spiritual needs.             When a new parish, St Thomas church Kanjirappuzha, was established under the Thalasserry diocese, the believers of Karappadam started going there. On Sundays they had to start before dawn and walk miles to reach the church for the Mass. That tells us of their dedication and piety. On 8 September 1974 Palakkad diocese was established and under it there was established a new parish, Holy Spirit church, at Perimpadary in Mannarkad Taluk. At around the same time there was a new spurt of migration to Karappadam.               In 1976 the Carmelite Congregation started a convent at Karappadam. After that the believers got the opportunity to participate in Holy Mass on every Sunday in their own place. The congregation donated half an acre of land for the church. The Catholic community bought one and a half acres of land near that from Isaac Sir. The site was at Puthukkudy. The first steps for the construction of the church there were taken and even a receipt book was printed in the name of RC church. However, the attempt was stopped and it was decided to build the church at the present site. The first site was sold and the new land was duly purchased. The foundation stone for the new church was laid by Mar Joseph Irimpan on 19 March 1978. The building was completed in 1980 and St Joseph’s Church Karappadam was consecrated by Mar Joseph Irimpan on 19 March 1980.            The boundaries of the parish are very extensive. In the north the boundary extends to the hills from Thanuppanchola to Perukurumpan. In the east there is Kunthippuzha. In the south there are the roads from Enadimangalam Shiva temple to the Mahila Samajam junction, the PWD road up to Payyanadam School, the road from Adhikarippadam through Valayadippadam to Pallikkunnu, and the PWD road to Salam junction. In the west there is the Thuravathode and Ariyoorthode. With these boundaries Karappadam St Joseph’s church was officially acknowledged as a parish on 8 December 1988. The new church was the result of the selfless work of a lot of people, especially the priests and the sisters. There were also generous contributions and a lot of human labour. Various priests who shed their sweat here for the believers like Rev Fr Sebastian Irimpan, Rev Fr Sebastian Karuthedath, Rev Fr Antony Kaitharath, Rev Fr Jacob Adampkulam, Rev Fr Paul Vadakkeyorath, Rev Fr Sebastian Pottanany, Rev Fr Mathew Plathottam, Rev FR John Joseph Aloor, Rev Fr Thomas Parambi, Rev Fr John Arackal, and Rev Fr Paulose Vazhakkala will forever remain in the memory of the people of Karappadam. When Rev Fr Sebastian Irimpan was the vicar, rubber and coconut were planted in the church compound. The chapel at Karappadam was constructed at the time of Rev Fr Sebastian Karuthedath. The cemetery was constructed in 1983 during the tenure of Rev Fr Paul Vadakkeyoram. The financial position was made secure by Rev Fr Pottanany and he implemented plans to ensure the continued wealth of the church, such as the planting of rubber among coconut palms and providing irrigation facility. The church was renovated in 1988 during the tenure of Rev FR Mathew Plathottam. He was also instrumental in building the parish hall. He also started the work on the chapel in the two and a half cents of land donated by Thomas Maliakal. The chapel was completed by Rev Fr John Joseph Aloor in 1993. The chapel in the name of the Virgin Mother was blessed by Mar Joseph Irimpan on 30 April 1993.               The Vellappadam chapel was planned during the time of Rev Fr Thomas Parambi. It was completed by Rev Fr John Arackal. He also led several other developmental activities like the modification of the cemetery, construction of a kitchen by the side of the parish hall, and the introduction of basic facilities in the priest home. He also renewed the church bell and installed rubber roller. Rev FR Paulose Vazhakkala implemented various renovation schemes. As part of that, the church and the parish hall were electrified, the sound system in the church was renewed, and the chapel was renovated. Other renovation programmes included the planting new rubber saplings, construction of a new building for the rubber roller, installation of the Pieta in the chapel, and the renovation of the madbaha. It is the duty of the present generation to express their sincere gratitude to all those who had contributed in a big way to make the parish so advanced, rich and self-sufficient .               Thus, Karappadam St Joseph’s Church stands there, beckoning all the people into its peace, and spreading the message of secularism and peace.