St. Joseph’s Church, located in Mannam, Kottayam is a Syro Malabar Catholic Church built by Saint Kuriakose Elias Chavara, popularly known as Chavara Achan. It is one of the famous pilgrimage centres built in 1837 and renovated twice in 1955 and 1996. The church compound also has a residential house used by the saint during his priesthood. Father Kuriakose Elias Chavara was canonized as a saint in 2014 and around 60000 people had attended the mass held at the church celebrated by 100 priests conjointly.
Chavara Achan died in 1871 and was buried at Koonammavu church, it was later in 1889 his remains were transferred to St. Joseph’s Church in Mannanam. Father was also quite popular for his establishment of the first printing press in Kottayam in 1846. It was this printing press that printed the first Malayalam daily newspaper, Nasrani Deepika. Chavara Achan had played a major role in popularising education across Kerala. He brought out the idea of “a school for every church” that provides education for all children irrespective of their caste or creed, thus it was his effort that resulted in “pallikoodam”. Mannanam church is daily visited by numerous devotees seeking blessings from Chavara Achan. There is also a college in Mannam in the name of Kuriakose Elias Achan, which is nearby the church premises.
Contact Details
St. Joseph’s Church
Mannanam (P.O), Kottayam
Kerala, 686561
