20 Famous Christian Churches In India You Should Visit In 2022
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India is a land full of people of different religious backgrounds who all live in one country. Hindus, Muslims, Christians, etc. live in one country at the same time. So it is not surprising to see many churches all over India from time to time. There are many churches in India, some of which are considered better than the original churches in Christian countries.
Christianity in India is believed to have come to Kerala with the Apostle Thomas who brought Christian traditions and teachings with him in AD 52. Christianity makes up 2.3% of India’s population. Christianity spread from Kerala to the rest of the country. There are various denominations of Christianity in India, and the Christian community in India is considered to be the second most educated class.
List and details of churches in India:
Here is a list of churches in India. While many people ask how many churches there are in India, here are a few of them.
1. Se Cathedral in Old Goa:
Se Cathedral is one of the oldest churches in the country. The cathedral was built in memory of Catherine of Alexandria. It was also the reward for the victory of the Portuguese over the Muslims, which enabled them to later occupy Goa. Built in the 15th century, it is one of the most visited churches in the country. Originally, construction of the church began in 1562 and took 90 years to complete. It is probably larger than any church in Portugal itself, and is the largest church in Indo-Asia. The largest church bell in Asia is also located in this cathedral.
- Church Day: Monday to Saturday and Sunday.
- Place: Old Goa.
- how can I get there: Getting to Goa from anywhere in the country is easy due to the railway, airport and well-connected road system. Vasco da Gama and Margao have two train stations, connected by frequent trains from different parts of the country.
- Celebrations: Christmas, Easter, Feast of St. Augustine.
- Other attractions: There are other sights close to the church, namely the Doge’s Arch, St. Augustine’s Church and Abbey, and the Archaeological Museum.
The church schedule is as follows:
- 5:30am (Conkani – Monday, Wednesday, Friday)
- 5:00 pm (Conkani – Tuesday, Friday – Mass, then Holy Hour)
- 7:30 a.m. (Conkani – Thursday)
- 5:30 am (Conkani – Saturday)
- 7:20 am (Conkani – Sunday)
- 10:00 am (Conkani – Chapter Mass, Sunday)
- 4:00 pm (Conkani – Our Lady of Novena, followed by Mass, Sunday)
2. Parumala Church in Kerala:
The church is named after a saint named St. Gregorios Geevarghese, who was also known as Parumala Thirumeni. This parish church contains the aforementioned tombs of the saints. It was built in the 19th century and currently houses more than 2,000 devout Christians every day.
The Parumala Church in Pathanamthitta is one of the oldest churches in India, over 2000 years old. It is also the tomb church of Saint Geevarghese Mar Gregorios and one of the most visited churches in India.
- Church Day: Every day, Monday to Saturday, Sunday.
- time: Weekdays 7am-8am and 6pm, Sundays 8am-9.15am and 6pm.
- Place: Mannar, Kerala.
- how can I get there: Reaching the church is relatively easy as it is located within the city limits. Chengannur is the nearest railway station and the nearest airport is in the neighbouring Thiruvananthapuram district.
- Celebrations: Christmas and November 1st and 2nd are celebrated as anniversaries, attracting large numbers of pilgrims during these days.
- Other attractions: Tomb of San Givarghese Mar Gregorios
The church schedule is as follows:
Monday to Saturday:
- Morning Prayer: 05:00 am – 06:00 am
- Moonnam Mani Namaskaram: 10:00am – 10:15am
- Noon prayer: 12:00 noon – 12:30 pm
- Onpatham Mani Namaskaram: 3:00pm – 3:15pm
- Vespers: 06:00pm – 7:00pm
- Intercession: 9:00pm – 9:30pm
Sunday: 07:30am – 10:00am.
[Read More: Famous Churches in Kerala]
3. Bon Jesus Cathedral:
When it comes to the most famous church in the country, the Cathedral of Bom Jesus cannot be missed. As we all know, this church is more than 400 years old. Every day, thousands of Christians visit the church for their daily prayers, including people from abroad. This is also a World Heritage Site. Another Portuguese Christian church in India, located in Goa, is one of the oldest, and even a tourist attraction of the church can see the remains of St Francis Xavier, co-founder of the Society of Jesus.
Construction of the church began around 1594 and was consecrated in 1604. The floor is made of marble. The church was designed by the 17th-century Florentine sculptor Giovanni Battista Foggini. The coffin containing the saint’s body was made of silver.
- Church Day: All days of the week.
- Place: Old Goa, 10 km east of Panaji.
- how can I get there: You can reach the nearest airport first, Dabolim Airport, which is only 29 kilometers away from the church. The place is also well connected by road, and if you choose to arrive by rail, Margau train station will be the closest to the church.
- Celebrations: The saint’s relic is displayed every ten years on the anniversary of the saint’s death. His liturgical feast is December 3rd.
- Other attractions: Huge statue of ST. Ignatius and Francis Xavier of Loyola.
The church schedule is as follows:
- Monday to Saturday: 09:00 am in the morning and 06:30 pm in the evening
- Sunday: 10:30am to 6:30pm.
[Read More: Churches In Goa]
4. Malayan Church:
Although there are no churches in India, this Christian pilgrimage site in Kerala is one of the oldest churches in the country. The church was built by St. Thomas and still stands on the top of the hill. This Christian pilgrimage can be seen anywhere in the city.
The Malayato Church is considered a shrine used by the Apostle St Thomas and is one of the most important places of worship and pilgrimage for Christians in India.
St Thomas is believed to have fled to the mountain after receiving death threats from locals, where he spent days beginning prayers and leaving his footprints on one of the rocks.
- Church Day: All days of the week.
- Place: On the Malayattoor hill.
- how can I get there: Malayatoor is located in Ernakulam and thus has a good connection with the world around it. Angamali Cochin International Airport is the nearest railway station and is well connected by road. During the Hajj, the state government has a special car to pick up and drop off.
- Celebrations: Every year on the first Sunday after Easter, there is a pilgrimage in the name of the saint.
- Other attractions: The rock that is thought to have been touched by the bloody saint.
The church schedule is as follows:
- Masses are held throughout the day at 9.30am.
- Mass on Sunday at 7.30am and 9.30am.
The first Friday night vigil of the month begins at Foothills at 7pm.
5. Welankane Church:
Among the church types in India, this is one of the most popular Christian places of worship in the country. The word “Velankanni” means “Lourdes of the East”. According to legend, priests healed their ailments by offering sacrifices to their mothers.
Built in 1771 to commemorate the Virgin Mary, it is one of the most famous Christian churches in India. The history of the church is built on the wonders of the region passed down as oral tales. However, these stories are not recorded.
The architecture of the cathedral is Gothic. The cathedral was further expanded in 1928 and 1933. The buildings are painted white and the roofs are made of red tiles.
- Church Day: All days of the week.
- Place: on the beach of the Bay of Bengal.
- how can I get there: Velankanni can reach the civilian airport in Tiruchirappalli through the airport. Velankanni has its train station and is easily accessible from the rest of the country.
- Celebrations: The pilgrimage is usually held from August 29 to September 6 and during the Christmas period. One event in the parade was held only by women. Pilgrims of other faiths also visit the church.
The church schedule is as follows:
Monday to Friday:
- 5.40am: Morning prayers at Wellankane Cathedral.
- 6:00 am: Mass in Tamil at Welankane Cathedral.
- 7:00 am: Tamil Mass at the Lower Cathedral in Velankani.
- 8:00 am: Telugu Mass at the Cathedral in Velankani.
- 9:00 am: Mass in Malayalam at Vilankani Lower Church.
- 10:00 am: Mass in English at the Lower Church of Welankane.
- 11:00 am: Mass in Hindi at the Velankani Upper Cathedral.
- 12:00 noon: Tamil Mass in the Temple of Velankani.
- 6:00 PM: Rosary and rosary in Tamil followed by a Tamil Mass at the Lower Cathedral in Welankani.
Sunday: 5:30 am to 6:00 pm.
6. Santa Cruz Cathedral:
This church was built by the Portuguese in the 15th century. In 1558, the church was converted into a cathedral by the reigning Pope Paul IV. The church was named after Pope John Paul II in the 19th century. This is the only sacred building that was not destroyed when the Dutch invaded the city and destroyed other Catholic buildings.
Considered one of Kerala’s eight heritage buildings, Santa Cruz Cathedral was built by the Portuguese and later elevated to cathedral status by Pope Paul IV in 1558. The building was demolished during the British era, and its reconstruction was commissioned in 1887, consecrated in 1905, and re-proclaimed as a cathedral by Pope John Paul II in 1984.
- Church Day: All days of the week.
- Place: Cochin, Kerala.
- how can I get there: Cochin International Airport will be your nearest airport, upon arrival you can choose to rent a taxi to go to the church. Cochin is well connected by rail and road. You can travel to Cochin by frequent public and private buses.
- Celebrations: The feast of Lady Fatima takes place from the evening of December 6th to 31st.
- Other attractions: The exterior of the church is white, the interior is pastel, and it is decorated with many paintings and glass paintings. It draws the Last Supper based on Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting. The model of the church is derived from the Indo-Gothic architectural style.
The church schedule is as follows:
Monday to Saturday:
- 6:00 am, 7:00 am and 6:00 pm;
- Wednesday: Mass in English at 6:00 pm.
- Evening Mass is also held every Saturday at 5:00 pm.
Sunday:
- 5:30am, 6:45am (Missa pro-Populo),
- 8:00am and 9:15am; around 5:30pm (English).
- Mass on the last Sunday of the month is in Latin.
7. Vallarpadam Church:
Vallarpadam Church was built in the 15th century and is dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In the 15th century, the Dutch came to destroy all Catholic buildings, including this church. It was rebuilt in the late 16th century and currently stands in Cochin, Kerala. The federal government of India called the church very holy.
The National Shrine of Our Lady of Ransom in Vallarpadam is considered very sacred and is the only apparition of the Virgin Mary in India approved by the Holy See. The Virgin Mary of Vallarpadam is said to have saved hundreds of devotees from storms over time. A great flood destroyed a church built by the Portuguese. In 1524, merchants under Vasco da Gama brought pictures of the baby Jesus and mother Mary.
- Church Day: All days of the week.
- Place: Cochin, Kerala.
- how can I get there: Like the other churches in Ernakulam, getting here is easy as there are rail, air and road connections. There are frequent private and public buses running across the state and connecting to Ernakulam, once you reach Ernakulam, you can hire a taxi or Uber to get to the shrine.
Other attractions: The tombstone of Vasco da Gama is one of the main attractions of this church.
The church schedule is as follows:
Saturday:
- At 6:30 a.m.,…