You are on page 1of 1

St. Louis Church (Santiyago Church) is situated in Mundamveli, Kochi, Kerala, India.

It is 9 km from
the Ernakulam Junction railway station and 42 km from Cochin International Airport. It is one of the
oldest and most popular churches in Kerala and this is the 3rd Parish in West
Kochi after Edakochi and Mattancherry.This Historically Portuguese Significant church was built in
1868. According to the ancestors[who?], the first church (St. Mary's) was constructed by Saint Thomas
Christians of Maanaassery near the Arabian sea in 9th century which is situated at a distance of
2 km from the south-west location of today's St. Michael's church Maanaassery. That church was
destroyed by tsunami in 15th century, and is now underwater. The 2nd and 3rd Churches also
happened the same incident. In 17th century Portuguese missionaries built a new church in
Maanaassery [Today's parish cemetery of Mundamveli (Yacob Sleeha church)]and they changed the
name to 'St.Louis'. In 19th century (AD 1808) the church was burnt by fire. Due to continuous
inundation by the sea the church was moved to its present location (Mundamveli). This is the 5th
church, and was inaugurated in 20 June 1868.
In the 10th century this was the biggest parish in West Kochi because these parishes like
Chellaanam St. Sebastian's, Kandakkadavu St. Francis Xavier's, Kannamaaly St. Antony's,
Cheriyakadavu St. Joseph's, Kaattipparambu St. Francis Assisi's, Maanaassery St. Michael's,
Chirackal St. Joseph's, Palluruthy St. Thomas More's, Thoppumpady St. Sebastian's, Chullickal St.
Joseph's, Nazareth Holy Family, Santhome St. Thomas's, are separated from Mundamveli parish in
earlier years. The church was renovated on the occasion of its 130th anniversary on 16 November
1997.
In 1605 in West Kochi Cyriyan churches like Edakochi, Mattancherry, and Maanaassery
(Mundamveli), were converted to Latin churches. The biggest celebration of this church is related to
the feast of St. Jacob (Santhyapunnyalan, called by the people of Mundamveli), celebrated every
year on December 30. Lakh of people even from different parts of India. Other feasts celebrated
include: St. Sebastain, St. Joseph Infant Jesus, Our Lady Of Liberation, Our Lady Of Ambaro, St.
Louis, St. Francis Xavier, St. Francis of Assisi, Sacred Heart, and St. Theresa.

You might also like