St Louis Church, Mundamveli
St. Louis Church (Santiyago Church) is situated in Mundamveli, Kochi in the Indian state of Kerala. 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 the 3rd Parish in West Kochi, after Edakochi and Mattancherry.
History
The first church (St. Mary's) was originally constructed by Saint Thomas Christians of Maanaassery near the Arabian sea in the 9th century, 2 km from the south-west location of today's St. Michael's church Maanaassery. In the 10th century this was the biggest parish in West Kochi.
The church was built in 1868. That structure, including the second and third churches, was destroyed by a 15th-century tsunami and is now under water. In the 17th century, Portuguese missionaries built a new church. In the 19th century (AD 1808) the church burned down. Due to continued flooding the church was moved to its present location in Mundamveli. This is the 5th church, and was inaugurated on June 20, 1868. The parish cemetery of Mundamveli (Yacob Sleeha church) has named the new church "St. Louis". The church was renovated for its 130th anniversary on November 16, 1997.
In 1605 the West Kochi Syrianchurches: Edakochi, Mattancherry, and Maanaassery (Mundamveli) were converted to Latin churches.
Parishes including 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, and Santhome St. Thomas's were separated from Mundamveli parish in earlier years.
Festivals
The biggest celebration of this church is the feast of St. Jacob (called Santhyapunnyalan by the people of Mundamveli), celebrated every December 30.
Other feasts celebrated include: St. Sebastian, 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.
