First Christian Church in India: Know its whereabouts and history.
Palayur is famous for the Christian St. Thomas Church which, as per beliefs, was founded by St. Thomas, the Apostle in 52 AD and hence was the first Christian Church in India.
The Apostle came at Kodungallur in 52 AD to spread Christ’s message and as per history, he came by sea to Palayur and built the Church. P
Palayur is also known for other significance from the first century like the ancient Jewish settlement called as the Jews’ Hill and Palayur’s connectivity with other ancient trade centres of Kerala, especially Muziris, by rivers and backwaters.
All three renowned St.Thomas churches at Palayur, Kodungallur and Parur are connected together by the river and backwaters opening out into the sea at Chettuwa, Kodungalloor and Kochi. Many visitors from Arabia, Rome, China and Portuguese visited India in ancient times and landed in this coastal strip.
The initial Christian conversion in India, it is believed, started in Kerala. Soon after, people from the North embraced Christianity.
There is a small pond called “Thaliyakulam” near church where St Thomas baptized his first Christian converts.
The St. Thomas Church is a typical South Indian normal Church and its complex accommodates a museum which opens by 08.00 AM.