Profile

St. Mary's Assumption Church at Kottekkad is a historic and picturesque landmark situated in a remote village under Thrissur, the cultural capital of Kerala.The church stands as one of the oldest under the Archdiocese of Thrissur.

Located on the Thrissur-Viyyur-Mundur road, it is only 7 km away from the bustling temple town of Thrissur, making it easily accessible while maintaining its peaceful ambiance.

History

St. Mary's Assumption Church in Kottekkad was built in 1000 AD and was dedicated to Mother Mary,becoming a central place of worship in the region.


The Fathima Cupola, constructed in 1952 by Rev. Fr. George Nellissery, is located outside the church compound and serves as a significant pilgrimage site where thousands of devotees, irrespective of religion, come to offer prayers and seek blessings from Mother Mary.
The Fathima Cupola is recognized as one of the five Marian pilgrimage centers of the Thrissur Archdiocese, enhancing the church's spiritual importance.

Within the parish boundaries, there are three convents belonging to CMC, Christu Dasi, and St. Ann's, which collectively contribute to society by running a primary school, an old age home, and an orphanage.

The Kottekkad parish was elevated to the status of a forane church in 6th January 2005. The parishes of Viyyur, Kuttur, Kolengattukara, Choolissery, Varadium, Valappaya, Avanoor, Mundur and Peramangalam are under the Kottekkad forane church at present.

Christian families at Vadakancherry, Thiroor, Cheroor, Mundur, Peramangalam, Ambakkad, Puranattukkara, Varadium (1963), Kolengattukkara (1986), Kuttur, which were once within the boundary of Kottekkad, had built churches of their own and become independent parishes.


The church was demolished in 2017 to make way for a new Church. After 6 years of reconstruction, the new Church had its first Holy Mass, led by Mar Andrews Thazhath, on 25 November 2023.At present the parish comprises 1062 families, organized into 31 family units.