Migration History of St. Mary’s Church Pandallur

Nasrani Migration in Kerala:

           Available historical records testify that the migration to Malabar from the princely states of Travancore and Kochi started in 1926. There are many reasons behind this migration, like population growth, lack of agricultural land, debt and poverty. The earliest migrations were to the Kuttyadi region.

           During 1930-31, the settlers camped in the Maruthonkara parts of Kulatuvayal. In 1942 and in subsequent years, 'Chetanmars' from Travancore arrived in the Kodanchery-Tiruvambadi region. In the years 1946-48 organized migrations also took place to Pariapuram and Nenmeni in Malappuram district. Lands that used to be forest lands belonging to Devaswams became gold-bearing lands with the sweat and blood of immigrants. Epidemics, wild animal encroachment and famine made it difficult for many families to survive, but many held on through hard work and faith in God.

Settlement: Nenmeni, Pandallur

           In 1932, Kandathil Mamman Mappila, the owner of the Manorama Newspaper, bought 750 acres of barren land belonging to Kozhikode Samoothiri Kovilakam and started coconut cultivation; but due to the disturbance of wild animals, it became a failure. Then he took the initiative to bring Christians from Kottayam district to the region. He assured them that in the then Nenmeni-Pandallur areas of the Kozhikode istrict, a lot of vacant land would be available for purchase at a low price, and also offered them the necessary facilities to build a church. In 1946, under the leadership of Shri. Thomas Muttath, around fifty people settled in the Nenmeni Pandallur hills from Chirakadavu- Kanjirapally region.

           They came as a trial experiment and without taking their family. The following were the first settlers of Nenmeni Pandallur; Autha Kuzhippallil, Maripuram Autha, Manjadiyil Mathew, Athirakulangara Kunjappan, Ponnath Kochu, Vayalil Mathew, Kulavattam Abraham, Devasia Muttath, Kuzhimattathil Appachi, Kulavattom Thommikunju, Appachan Muttath, Perinjerimannil Ouseph, Kuttivelil Aprem, Kochuparambil Kutty and Athirakulangara Aprem. Except these people, the rest of them went back. Subsequently, Vettikattu Georgekutty, Vettikkattu Stensilaus (Appachan), Vettikattu Dominic and Tekeparampil Joseph joined them. They had a hard toil with the forest and the soil, but their progress was hampered by pestilence and by the attack of wild animals.

           When they cleared the forests and planted coconut saplings, the pest of the borer rats became a big threat. Mappila meanwhile saw that the borer rats were destroying the coconut saplings and used a technique to set a price per rat for those who caught the rats. Migrants who were under financial pressure made use of this opportunity and harnessed gain out of it.

           They had a staunch faith in God and that was their only strength to overcome the adverse conditions. During that time the faithful had to walk 20 kilometers to reach Perinthalmanna Church to attend the Holy Mass. After six years in 1951, the then Vicar of Perinthalmanna Latin Church, Fr. Joseph Pazheparambil said that if they could build a shed, he would come to Nanmeni and offer Mass occasionally. Taking this as a great sign of divine intervention, the migrant community built a small shed in the yard of Kochuparambil Kutty and Fr. Pazheparambil came from Perinthalmanna and offered the Holy Mass. Two years later, Sri Vettikkattu Georgekutty offered two acres of land for the church and constructed a slightly larger shed on the site where Nenmeni Church now stands. Fr. D'Souza performed the spiritual services for the residents of Nenmeni-Pandallur hills after 1954.

           It was on this occasion that a new Syro Malabar Diocese was granted to Malabar region for the first time with its headquarters in Thalassery. Mar Sebastian Vallopilli was appointed from Rome as the first bishop. In 1954, Fr Justinian CMI took charge as the first vicar of Nenmeni church. Then Fr. Marselius CMI (1957-63), Fr. Halanzios CMI (1963-66), and Fr. John Payyampally CMI (1966-68), ministered at Nenmeni Church. In 1968, the diocesan priest Fr. Raphael Tharayil was the vicar. During this time, after more families came to Pandallur area, the people of Pandallur informed Fr. Tharayil about their desire to have a shrine at Pandallur Hills. Accordingly, a new shrine (Kurishupalli) was constructed there and he came there to offer Holy Mass on all Sundays. Shri. Stensilaos Vettikattu had already donated two acres of land for Pandallur church. When Bishop Mar Sebastian Vallopilli was approached with a request to establish a parish, he insisted that half an acre of land for the cemetery along with the church must be purchased. Shri. Ephraim Kadakuzha gave half an acre of land for the cemetery. The parishioners built a temporary shed and on June 22, 1968, Fr.Tharayil offered the Holy Mass. Along with this, a presbyterial house with essential facilities was also built. From then on all Sundays Holy Mass and Catechism classes were conducted.

           After Fr Raphael, Fr Philip Murinjakallel and Fr Thomas Pulickal were the vicars in Nenmeni and managed the spiritual needs of Pandallur Church. However, the desire to make Pandallur an independent parish was raised before the Bishop of Thalassery. Accordingly, on 2nd July 1973, St Mary’s Church, Pandallur came into being as a parish and Fr Abraham Porunnolil (1973-74) was appointed as the Vicar. Shri. John Vettikkattu was appointed as accountant and Sunday School Headmaster.

           When the Parish was started there were about 60 families.The following are the families who lived here during that time. Vettikkattu, Kadakuzha, Elavungal, Nelluvelil, Kappalumakal, Kulavattam, Manjadiyil, Perincherimannil, Vaddakeperincherimannil, Chakkupurakkal, Vayalil, Vayalilkalappura, Athirakulangara, Vadakedathu, Anchanikal, Kayyaniyil, Karuvellil, Madukakuzhi, Meledath, Kochuparakkal, Mukadan. Iyyalil, Pulluvelil Muttath, Mavelikunnel, Thannimoottil, Elanjipuram, Kottakal, Kochupurakkal, Kallurumpil, Thottapalli, Kannamkulath, Manjapallikunnel, Neriyamparampil, Puthuparampil, Kallarakkal, Kottayil, Arakkal, Kunnapally, Thekkethodiyil, Embrayil, Thanuvelil.

           After Fr. Abraham Porunnolil, Fr. Sebastian Vazhakkattu served here for 5 years (1974-79). And it is gratefully remembered that the present Sunday School building, Cherupushpa Arts and Sports Club, widening of Kottamala road and Kakkarathodu bridge are the result of the efforts of Fr. Vazhakkattu. Then Fr. Mathew Onayathumkuzhy (1979-81) came as vicar. The nursery class was started during this period. The next three years Fr Joseph Korattiparambil was the vicar and during the period (1981-84) the church services were made more devotional and Sunday school activities were intensified. A pump set was also installed.

           The construction of the new church started during the time of Fr. George Paruthappara (1984-88). On May 3, 1987, the foundation stone of the church was laid by Bishop Mar Sebastian Manguzhikary, the first Bishop of Thamarassery Diocese. It was during this period of Fr Paruthappara that a good portion of the church was constructed, along with the construction of the water tank and electricity connection. It is remembered with pride and gratitude that Father's strong leadership is behind Pandallur Parish winning the trophy for the best Sunday School in Mariapuram Forane for four consecutive years.

           Fr. Joseph Kunnel CMI (1988-91) who came in as Vicar, completed the construction of the church. On June 14, 1989, the Bishop of Thamarassery Diocese Mar Sebastian Manguzhikary performed the dedication ceremony (blessed) of the new church. On May 27, 1990, a house of FCC (Franciscan Clarist Congregation) nuns named Sanjo FC Convent was started in the parish. The development work that he himself initiated in Pandallur area is highly commendable and priceless. The roads to Kottamala and Talakuth were made and bus route got approval to Pandallur Hills. Necessary steps have been taken to provide phone connectivity in this area. A beautiful ground has been built. He also contributed to the growth of Cherupushpam arts and sports club and bought a TV for the club.

           The next vicar Fr. John Panakkapally (1991-93) constructed a common burial tomb at the cemetery and walled it up and carried out rubber re-plantation. During the tenure of Fr Chandy Kurishummootil (1993-96) a rubber roller and associated shed was constructed. The overall painting of the church including the beautiful painting of the alter was done. And with the cooperation of the parishioners, a new house was constructed and given to Shri. Ummar at Thekkumpad.

           After Fr Chandy, Fr Devassia Valiyaparambil served as the Vicar for three years till 1999. During the tenure of Fr. Johnson Pazhukunnel (1999-2000) many administrative reforms were implemented. He renovated the residence of the Vicar to a new building. The year 2002-2003 was served by Fr. Siby Pulickal as the vicar and later in 2003 he got appointed as a Professor at The Mangalapuzha Seminary, Aluva.

           Former Vicar General of Thamarassery Diocese Rev. Fr. Joseph Keelath was appointed as the Vicar after that (2003-06). He was diligent in leading the parishioners to the love and fellowship of God the Father with paternal affection. In the years 2006-08 the vicar was Fr Thomas Kalarikkal. During this time the parish hall was built and houses were built for two of the most deserving families in the parish. Fr. Milton Mulangassery followed Fr. Thomas as vicar and led many spiritual revivals during 2008-2011. Fr. Jojo Manjakazhakunnel served the parish as vicar for one year 2011-12 after Fr. Milton. He was followed by Fr Francis Naduvathettu who came to the diocese after 30 years of mission work in Jharkhand. During that time the Sunday School teachers made a visit to  Jharkhand mission centers for a week along with Fr Francis.

           After him Fr. Sijo Pulimoottil became the vicar (2015-2017). He served the parish for two years followed by Fr. Sebastian Panamattamparambil (2017-21). As a result of his work for four years, many construction works were carried out such as football ground maintenance, wall around the church etc.

           Serving since May 2021, Fr. Mathew Thittail (Shibin) is fully involved in the path of all-round progress of the parish. As part of the golden jubilee of the parish, the construction of a house for a poor family in the parish, the construction of a Kappela in Kadukkacity which was a long-term goal, and other activities in the spiritual and material fields of the parish are worth mentioning.