Kuthalur: Difference between revisions

Kuthalur is a village which is located in Sivagangai District, Tamilnadu, India, 10KM from Karaikudi towards Sivagangai. The village was called as "Chinna Colombo" (Little Colombo) by the surrounding people, as the villagers (especially the Christians) have travelled & worked in Colombo & Rangoon prior to India's Independence.

It has about 600 families with the head of 1000+ people. The majority people in the village are following and it also has considerable amount of Roman Catholics.

The Roman Catholic Church dedicated to "Immaculate Conception" is the largest & oldest Church in the surroundings which was built in 1860's by French Missionaries.Today, it has crossed 150 years of service and walking with Glory. The Church was fully donated by a unknown German Lady and the Mother Mary's Statue in the main altar was imported from Germany.

The Church resembles the Gothic Architecture of France, which has a main circular Dome in the center with two front domes at the entrance of the Church. Also, the Church was constructed with a Main Wing, two side Wings along with the Sacrist behind the Altar. So, this structure makes the Church as + shape in the aerial view. The entire building was made of Brick, Chunnammu Chanthu, Kadukkai & with the mixture of Egg. There are unconfirmed information that the glasses in the middle dome are imported from Italy

The inner walls of the Church have unique paintings, due to damages in the painting, those walls are painted with Colours.

The Centinial Jubilee was Celebrated in 1970, in a Grant manner by the villagers through the guidance of then Parish Priest Fr. Saleth for one week. The current entrance hall (mandapam) has been constructed during the 100th year Jubilee. Also, the Church was fully renovated & re-painted during this occassion.

In 1993, Fr. K. Jesuraj, then Parish Priest has again renovated the whole Church. The current Tabernacle & the Calvary Painting behind the altar was done during this Renovation.

Fr. Susairaj, then Parish Priest has done the major repair work & repainted the Church in 2004.

The Grotto : The grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes was constructed by Fr. K.V. Paul in April 1955.

Importance to St. Sebastian: Prior to the current Church, the natives of Kuthalur had a small church (Kurusadi) in the middle street dedicated to St. Sebastian. St. Sebastian's Novena has been celebrated in a grant manner in the Second Week of January to thank him for being the patron of the Catholic Community in Kuthalur.Even, today the neighborhood people call IC Church as Sebasthiar Kovil. The local catholic community has the custom to celebrate St. Sebastian's Feast every year with a Car procession.

The Church celebrates it's annual festival in the last week of May with a car procession & also the villagers celebrates St. Sebastian's festival with a car procession during third week of May.

The Catholism has served the local community & the neighbourhood towards quality education. The current St. Sebastian High School was established in 1933 as a primary School with intention to the serve the poor. It is the oldest school in the region and well known for Quality Teaching, Discipiline & Moral. It has produced many good seeds those who are serving in various sectors.

Immaculate Conception Church