St. Joseph’s Latin Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral Palayam — Attraction in Kerala

St.Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Palyam

St.Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral is situated opposite the Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium at Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram. It is the Cathedral Church of the Latin Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram. It is also known as Palayam Palli and a Roman Catholic cathedral.

This 137-year old grand monumental Gothic structure had a moderate beginning. The initial Church was constructed in 1873 as a Parish Church to look after the spiritual needs of a few Catholic military men and a few Catholic families who mainly migrated from the coastal region of erstwhile Travancore state, comprising of the present Kanyakumari and Trivandrum Districts.

The very name Palayam has its etymological meaning a ‘Cantonment’ i.e., the Military’s residence.

On May 4th, 1873 the first Church was blessed by the then Bishop of Quilon Most Rev.Eldaphonese OCD and Rev.Fr.Emygdius OCD, the Parish Priest.

The Second phase of extension work in the manner of the Cross was done in 1912 during the tenure of Rev,Fr.Pancratius OCD. And the final stage of extension, including the Gothic style imposing front and the bell-tower was completed in 1927 during the time of Rev.Fr.Ildephonse OCD.

The three ‘Do-Re-Me’ synchronizing bells were brought from Belgium and were installed. These bells were named Joseph, Xavier, and Aloysius to denote St.Joseph the Patron of the Church, St.Francis Xavier, the Apostle of India and Bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger the pioneer Missionary-Bishop of Quilon respectively.

When the Quilon Diocese was bifurcated and the new diocese of Thiruvananthapuram was formed on 1st July 1937, St.Joseph’s Church became the Cathedral Church of the newly formed Thiruvananthapuram Diocese. And when His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. M. Soosa Pakiam was made the Archbishop and the Diocese of Thiruvananthapuram became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram in 2000, St.Joseph’s Cathedral was also raised to the status of the Metropolitan Cathedral.

This Cathedral Parish has 1780 families grouped into 45 Family Units. The total Population of the Parish is 7890.

Three Holy Masses are held on week-days and 6 Holy Masses on Sundays. Besides the Holy Masses, there are Novenas to St.Antony, St.Joseph, St.Jude, and Perpetual Succor on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday respectively.

There is regular Sunday Catechism Classes on Sundays from 8.45 a.m. to 10.00 a.m. Confessions are heard in the Cathedral Church on every day from 5.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. Sacrament of Baptism is administered on all Sundays at 12.00 Noon.

Weddings are solemnized on all days except on Sundays in consultation with the Parish Priest. Funerals are conducted at the Parish Cemetery at Pattoor. Memorial services are conducted at the Pattoor Cemetery Chapel and intentions for the deceased are included in the Holy Mass, offered at the Cathedral.

The Parish Office is open from 8.30 a.m. to 12.00 Noon and from 4.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. on all days except Sundays and Days of Obligations. Cathedral Priests can be met at anytime from 9.00 a.m. to 12.00 Noon and 4.00 p.m. to 8.00 p.m. on all days except on Sundays and Feast days.

The major renovation and restoration of St.Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral was begun on 31st August, 2008.

The Cathedral renovation work was completed as schedule by April 2010.

St. Joseph with the child Jesus in the center of the facade and a statue of Jesus with his hands raised on top the tower. The statue of St. Joseph was brought from Italy by Father Broacard and the Statue of Jesus atop the tower too came from Italy.

Photos by Viswas Menon © Viswas Menon Write up compiled by...

This cathedral is also known as Palayam Palli, and it is located at Palayam. The church is 137-year-old heritage one. The initial church was built in 1873. The church was blessed by Rev.Eldaphonese OCD , Bishop of Quilon and the Parish Priest, Rev.Fr.Emygdius OCD. St. Joseph's Metropolitan Cathedral is a grand Gothic monument that began as a small parish church in 1873 to serve the local Christian families of Palayam, as it does even today. Dedicated to Saint Joseph, the original structure underwent major changes between 1912 to 1927 with the extension of its structure in the form of a cross and the addition of a Gothic style bell tower. The church is considered to be one of the imposing religious landmarks of the city and is under the aegis of Metropolitan Archdiocese of Trivandrum that carried out most of the extensive renovations beginning from 2008. Interestingly, during these renovations, upon the recommendation of Archaeological Department of Kerala, the color of the walls were changed to white from brick red, which gave a false impression that the church was made of bricks. Open on all days, the church has daily prayer service as well as scheduled weekly religious events. Some extension work has done in 1912. Gothic style facade and the bell-tower were placed during the second stage of extension in 1937 . Three bells brought from Belgium were arranged in the bell tower, named Joseph, Xavier, and Aloysius. The Patron of the Church- St. Joseph, the Apostle of India- St. Francis Xavier, the pioneer Missionary-Bishop of Quilon- Bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger were honoured and the bells were installed on behalf of them. On the first July of 1937, a new diocese of Thiruvananthapuram was formed. The St. Joseph’s Church then became the part of the newly formed diocese. In 2004, the cathedral was named as St. Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral as the diocese was raised to a metropolitan archdiocese. Chapel, church, basilica, and cathedral are the four different classes of Christian worship centres. The cathedral is a larger place of worship than a church. The cathedral is under the control of bishop. St. Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral is the major Christen worship centre in Trivandrum. Because of its Architecture style causes the number of tourists is attracted to here. Architecturally, the church is a magnificent example of Gothic style. Gothic builds are recognized by its arches, flying buttresses, stained glass window, and ribbed vaults. Pointed arch is another characteristic of the gothic structure, it would give amazing strength and stability to the structures. The facade is constructed in Gothic style. Gothic Architecture style began in France, where architects were inspired by the Romanesque Architecture style. The attractive feature of the gothic structure is that it brings enough sunlight into the building. The grandeur of its notable features, such as spires, domes, or stained glass leaves visitors in awe and showcases the remarkable craftsmanship...

St.Joseph’s Metropolitan Cathedral, Palayam, Trivandrum, is the Cathedral Church of the Latin Archdiocese of Trivandrum

This 137-year old grand monumental Goethic structure has a moderate beginning. The initial Church was constructed in 1873 as a Parish Church to look after the spiritual needs of a few Catholic military men and a few Catholic families who mainly migrated from the coastal region of earstwhile Travancore state, comprising of the present Kanyakumari and Trivandrum Districts. The very name Palayam has its ethymological meaning a ‘Contonment’ ie, the Military’s residence. On May 4th, 1873 the first Church was blessed by the then Bishop of Quilon Most Rev.Eldaphonese OCD and Rev.Fr.Emygdius OCD, the Parish Priest.

The Second phase of extention work in the manner of the Cross was done in 1912 during the tenure of Rev,Fr.Pamcratius OCD. And the final stage of extention, including the Goethic style imposing front and the bell-tower was completed in1927 during the time of Rev.Fr.Ildaphonse OCD. The three ‘Do-Re-Me’ syncronising bells were brought from Belgium and were installed. These bells were named Joseph, Xavier, and Aloysius to denote St.Joseph the Patron of the Church, St.Francis Xavier, the Apostole of India and Bishop Aloysius Maria Benziger the pioneer Missionary-Bishop of Quilon respectively.

When the Quilon Diocese was bifurcated and the new diocese of Trivandrum was formed on 1st July 1937, St.Joseph’s Church became the Cathedral Church of the newly formed Trivandrum Diocese. And when His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. M. Soosapakiam was made the Archbishop and the Diocese of Trivandrum became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Trivandrum in 2000, St.Joseph’s Cathedral was also raised to the status of the...