Immaculate Conception Church, Kuthalur, Sivaganga
The
Roman Catholic Church dedicated to "Immaculate Conception" is the
largest and oldest church in the surroundings which was built in 1860's by
French Missionaries. It is governed by the diocese of Sivagangai. Today, it has crossed 150 years of service and walking
with Glory. The church was fully donated by an unknown German Lady and the
Mother Mary's Statue in the main altar was imported from Germany.
The
Kuthalur village was called "Chinna Colombo" (Little Colombo) by
the surrounding people, as the villagers (especially the Christians) have
traveled and worked in Colombo (Sri Lanka) and Rangoon (also known as Yangoon, Capital of Myanmar) prior
to India's Independence.
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 grand 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 its 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
Centennial Jubilee
The
Centennial Jubilee was celebrated in 1970, in a Grand manner by the villagers
through the guidance of the then Parish priest Fr. Saleth for one week. The
current entrance hall (mandapam) was constructed during the 100th year jubilee. Also,
the church was fully renovated and re-painted during that occasion.
In 1993,
Fr. K. Jesuraj, the then parish priest renovated the whole Church. The
current Tabernacle & the Calvary Painting behind the altar was done during this
Renovation. Fr. Susairaj, the then parish priest, did the major repair work and
repainted the Church in 2004. The grotto dedicated to Our Lady of Lourdes was constructed by Fr. K. V. Paul in April 1955.
150-Year
Jubilee Celebrations
In 2010,
Immaculate Conception Church, Kuthalur celebrated its 150-year jubilee. The
local Christian community planned and celebrated the festival in a grand manner
by uniting all the sons and daughters of the soil those who have migrated from
the village for various reasons to other places and abroad. A committee was
formed to renovate the Church and organize the festival. The function was
celebrated on May 2011. Regular masses along with weekly masses have been
conducted by the Parish Priest, who has a residence inside the church campus.
Church
Architecture
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 Sacristy behind the altar. So, this structure makes the
church as + shape in the aerial view. The entire building was made
of Brick, Chunnammu Chanthu (Lime Mortar), Kadukkai (Palmira
Seed Mortar) and with the mixture of Egg White.
There
are some unconfirmed information that the glasses in the middle dome were
imported from Italy. The inner walls of the church once had unique
paintings and due to the damage in the paintings, those walls were repainted
with colours.
Education
The
Catholicism has served the local community & the neighborhood towards
quality education. The current St. Sebastian High School was
established on 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,
Discipline & Moral. The school has also helped the RC community in Kuthalur
to have 100% literacy rate (through the influence of the priests & nuns)
and provided foundation to seek for Higher Education up to College level. Today,
many people from RC Community are spread across the globe. The school campus
also houses the Convent of Immaculate conception since the beginning the 20th
century.
Connectivity
Kuthalur is
a village which is located in Sivagangai District of Tamilnadu. It is located at a distance of 10 kms from Karaikudi towards Sivagangai. Nearest Railway Station is located at Karaikudi and
Nearest Airport is located at Madurai.
