உலகிலேயே பழமையான தேவாலயம் | திருவிதாங்கோடு ஆரப்பள்ளி தேவாலயம்|திருவிதாங்கோடு | வட்டம் | கன்னியாகுமரி | தமிழ்நாடு
Thomayar Kovil, or St Mary's Orthodox church, is a hidden gem in the quaint town of Thiruvithamcode, in Kanyakumari district. It is believed to be among the oldest church structures in the world, consecrated by the apostle St Thomas himself in AD 63.
It is believed by the Christian communities in Kerala that the historic Thiruvithamcode Arappally church as named by the Chera King Uthiyan Cheralathan, was built by St. Thomas, known as the Apostle of India, in 63 AD. It is believed to be the world's oldest existing church structure, and is now declared an international St. Thomas pilgrim center. This church is 45ft in length, 15ft broad and 10ft in height. This church is constructed fully with granite stone.
It claims to be the world's oldest church that still has daily prayers and India's oldest church that hasn't been reconstructed till now. The church has three main parts built in the 17th century and a 20th-century entrance hall. Its walls are built of locally quarried stone, chiseled with a multi-tipped chisel, a technique known in Kerala and possibly introduced there by foreign contact in the 16th century.
Map: https://goo.gl/maps/JTkd5WCEvWvZS3q97
#OldestChurch #Church #Arappally #Thiruvithamcode #Kanyakumari #Kerala #TamilNadu
