Part of the Diocese of Pala and Kuravilangad Forane Church
Founded in 1911 and celebrates its 103rd anniversary in 2015
The strength of the parish is its families, more than 350 of them
Even though the foundation for Vayala parish church was laid in 1911, it was only in 1917 that a priest started staying here. There was a wait for around 25 years for the region to become an independent parish, which happened in 1936. Even before that happened, people of Puthennangadi, erected a small shed (panthal) in the Vayala-Kadaplamattam roadside, and conducted a spiritual procession on the feast day of St. Sebastian, to pray for the cure of smallpox which had spread in the area then. Many people were cured of the disease after this happened. From 1928, a procession was held every year on the day before the main fest day of the church, till the shed which was in Puthenangadi. The shed was built on the 2 and ½ cents of land donated by Kunjako Kuzhivelil, Ulahannan Kulamamthattel, and Kunjipope Thadathel.
After some years 7 and ½ cents of land were purchased where the chapel stands now with the money raised from the public. An adjoining 5 cents of land was purchased from Xavier Kannuvettiyel in exchange of the earlier land where the shed stood. Along with this, George Thadathilputhenpura too donated 3 and ½ cents of adjoining land which belonged to him, which made up the total of 16 and ½ cents of land of the church, now in the area.
On 6th October 1977, the then vicar Fr. Garvasis Kandanatt laid the foundation stone for the new chapel. George Mathew Thadathilputhenpura was appointed as the convener; Ouseph John Thaikkattuthara and Jacob Kurien Thekkumkattil were the appointed committee members for the construction of the chapel. Fr. Mathew Thondamkuzhy became vicar of the parish in 1979 and the construction of the chapel was completed. On 2nd May 1980, mar Sebastian Vayalil, the then Bishop of Pala diocese, blessed and inaugurated the chapel in the name of St. Joseph.
The chapel stands tall as a monument of the faith, helpfulness, and love of the people around. Every artifact in the chapel was donated by the good and generous people of the area. The statue of St. Joseph in the chapel was bought from Mylapoor and donated by Ouseph Devassia Thaikkattuthara.
The chapel is located at a distance of 2 kilometers from Kadaplamattam, 3 and ½ kms from Vayala parish church, and 4 and ½ kms from Koodalloor church. Permission was granted by the Bishop to offer Holy Mass in the chapel on every Sunday. Special prayers and rosary to Mother Mary is offered on 10 days in October. Sacraments like baptism, matrimony etc are also done from time to time. On 19th March every year, the feast day of St. Joseph, celebrations, special prayers, and offerings are held in the chapel.
When the 25th anniversary of the chapel came in the year 2005, the then vicar Fr. Joseph Kochuparambil took initiative and did repair jobs for the chapel and replaces the roof tiles with asbestos sheets. Ruined timber fittings where replaced with iron girders. The chapel underwent other renovations, painting works, and beautifications too.
On the feast day of Christ the King in 2010, when Fr. Joseph Idathumparambil was the vicar, it was decided in a meeting that to build a sacristy room which adjoined the chapel and the chapel be extended by 15 feet in length. For the cause, it was decided to accept donations from people in the nearby parish wards and the rest of the money be allocated from the parish church. George Mathew Thadathilputhenpura was chosen as convener; Shaji Pandampadam George Thomas Parakkal, Joseph (Joy) Vazhappallil, and Jose Mailanthara were appointed as committee members, for the purpose. The Kaikkarans of the church and architect Mini Roy helped in the works of the chapel. The renovated chapel was blessed by the vcar Fr. Joseph 19th March 2011, the feast day of St. Joseph. In the two and half lakh rupees spent for the renovation, over a lakh was given by the people of the region. A new mike and sound system for the chapel was donated by Anto Irambil.
On this occasion we would like to remember all esteemed priests who served this parish, especially Fr. Jacob Kunjanayil, the first priest to be ordained from this parish, and also all priests and nuns of the Holy Catholic church. We also pray for all our ancestors who contributed to the growth of this parish into a spiritual abode. We thank each and everyone who has been helping the parish to prosper.
May our church endure and prosper for centuries ahead as a symbol of our belief in God and strong sense of community. Let us pray that St. Joseph will take care of us all with his shower of blessings and eternal love.