Thattamugal Chappel
Thattamugal Chappel
Further, in 1954, a cross-mount was established by His Grace Vayalipparambil Geevarghese Mar Gregorios Thirumeni in the name of St. Elias III. Mr. Varkey Kuruvilla provided the land for this cross-mount for free.
41 years after the Sunday School was established, a chapel began to function at the place. Our fathers Varkey Varkey Chambilil, Varky Matthew Chambilil, Ouseph Isaac Kizhakkumparayil, Varkey Paily Idappaarayil, Varkey Paily Kurumolatthu, Itthaappiri Ouseph Punnaasheril, Varkey Varkey Kunnatthukudiyil, Itthaappiri Varghese Thaanimolatthu, and Varkey Varghese Kurumolatthu provided the initial impetus toward the good governance of the chapel.
In the initial days of the chapel, holy qurbana was celebrated once a month. Later it was made twice a month until finally in 1994 qurbana began to be observed every Sunday. Since 2011, Maranaya festivals have also begun to be observed.
The feast of St. Elias III in February and the Feast Of The Assumption of St Mary in August are celebrated for 4 days. The chapel has two cross-mounts. One at the west junction in the name of St George, and one in the north on the bank of the canal, in the name of Mar Baselios Eldho. The chapel's growth is also aided by the excellent functioning of the St. Mary's Sunday School, the MGM Gospel Association, the Martha Mariyam Vanitha Samajam, Mar Elias Youth Association, and various other works of charity and social service.
Owing to the lack of enough space and facilities in the church, as well as the sad state of the sunday school building at the time, many church-goers felt a renovation was due. At the general body meeting presided by the then-vicar Fr. Peter Illimoottil in the chapel in February 1999, a decision was taken to construct a new chapel in the land where the eastern cross-mount and the MGM Gospel Association were situated.
The chapel we see today was completed with a funding of 27 lakh rupees provided by the faithful members, the locals (who were from various religious backgrounds), as well as from the main cathedral. On February 8th and 9th 2002, the chapel was sanctified. Also, the holy relics of our patriarch Moran Mor Ignatius Elias III were established. The prime celebrant for the sacrament of Holy Mooron was the Catholicose Mor Baselios Thomas I. H.G Joseph Mar Gregorios and H.G Geevarghese Mar Polycarpos were also present.
It was also eventually decided that the sunday school building would be renovated. The work began in 2007. On February 12th, 2010, H.G Matthews Mar Aprem consecrated the building on the occasion of the main feast of the chapel. The building comprises of stalls, kitchen and toilet facilities on the ground floor, the sunday school on the first floor, and the St. Mary's Hall at the top. The building has changed the face of the town of Thattaammukal. We thank the Almighty Lord for raising up this chapel as a place of worship, and offer our gratitude to all who offered their help and prayers.
