Neduvannoor St Mary's Church 3.02

In 1950’s, Neduvannoor is the suburb with the blessings of the nature; sprawling palms, verdant paddy fields and unique place in communal harmony like other suburbs in Kerala. Most of the people’s are in a middle class family and their attractive earnings from farming and agriculture sector.

Around this time, devotees and members of the Syro Malabar Catholic Communities, walk along on the boundaries of the paddy field and alley to get the nearest churches to do their religious practices. The nearest Churches, Ss. Gervasis & Prothasis, Akaparambu and St. Mary’s Church, Chowara, which are around 4.7km and 2.4 km walking distance from the present Church at Neduvannoor. So it was not convenient to access a priest in the case of emergency and their pastoral needs.

On December 28, 1958, devotees are 59 families from northern part of Neduvannoor, who belong to Akaparmbu parish and 19 families from southern part of Neduvannoor, who belong to Chowara parish, gathered together to discuss about to form a parish at Neduvannoor. In that meeting, they have formed a committee to follow the further steps to find out the resources and requirements to build a Church. In the leadership of the committee, they have raised the money and brought 94 cents of land at the centre part of Neduvannoor, which is the present Church builded.

On July 16, 1959, Rev. Fr. Thomas Palathingal, Vicar of Akaparambu Church laid the foundation stone in the name of Mother Mary, later to be known as St Mary’s Church Neduvannoor. On January 30, 1963, Most Rev. Joseph Parecattil, Archbishop of Ernakulam, made a pastoral visit and offered a contribution to buy another 47 cents of land for the Church. In August 1963, completed the foundation of the building and on that foundation, build a temporary marquee to start the religious practices. Rev. Fr. Isaac Maniyankott, Vicar of the Akaparambu Church, who celebrate the first ‘Holy Qurbana’ in that marquee to began the liturgical services followed by the blessings of the Cemetery.

It was the significant beginning and inspiration to raise the finance and resources to complete the building of the Church. Most of the devotees were from the low-middle class families and their earnings were from the farming and agricultural sector. However, they were hardworking and pleased to contribute their farm products to raise the money. There were lots of cheerful givers donated materials like wood and mud blocks for the construction. Moreover, the untiring efforts of the devotee’s volunteer ship to complete the most of the construction of the project.

On December 26, 1964, Rev. Fr. Isaac Maniyankott blessed the unfinished Church and began to say the ‘Holy Qurbana’ on the days of holy obligations, Sundays and first Fridays of the month. The Vicars from the Akapparambu and Chowara were the Celebrants for the liturgical ceremonies on those days.

On May 17, 1970, Rev. Fr. Sebastian Vazhappilly has appointed as the first Vicar of the parish and the parish become independent under the Archdiocese of Ernakulam. Under the leadership of Fr. Vazhappilly, parishioners get back and act together to complete the unfinished construction of the Church. Especially men’s from the parish around hundred and twenty five of them divided in to ten groups to connect the surrounding suburbs to seek donations.

From 1970 to 1976 season, around three times expand the constructions of the Church. The 1975–76 seasons were the construction of the front view of the church completed and followed up to Parish hall, Presbytery, Stage, Cemetery and Chapel.

From the time of July 27, 1970 onwards, parish celebrate the ‘Holy Qurbana’ at 6.00am on a daily basis. On November 10, 1970, Most Rev. Sebastian Mankuzhikary, Auxiliary Bishop of Ernakulam Archdiocese, made his Pastoral visit and blessed the congregation. During his visit, the parish installed a new curtain in front of the Sanctuary, gifted by ten youngsters from the parish.

On November 29, 1970, the mothers who were in the parish officially launched a unit of Women’s Welfare Services. It was the first organization in the parish. Thereafter, the parish formed many of the organizations such as St Vincent De Paul, KCYM, CLC, Society of Holy Childhood, Parish Council, The third Order of St Francis, Catechism School and Family units. On July 25, 1982, Congregation of the Holy Family sisters started a new convent in the parish. Since about that time, their pastoral and social services in the life and ministry of the parish are most appreciable and remarkable in the parish's life history.

The former Vicars and parishioners who made several significant contributions to the life of Neduvannoor village. The most remarkable contributions are the expansion of Neduvannoor- Chowara road, new Railway gate, allotment of new KSRTC bus service (1983) and the PDDP outlet service.

On December 28, 2014, Parish celebrates its Golden Jubilee year. At this Golden Jubilee time, Parish Consecrated its renovated new Church on Sunday, May 22, 2016.