St. Theresa's Shrine, Mahe / Mahe Palli 4.94

The Shrine of St. Theresa of Avila at Mahe is one of the oldest Shrines in India and probably the oldest in Malabar. Practically nothing was known regarding the origin and early history of this Shrine until recently when a valuable record. “De Missione Mahinensi in Malabaribus Commentarius” by Rev. Father Ignatius A.S. Hippolytes, O.C.D. dated 2nd July, 1757 was discovered in the Carmelite Archives at Rome. A copy of this record is also preserved in the Archives of the Propaganda at Rome. According to this historical document Rev. Father Dominic of St. John of the Cross, O.C.D. an Italian, came to Mahe and established the Mahe Mission in 1723 when King Bayanor, the Raja of Kadathanad near Badagara was the ruler. A small community of Christians grew up in this place and in 1736, the Shrine of St. Theresa was erected and in December of that year, was dedicated to this reformer of the Carmelite Order according to the solemn ritual of the Roman Catholic, Church Before 1736, the church was only a shed constructed with bamboos and coconut leaves. The record above mentioned speaks of the intense zeal of the Carmelite Missionaries and that more than 2,000 adults, excluding children, were baptized, and received into the Church by them.
However, in 1760 this Shrine seems to have suffered some damage owing to the wars between the French and the British. But in Mach 1779, this ancient Shrine was to a greater extent damaged or perhaps destroyed. But later about the year 1788 the Shrine was thoroughly renovated or perhaps reconstructed by Abbe Duchenin. A Government record dating back to 1874 referring to this renovation of Shrine by Abbe Duchenin is preserved in the Revenue Office at Mahe. The roof, however, was a thatched one at that time and only in 1874 it was replaced with Mangalore tiles. The tower of the Church was renovated in 1855 and the clock on the tower which gives correct time even now to the whole town of Mahe was fixed up there in that year. The clock is said to have been presented by some French Marines to the Church. The Shrine was renovated again in 1956 and electrified. On July 15, 1956 the renovated Shrine was opened for worship. In 1958, the flooring of the Church and the plastering of the tower were redone.
St.Theresa church, Mahe is located in the northern part of Kerala near Thalassery It is on the main road of Mahe ie. in NH.17. Pilgrims can easily reach here by means of bus or by train. Nearest Railway Station is Mahe and there are frequent buses from Calicut and Kannur
Historical Background:
The church is having two major myths.
In one of the myth it’s saying that a ship carrying the idol of St.Theresa stopped in the sea while reaching near Mahe. Then the crew of the ship had a thought that St.Theresa want to be in Mahe. and they placed her in Mahe which finally became Mahe Church.
The other myth is that a fisherman got a small St.Theresa,s wooden statue from Mahe river and this finally resulted in the formation of Mahe church.
About The Building:
* An Italian priest erected the church in 1736
* In 1956 entire church was renovated..
* Major modification of the church was done in September 2010.