What is the value of a 16th century church in Kerala that was built by the Portuguese in the baroque style of architecture? For the believers and the clergy, it is just a place of worship where the believers assemble.

But, if you ask the archaeologists, they would say such century-old churches are invaluable treasures which have successfully survived the onslaught of time holding aloft the proud legacy of Indo-Portuguese architecture.

However, sad as it would appear, today the archeological value of such churches is being comfortably forgotten by the clergy who’re bent upon demolishing or modifying them, citing reasons that don’t stand the test of any logic.

Several such churches have been demolished or are in the process of getting demolished or modified in the State by the prelates who claim a bigger space has become inevitable to accommodate the growing number believers.

However, sources in Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) and the Centre for Heritage Studies, which are on the forefront of a battle aimed at protecting such monumental structures, reveal that prelates are indulging in a bluff game.

The obstinate prelates, according to them, have already put a spanner in their efforts to protect such structures. Catholic, Orthodox and Jacobites account for the oldest churches in the State, ASI sources point out.

The churches which come under the ambit of Orthodox and Jacobites to a great extent have survived the demolition move. Thanks to the regular scuffles and ongoing legal battle between the two factions which claim ownership over the churches.

It’s the Catholic churches in the State which are highly vulnerable to the demolition moves being perpetrated by the priests and bishops, point out ASI sources. Catholic priests, according to independent sources, have their own interests in demolishing the monuments.

“A Catholic priest serves for 5 years in a church. But, when a church is getting renovated, he’s not disturbed till it gets completed” sources pointed out. So, it’s those Catholic priests presiding over churches with bigger congregation who’re mainly behind the demolition move.

Unlike other Christian denominations, Catholic priests command a greater voice in the affairs of churches and are even empowered to take unilateral decisions, sources said. Interestingly, it was in 2001, the first attempt to save the churches in the State was initiated.

The A.K. Antony Government then had constituted a committee led by Dr D. Babu Paul to take the census of churches that were built in the State before 1900. With Sheela Thomas as the Census commissioner, the committee members included John Ochanthuruth and P.J. Cherian.

The primary aim of the committee was to take an inventory of the churches in the State. Its existence, however, proved ephemeral as vociferous protests from the Catholic bishops led its quashing.

Christians suspected the inventory move was hatched by the NDA Government which ruled the Centre then. The prelates objected to the committee since they apprehended that they would be forced to disclose the actual amount of wealth held by each church.

The A.K. Antony Government had no other option but to dismiss the committee within a short span as it didn’t want to lose the trust of churches and Christians in particular. Having torpedoed the commission successfully, the clergy had its last laugh in the demolition drive.

A disastrous example of one such demolition pertains to the famous Parumala church which was messed up by none other than the famous architect Charles Correa. Prelates had asked Correa to build a church in memory of St. Gregorios.

“He was briefed that the Saint used to lead a life of ascetic monasticism. But, when Correa researched, he found ascetic monasticism originated in Egyptian deserts. So he made a tomb-structured church in Egyptian style,” said Dr D. Babu Paul.

Most people now agree the church lost its charm upon its renovation. “The new structure not only looks ugly but also stands as a slap on the face of the State’s architectural legacy,” said Dr M.G. Sasibhooshan, Dean of Academic Affairs of Centre for heritage studies.

As the demolition drive is gaining momentum, only a few churches which come under heritage zone enjoy some sort of immunity. According to ASI officials, 90 per cent of the old churches in the State fall out of the heritage zone belt.

Dr. Sasibhooshan laments that people in Kerala, particularly Christians, would’ve no structural evidence to prove that Christianity existed in the State in the 16th or 17th centuries if the prelates continue with their demolition drive.

“The bishops themselves should step up for the protection of such structures. The solution has to come from within the community,” he suggested. However, those who bat for heritage say only an effective intervention by government can protect the endangered churches.

A sound thinking indeed; but, it’s an unlikely thing to happen since most governments are like those vultures which even while flying on the top of the sky look down for the carrion called minority votes!
Meanwhile, the wait for a healthy solution continues like manna from the heavens!

A few Churches which resisted demolition

Though several churches in Kerala are today in threat of demolition, there are a few that resisted the move, thanks to the protest from the church-goers, who stand for protecting heritage churches.

St Sebastian’s church at Thoppumpady in Kochi was believed to be built in 1833 in astonishing architectural style. It was called St James’ church then. In 1870, it was repaired and renamed as St Sebastian’s.

The church was named as a heritage monument by the government in 2008. In May 2011, the church authorities brought in a motion to demolish the church.

Against the protest of several archeologists and heritage-lovers, the front part of the church was demolished by the authorities.

However, the archeology department intervened in the issue quickly and directed the church authorities to stop the demolition works. The department then directed the authorities to rebuild the demolished parts in its original style.

The famous church at Karingachira in Kochi also avoided a threat, as it was reconstructed in its original shape, while the new church at Edappally was built by retaining the old one.

The Sunnahodos church at Udayamperoor also survived a demolition threat, as the new church was built without disturbing the old one.

Churches that are on the verge of being razed

* Kadamattom church
* Mulanthuruthy church
* Akapparambu church
* Kanjoor church
* Perumbavoor Vallampally church
* Veloor church
* Kunnamkulam Valiyangadi church
* Pazhanji church
* Arthatu church
* Eravipuram St Mary's church
* Puthupally church