St. Mary's Forane Church Poonjar

Poonjar P.O. Kotayam 686 581

Kerala state

Phone 04822 272425

The Antiquity of Poonjar Church goes back to centuries . It is believed that the church dedicated to St.Mary at Poonjar was founded in the 14th century even in the absence of any historical evidences. Kerala church historians, Rev.Fr.Bernard and Fr.Placid confirm this belief in their books.It is on this belief that the 6th centenary celebrations of the church had taken place in 1962.

It is Inchakkattil Ouseph Ouseph , who took the initiative to build a new church at Poonjar due to the disgrace he faced from the Areetharapally. He made a petition to the King at Poonjar and the construction started in 579 in the month of Thulam. The first church was destroyed and a second one was made and it was debuild in 1947. The present church was started to build in1929 and the construction was completed in 1937. In 2005 July 3rd ,the Parish was installed to the position ‘Forane Church’ . Today, there are 15 parishes under this Forane , namely St.Mary’s Church ,Adivaram,St.Mary’s Church Cholathadam, St. Antony’s Church Kaippally, St. Mary’s Church Kavaly, St. George Church Koottickal, St.Joseph’s Church Kunnonny, Holy Cross Church Malayinchippara, Sacred Heart Church Maniankunnu, Mother Of Seven Dolours Church Parathanam, Blessed Alphonsa Church Payyanithottam, S.H. Church Peringulam, St,Sebastian Church Thakadi, St.Mary’s Church Velanilam St. Mary’s Church Yendayar

A milestone in the history of Poonjar Church is the Cambridge School .It was started in 1936 by Rev. Fr.John Pottedath.The first teacher and superior of this school was Servant of God Mar Mathew Kavukatt.Another memorable event in the history of the church is the new Presbytery built near the church as an annex to the old Presbytery by Rev. Fr. Alex Moolakkunnel the Vicar of the parish.

The parish consists of 760 families. Now Very.Rev. Fr. Alex Moolakkunnel is the parish priest and Fr. Thomas Punnathanath, the assistant , serving in the parish.

The parish manage a U.P.School with the strength of about 400 students every Year.There are 14 teachers in the school.
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The church dedicated to St.Mary is a pilgrim center and the feast of the parish is celebrated from September 1-8 every year with great ardour and enthusiasm.