St. Thomas Church, Palayoor
Deities

St. Thomas Church, Palayoor

Palayoor — 1 of the 7-and-a-half St. Thomas Churches (Duplicate Entry)

Status · Anusandhāna
Source · Tier 2
Tradition · Christian
Period · Varies by tradition; founded 52 CE

St. Thomas Church, Palayoor

⚠️ DUPLICATE ENTRY — See main entry: palayur-church-kodungallur.md

Quick Reference

  • Location: Palayoor (near Chavakkad), Thrissur, Kerala (10.5667°N, 76.15°E)
  • Tradition: Christian / Syro-Malabar Catholic / St. Thomas
  • Founded: 52 CE
  • Key Feature: Oldest church in India; oldest continuously-active church in the world (~2,000 years); rock from which St. Thomas preached preserved inside

Summary

Palayoor Church — founded 52 CE by St. Thomas himself. Considered the oldest church in India (and one of the oldest in the world). Thomas stood on a rock and rebuked idolatry; half the Brahmin priests converted. The rock is preserved inside the church. Annual feast of Thomas (July 3) draws pilgrims from many Christian denominations. The parish has been continuously-active for 2,000 years.

Timeline Highlights

| Year | Event | |------|-------| | 52 CE | St. Thomas founds Palayoor Church | | 72 CE | St. Thomas martyred at Mylapore | | c. 1310 CE | Friar Jordanus documents Palayoor | | 1334 CE | Ibn Battuta visits Malabar | | Present | ~2,000 years continuous operation |

For complete content including full foreign traveler quotes, please visit: palayur-church-kodungallur.md

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