SS. Peter and Paul Church

Alanthalai an ancient village had the privilage of being visited by St. Francis Xavier, who stayed here for a short period. On 5th of September, 1544, St. Francis Xavier had written two letters from Alanthalai. We come to know that already in 1644 there were 1178 Catholics at Alanthalai and a parish Church dedicated to St. Peter was planned and foundation stone was laid. In the mean time another chapel dedicated to St. Antony was built. In 1708 and in 1709 Alanthalai and Virapandianpatnam were taken care of by Rev. Fr. John Mainat. In 1712 the parish Church was completed by Rev. Fr. Sanches. In 1912 Alanthalai was bifurcated from Virapandianpatnam. Rev. Fr. Constant Thairiyam was appointed as the parish priest. On 29th June 1926, foundation stone was laid for a new Church when Rev. Fr. Ambrose Missier was the parish priest. In 1928 the grotto of Sacred Heart was built as a symbol of peace made between the warring groups of the village. On the 28th June 1938, Apostolic Inter – Nuncio Most Rev. Leo Peter Gearguls consecrated the new Church.