St. James Church

Already during the time of St. Francis Xavier there was a Church dedicated to Our Lady of Assumption. Later on a new Church was built and was dedicated to St. James the elder. Since the Dutch converted the Church Our Lady of Assumption into their arsenal, from 1585 onwards St. James Church served as the parish Church. Rev. Fr. Duarthu who was the superior of the Jesuit Malabar region as well as the parish priest of Manapad renovated and enlarged the Church in 1745. Again the Jesuit Priests Rev. Frs. Louise Lousus and Blasius Brillinger extended the Church to suit the need the growing number of Catholics. On 12th September 1929 Bishop Tiburtius Roche consecrated the Church.

When the Dutch captured the Jesuit Malabar Province, the jesuit left Cochin and stayed at Ambalakadu and Thoppu. From 1695 utpto 1752, with a few interruptions, Manapad bacame the head quarters of Malabar Jesuit Province. That was called “Collegium”. And the building of Collegium stood near St. James Church.

In 1581 Rev. Fr. John D. Salanova S.J. laid the foundation stone for the Holy Cross Church on the hillock. On September 14, 1582, first Holy mass was celebrated in the Holy Cross Church. Rev. Fr. Caldius Aqua Liva sent two small pieces of the original cross of Jesus to be kept at the Church of Holy Cross. Rev. Fr. Joackim Fernando (1950 – 1970) extended and renovated the Church.

Historical notes tell us that St. Francis Xavier was living in a cave on the eastern side of the Church. Rev. Fr. Louise Lousus S.J. planted a cross over the cave where St. Francis Xavier lived. In 1975 Msgr. Paul Robinston built a small chapel over the cave. The Shrine of Holy Cross was completely renovated by the diocese in 2007 under the supervision of Rev. Fr. Theophilus, the present parish priest.

Our present Vicar General Very Rev. Andrew De Rose hails from this parish.