St. James Shrine

Srivaikundam was one of the ancient shrines of South India and it is 400 years old. In the year 1600 Jesuit Missionaries from Punnaikayal built Churches at Thirukazhoor and Srivaikundam. On the 24th July 1600, the Jesuit Provincial Rev. Fr. Nicholas Pimenta blessed the Church at Srivaikundam. The original Church was small in size. It was built in the shape of the cross and a huge stone cross was kept by the side of the altar and thus people started calling this Church as ‘Cruz Koil’. This was the first Church in interior area which was built in the shape of the cross.

In 1644 Srivaikundam was a substation of Thirukazhoor which was the main mission centre of that period. In 1774 when the Jesuit Congregation was banned all over the world, Srivaikundam was placed under the Diocese of Cochin and was taken care of by Kathimars of Syrian Rite as well as priests from Goa. After the removal of the ban, Madurai Mission was entrusted to the Jesuits of Thulus Province in France.

Rev. Fr. Louise Durange who was a zealous Missionary worked in and around Srivaikundam. He was fondly named by people as ‘Chinnasamy’ or Michaelnather. He died there and was buried inside the Church. On 31st December 1938 Srivaikundam became a separate parish. Rev. Fr. D. Gnanapragasam was the first parish priest of Srivaikundam. In 1989 during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the parish, the Church was renovated by Rev. Fr. Cedric Peeris and a mandapam was attached to the facade of the Church. The presbytery was built by Rev. Fr. Viladmir Rayen which was blessed by Bishop Ambrose Mathalaimuthu on 24th July 1977.