People from other areas began to settle here towards the beginning of 20th century. The new settlers had to survive the attacks of wild animals which abounded in Velielchal. Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Oliappuram who had been a true lover of the Catholic community and a perfect devotee wished to erect a church at Velielchal. But he demised on 30 Meenam 1908 before fulfilling his ambition. As per his will
, his descendents and Rev.Fr. Kochauseph,t he then vicar of Kothamangalam Catholic church approached H.E. Mar Augustine Kandathil, the Arch Bishop of Ernakulam seeking his permission to erect a church at Velielchal. Their request was granted and the Arch Bishop laid the foundation stone of the church on 2 December 1920. Under the leadership of Oliappurathu Paulo Ouseph and Korathu Varkey, the descendents of Fr. Geevarghese Oliappurahtu, and the co-operation of 25 of the parishners, the construction work began. Surmounting crises such as attack of wild animals, financial shortage and scarcity of skilled workers, the church was completed in 1929.H.E. Mar Augustine Kandathil consecrated the church and conducted the first Holy Mass on 16 April 1929. As per the will of Fr. Geevarghese Oliappurathu, Ouseph, the son of Paulo Oliappurathu, and Varkey, the son of Koruthu Oliappurathu, transferred the title deed of 50 acres 70 cents of property including 41 acre 38 cent purayidom and 9 acres 32 cents of paddy field to the church.Fr. Kochauseph Vezhapparampil, the then vicar of Kothamangalam church was given the additional charge of the new church and Oliappurathu Paulose Varghese and Koruthu Mani were appointed as the trustees by the Hon. Archbishop. Velielchal Parish was officially erected on 11 November 1936 and Rev. Cherian Pulickal was appointed as the first vicar. Years later when the parish prospered, the demand for a bigger church grew stronger. During the tenure of Fr. Joseph Nambiaparampil, a General Body was convened on 18 October 1970 and it was decided to construct a new large church. The foundation stone was laid on 16 may 1971 by H.E. Mar Mathew Pothanamuzhi. After the hard work of a decade, the building was completed during the tenure of Fr. Thomas pittappilli and it was consecrated and the first Holy Mass was conducted on 15 January 1981 by H.E. Mar George Punnakkottil, the Bishop of Kothamangalam. Working for the development of this area and the all round progress and well being of people of different faiths for past 78 years, Velielchal Catholic church has become one of the important parishes in kothamangalam diocese. Started with 15 parishners, it has grown to 485 families. The parish is divided into 14 wards and kudumbakuttayma units have been set up in all wards for promoting love and friendship among the parishners. CYM which was established in 1948, Sodality (Mariasakhyam), Mathrudeepthi (established in 1960), Mission League and League of Altar Boys have been actively functioning in the parish. The activities of Franciscan munnamsabha (SFO) established in 2005 and dedicated to St. Francis is praiseworthy. The unit of St. Vincent de Paul Society formed in 1960 is the best unit in the diocese. There are 2 capulas under the church. Antony’s Capula at Punnekadu was erected by Elanjickal Thariathu Kunjithomman on the 4 cents of land donated by Oliappurathu Koruthu Paulose. It was consecrated and first thiunnal was celebrated on 24 December 1940 by Fr. Louis Puthussery, the then Parish priest of Kothamangalam Catholic church .4 cents of land was donated to the capula by A.P. Mathew, son of Arambankudi Paily. A new capula was erected here during the tenure of Fr. Joseph Mundackal and it was consecrated on 9 February 1991 by H.E. Mar George punnakkottil. Mary’s Capula was built at Kondimattam on 10 cents of land donated by A. Manuel Silva of Cardinal Plantations. It was consecrated and the first thirunnal was conducted on 23 June 1990 by H.E. Mar George Punnakkottil. The present St. Joseph’s High School started functioning on 22 May 1937 with 2 class rooms as a pallikkoodam. Class 5 was started in 1950. It was upgraded into a High School on 3 March 1982. FC Convent was established here in 1956. A centre for the orphaned and poor girls named snehalayam was started by the FC sisters in 2000.Sanjo Tailoring Centre is functioning under Snehalayam. The foundation stone of Platinum Jubilee Memorial Parish Hall Cum Shopping Complex was laid on 15 August 2003 by the vicar Rev.Fr. Joseph Kavumpuram.It was consecrated by H.E. Mar George punnakkottil on 7 January 2005. It was completed at a cost of 32 lakh rupees which included the share of the parishners. Joseph’s Church at Veliechal which stands on the bank of River Periyar as a centre of hope showering blessings of God to all is a gift of God to this land. It is like light house shedding the light of God to one and all. Many people have contributed to the growth of this church which has played a decisive role in the development of this area. We recall with gratitude the selfless service rendered to the parish by all the former vicars and the trustees. We offer garlands of gratitude to Rev. James Vadakekudi who has been leading the parish in the grace of God. We recall the service of Rev. Sisters and the teachers who have been engaged in imparting religious and secular education in the parish. We bow our humble head before The Almighty Merciful God Who has been blessing this parish through the intercession of St. Joseph. We pray God to bless us with the grace to listen to the calls of the Holy Spirit and to inculcate them in our lives
