ST.MARYS MAJOR ARCHIEPISCOPAL PILIGRIM CENTER KUDAMALOOR, is the first Major Archiepiscopal parish belonging to the Archdiocese of Chenganacherry in the Syro - Malabar church. It is situated 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) north of Kottayam town. "Alphonsa Bhavan" - the birthplace of Blessed Alphonsa is under this parish. Mannanam, a pilgrim centre, where the tomb of Blessed Kuriakose Elias Chavara situates
, is also under this parish. The old church was built by King Chempakasserry on AD 1125. There is a legend associated with the establishment of this church. Once, the Chempakassery Rajah was about to start an important journey. When he entered into the cart, the horses stood stationary and many attempts failed to move them. The King ordered the chief astrologer to find the reason behind his journey disruption. The astrologer found that the place where the horses stood was a battlefield. The King excavated the area and found many skeletons of many warriors. The King listened to the advice of the astrologer and he decided to establish a church and immigrated five Nasrani families namely, Mukkunkal, Chakkunkal, Palathunkal, Thekkedam and Vadakkedam and gave land and wealth these families. In addition, families like Alumkal, Thuruthumali, Perumali, Thayyil etc. also settled as a result of Christian immigration during the establishment of Kudamaloor church. Out of these families only traces of Mukkunkal and Thekkedam are around the Church of Kudamaloor and the rest all have disintegrated to various parts or have changed their family names after successive partitions, to worship . The present day Syrian Christians in this area are these immigrants. The church is dedicated to " Mukthiamma" (Our Lady Of Liberation). The church used to have a pulpit built on a wooden elephant and the main beam is still decorated with elephant’s head; these features are very characteristic of the Hindu influence. The church is very famous for the rituals during the Holy week.
