PALATHINKAL FAMILY AND THE CHRISTIAN CHURCHES

by

Bhasi Joseph Ipe

History of Palathinkal family till their migration from Athirampuzha to Kodimatha, Kottayam is briefly explained in the earlier chapter on ‘Palathinkal Tradition’. Hence I am not going in detail into it further. However, I shall briefly touch upon the same peripherally to draw the connection between the ancient and present churches to which our members belong to.

Before the arrival of Portuguese missionaries, foreign Bishops (mainly from Persia) were assisted by ‘Jathiku Karthavyar’ or Arch Deacon to conduct day to day affairs of the church. Many of them were from Kuravilangadu and were members of Pakalomattom family. Even now, one can see 5 tombs of Arch Deacons from Pakalomattom family near the Kuravingadu church. Foundation was laid for a new church in 1599 and the church building was completed later. By this time, after the arrival of Portuguese, the community was divided into two groups ie. Malankara Sabha and Catholics.

The ‘Edathil’ family members are the descendants of Pakalomattom family. The Edathil branch got divided into two units, one known as Thekkedam and the other Vadakkedam. Later some of the family members moved to Angamaly. A few others then moved to Kaduthuruthy, settled down there and built a church there. Later, some of the Vadakkedam family moved and settled at Athirampuzha for convenience in doing trading business. As they found it difficult to go to Kuravilangadu to worship and to attend other religious functions, they joined with other traditional families around the area and built a church there.

(See pictures 1 and 2 below this article.)

The Thekkumcore Raja, for improving the commercial activities of his Kingdom, invited and brought one family from Athirampuzha Vadakkedam family and settled them at Kodimatha near the anchorage of Raja’s boat and the site was on the northern side of the old Kodimatha bridge (palam). Hence, they were called Palathumkal or Palathinkal and their progeny was called Palathinkal family.

They were members of the Malankara church and along with other families worshipped at Kottayam Velliapally, which was built in 1550. The congregation of this church later split on ethnic lines and the dissidents called ‘Vadakkumbhagar’ built the Kottayam Cheriapally in 1579.

(See pictures 3 and 4 below this article.)

Coming to the last 200 years, our history is closely connected with the reformist or Mar Thoma church. Mar Thoma Church claim themselves to be the true followers of the first independent church founded by St.Thomas, before it came in contact with other churches later and started following their rituals

When the group identified themselves with the issue of reformation, majority of the Palathinkal family members joined the progressive reformist Movement, which called themselves, the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar. These members contributed liberally to the growth of the church.

Members of Ullattil branch and a few from Kalathoor branch remained with Jacobite faction of Malankara Sabha.

A few Palathinkals joined the Anglican church (CMS), when the Anglican missionaries came to Travancore. Since the Anglican missionaries started and developed educational institutions also, those who joined the Anglican church received the advantage of the facilities offered by them and this move benefited them immensely, as they could acquire good English education. Thus they were qualified enough to hold very important positions in life. Some of them who excelled because of the higher education are Sri.P.Mathen Varkey (Varkey Magistrate, a doyen of the Judicial service then), Sri.P.Mathen Mathai (Major Mathai, who studied for Medicine in England on scholarship and served the British Army), Sri.P.V.Isaac (Imperial Entomologist of India/Burma/Ceylon) and Dr.P.V.Cherian (a renowned ENT specialist, who later graced the Raj Bhavan of Bombay as Governor of Maharashtra). They along with others played major roles in the Anglican (CMS) church in Travancore and outside the state.

Members of these Palathinkal families, who joined the Anglican church contributed back to the church in whatever way they could.

(See picture 5 below this article.)

The Ullattil branch of the Palathinkal family was prominent among the 18 families, who jointly built the Kurisupally. The doyen of this Ullattil branch, Sri.Isaac Thomas (Kunjunju), donated 5 cents from his own property, near Thoombil bridge, Puthenangady, Kottayam for constructing a ‘Kurishumthotty’ for Kurishupally, in memory of his father Thommy Ithak. Foudation stone for the Kurishumthotty was laid by Baselius Geevarghese Dwideeyan Catholica Bava (Kurichy Bava) of Orthodox Church.

Kunjukunju was Trustee of Kurishupally for many years. He was also a Member of the Managing Committee of Orthodox Church. He was Manager of St.Thomas Girls High School, Puthenangady and also a member of the Governing body of Baselius College, Kottayam.

(See pictures 6 and 7 below this article.)

Apart from the above, he donated 50 cents of his property to Orthodox church for constructing houses for old persons without a place to live. The main oil lamp used at the Kurishupally was donated by Sri.Isaac Thomas (Jr) (Babu) of Ullattil family.

As mentioned earlier, a large number of members of Palathinkal, Arackal and Kalathoor branches remained with the the Malankara Mar Thoma Church of Malabar. They extended whole hearted moral and financial co-operation to steady the fledgling Mar Thoma Sabha, which was like a rocking boat in ‘the turbulent sea’ then. The older generation may be able to recollect, the difficult formative days of the Malankara Mar Thoma Sabha, who parted company with the erstwhile Malankara Sabha, empty handed and with nothing to fall back on, except absolute faith in God and supreme determination to hold aloof the reformation Movement, which Abraham Malpan and Kaithayil Geevarghese Malpan proclaimed. Members of the Mar Thoma Church were mainly agriculturists with a few enterprising stalwarts who dabbled in trading and other such vocations. For all of them, the church was ‘Nammude Sabha’ and not ‘Ente Sabha’, as many present day Christian Church members say.

Kottayam was the nerve centre of all activities of the reformation Movement, which originated from Pazhaya Seminary, spearheaded by the two Malpans.

In many places, Marthomites did not have places to come together and worship. The opposition group was bent upon breaking the Will of the reformists. But, the Marthomites stoically faced all threats, both physical and verbal, and stood firmly united. At the critical juncture, members of the Palathinkal family came forward and extended unreserved support in building the base of the reformist church. When Mar Thoma Church lost Cheriapally through a court verdict, the opposition group, who were powerful and influential then, spared no efforts to block the desire of Marthomites to buy a piece of land and build a church at Kottayam. The site on which the Jerusalem Church of Kottayam now stands, belonged to one Dr.J.L.Gomes. Our clever lay leaders then arranged two Anglican church members to buy the land from Dr.Gomes in 1897. In 1899, Palathinkal Mathen Ithak, who was a senior member of the ‘Thirunakkara Prardhana Yogam’ took the initiative and along with Chakkalayil Ittycheria Abraham got the land transferred in their names. Later it was transferred for building the Jerusalem Mar Thoma church. Historian Sri.Titus Varghese, in page number 110 of his book on ‘Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropilitan’ describes the above historical contributions of Palathinkal Mathen Ithak and Chackalayil Ittycheria Abraham to the Mar Thoma sabha. He further explains an incident, when Thomas Mar Athanasius Metropilitan visited Kottayam. ‘Since Kottayam was a place of physical strength for Jacobites, it was feared that some of disoriented members of that church might indulge in foul actions during his visit to defame the Metropolitan and the Mar Thoma church. No such incident took place during his visit, as Palathinkal Mathen Ithak and Chackalayil Ittycheria Abraham stood on left and right of the carriage (Menavu) in which the Metroplitan was moving’. This talks about the positive influence these lay leaders had in the church and society.

During 1901, the construction commenced in the property purchased for the Jerusalem Mar Thoma church. Titus 1^st Mar Thoma was the Metropolitan then. Progress made with the construction was slow due to lack of funds. It was during Metropolitan Titus 2^nd ’s reign, that the church building was completed and consecrated in 1921.

It is only proper to quote, as follows, from the book ‘Kannuneerinte Kanikka’ to highlight the humble but great contribution made by our family members for building the Jerusalem church

The Metropolitan Titus 2^nd , who was genuinely concerned of the slow progress made with the construction of Jerusalem Church called Sri.A.I.Ipe (Arackal Kutty, as he was affectionately called) and said “Kutty, unless you help liberally, it would be difficult to complete the church building”. To that, Sri.Ipe jokingly said “Thirumeni, Are you planning to finish me off?” Both of them laughed and the Metropolitan further said “No Kutty, you always come forward to support good causes, therefore neither you nor your children will suffer. God will bless you and your children.” The rest is history. The end product was a beautiful church building, which remain ever, as a jewel in the crown of Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church. In olden days, devotees coming out of Thirunakkara temple always had ‘Darshan’ of the imposing facade of Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church. Such was the location of the church.

Sri.P.I.Oomen, Palathinkal was another person, who liberally contributed to the church. Apart from his own contributions, he collected sufficient funds for completing the Holy of Hollies – Madhbaha of Jerusalem Church.

Sri.K.Thomas Varghese, popularly known as Varghese chettan, of Kalathoor branch, was ‘Shushrushakan’ of Jerusalem Mar Thoma church for over 45 years. His yeomen services have been acknowledged by the church, through an article in the Centenary Souvenir of Jerusalem Mar Thoma church, Kottayam. His son Thomas K.Varghese is now a prominent member of the Houston (USA) Mar Thoma church.

Family members, who were not able to contribute financially, extended their support by working as helpers in the construction work along with other parishioners.

The first marriage to be conducted at the Jerusalem church was that of Sri.P.I.Oomen Palathinkal. Sri.P.I.Mathai (Kochu Mathai) was one among the first few infants baptized at Jerusalem Mar Thoma church, immediately after consecration of the church, at the beginning of the 20^th century.

The members of the Mar Thoma Sabha had no viable means to run a church in the initial stages. But the church had to grow. That was the dream and desire of every Marthomite and they ventured upon founding a seminary. The Mar Thoma Theological Seminary at Kottayam was started at Kottayam in the year 1926. At times, they had no funds to meet the day to day expenses. Metropolitam Titus Second used to send word to Sri.A.I.Itty Ipe (son of A.I.Ipe) requesting him to help the seminary authorities. Sri.Itty Ipe, who was Managing Director of Kottayam Bank Ltd, without any hesitation used to extend all possible help to tide over the difficult days. Sri.P.I.Oommen, Sri. A.I.IItty Ipe and Sri.A.I.Ipe (Achan) had served as the members of the Governing Board of the seminary.

(See picture 8 below this article.)

At Kodimatha, where Palathinkal family took its roots, Sri.P.I.Mathai donated land adjacent to his house where a building called ‘Kodimatha Pallikoodam’ was constructed, where Kodimatha Sunday school functioned for many years. The Sunday school was the grooming ground of all the Christians in and around that area. As the members of the 9^th generation of Palathinkals left Kodimatha to pursue higher studies and seek jobs elsewhere, the building was left unused for some time. Then, it was handed over to Jerusalem church, which repaired and named it as Kodimatha Prayer Hall. Later on, it was again renovated by Palathinkal Kudumbayogam under the leadership of Ullattil Isaac Thomas, who was its President then. Now, a ‘Pakalveedu’, Handicraft training centre, and Medical camps are conducted there catering to the needs of the Kodimatha community.

Sri.A.I.Jacob (Achen), second son of Sri.A.I.Ipe, lived at Nattakom. Rev.K.C.George, vicar of Jerusalem Mar Thoma church, Kottayam in the mid 50s influenced Sri.Jacob and he donated a large piece of land at Nattakom (near Kottayam), where a church and an LP Schools were built. This chapel was initially attached to the Jerusalem church and later was made a regular parish of the Sabha and named as Nattakom Jerusalem Mar Thoma church.

For the benefit of young members, we are presenting the photo gallery of a few photographs on properties of Mar Thoma church, with which Palathinkal family is closely associated.

(See pictures 9 to 12 below this article.)

We are told that Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan used to make use of the services of Sri.A.I.Ipe (Achen) in settling ticklish problems in the parishes outside Kerala where Achen was employed then. The lay leaders played yeomen roles in public relations for the church and were always available at the beck and call of the church leadership.

Sri.P.O.Isaac (son of P.I.Oommen), who was managing family estates in Wynad, donated land and liberally contributed for constructing a church at Chundale in the early seventies. This church is known as St.Peters Mar Thoma church, Chundale.

When Jerusalem Mar Thoma church founded Guidance Centre at Arpookkara, near Medical College, Kottayam, Children and grand children of Sri.P.O.Abraham donated a room at the Centre.

Members of the Palathinkal family and its branches had been trustees and other officers of Jerusalem Mar Thoma church, as well as other parishes in and outside Kerala. Also a few members have served the Diocesan Assemblies, Sabha Mandalom, Sabha Council and other bodies of Mar Thoma, Jacobite and CSI churches. At present, Mr.Ranjit Mathew is serving as the Trustee of Kottayam-Kochi Diocese of Mar Thoma Church. If all the contributions made /being made now, are mentioned here, it will become superfluous and hence I am refraining from that attempt.

Before we close, we give below this article photographs of a few other contributions by our family to the church and society.

(See pictures 13 to 16 below this article.)

Suffice to say, that Palathinkals are proud of the Christian churches they belong to and are willing to serve in any capacity when they are called upon by the churches.

We believe, that generations which ignore its history has no past and no future. Hence I am humbly trying here to link the past of the Palathinkals to the present, for the benefit of future generations to realize religious activities of their family, to feel proud of it and to continue their services in the years to come, to the churches to which they belong to.

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