CSI Brough Memorial Church, located in the heart of Erode town at the Panner Selvam Park Circle, is a church built and consecrated in 1930 by Rev. A.W. Brough, a missionary from New South Wales in Australia, for His glory.
Brough Memorial Church Architecture:
- An intriguing architectural feature of the Church is that the basement’s depth corresponds to the height of the walls above the ground level.
- It is worth mentioning that lime mortar was used instead of cement during the construction process.
- To achieve a polished appearance, the walls were meticulously plastered with a blend of lime and polished using egg.
- Additionally, the Church procured its stones, doors, and windows from Karur, which is situated approximately 60 kilometers away from Erode.
Community Engagement:
Over the years, the Brough Memorial Church has become an integral part of the local Christian community in Erode. It hosts regular religious services, events, and activities that serve the spiritual and social needs of its congregation.
Working Hours of Brough Church:
The church is known for its accessibility and openness to the public. The main entrance to the church is typically open from 6:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m., allowing people to visit, pray, and participate in worship services during these hours.
How to reach CSI Brough Memorial Church :
- By Road : Local transportation options such as auto-rickshaws, taxis, public buses ,personal vehicle can be used to reach St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
- By train : The nearest railway station is Erode Railway station.
- By Air : The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport (approximately 90 kilometers from Erode).
Saint Mary’s Church is an esteemed Catholic institution in Erode, revered by the local Christian community. This place of worship is a testament to the significance of Saint Mary, a central figure in Catholicism and the revered mother of Jesus Christ.
Architecture of Saint Mary’s Church:
The architecture of Saint Mary’s Church is notable, harmonizing colonial and Gothic styles.Its towering spires, stained glass windows, and intricate details enhance its aesthetic charm.Inside the church, religious artwork and statues adorn the space, creating a serene and spiritual ambiance for both visitors and worshippers.
Erode Saint Mary’s Church Ceremonies:
Saint Mary’s Church serves as a hub for regular religious services, including Mass and other ceremonies. Moreover, it plays a vital role in the cultural and social life of the local Christian community, often hosting events, festivals, and charitable activities that contribute to the well-being of the community.
Saint Mary’s Church Mass timings:
Weekdays : 6 to 7 am, 6:30 to 7:30 pm
Sunday : 6 to 7:30 am, 8 to 9:30 am, 5:30 to 7:30 pm
How to reach Erode Saint Mary’s Church:
- By Road : Local transportation options such as auto-rickshaws, taxis, public buses ,personal vehicle can be used to reach St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
- By train : The nearest railway station is Erode Railway station.
- By Air : The nearest airport is Coimbatore International Airport (approximately 90 kilometers from Erode).
The Velankanni Church also known as the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health is located in the town of Velankanni. Velankanni Church, situated around the Coromandel Coast around 12 kilometres south of Nagapattinam, is considered one of the most prominent Christian pilgrimage centres in India.
More about Velankanni Church
Officially spelt as ‘Vailankanni’, this church is revered for its Roman Catholic shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health. The Shrine of Our Lady of Velankanni is also known as “the Lourdes of the East”.
The Velankanni church is dedicated to Virgin Mary and the Heavenly Mother. It is believed Virgin Mary appeared at this place along with Infant Jesus around the end of 16th and the beginning of the 17th century. After this, Velankanni is said to have become a revered site for the followers of Christianity.
The first apparition of Mother Mary was at Matha Kulam (or Our Lady’s Tank) to a milk vendor boy. The second apparition is believed to be at Naduthittu to a lame boy. Our Lady is also said to have miraculously saved Portugese sailors from violent sea at Velankanni.
There are no written records or attested statements that support the various apparitions attached to the shrine. The Holy See (jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome) has not approved the alleged apparitions or phenomena, yet the cult of the Lady of Velankanni persists.
Architecture of the Velankanni Church
The Velankanni Church is an imposing structure with three chapels within its confines. The church was extended on the southern side in the year 1928 while the northern side underwent extension in the year 1933. However, an extension was made to the Basilica in the year 1974-75 keeping in mind the design of the Basilica in Lourdes in France.
Within the premises of the church is found the Shrine Basilica Main Church, Our Lady’s Tank, Lower Basilica, Upper Basilica Morning Star Church and Naduthittu Church.
Velankanni Church Opening Timings
The church is open on all days from 5:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Daily service at Church includes masses given in Tamil, Malayalam and English. Devotees can also attend Novena Prayers, Rosary and Evening prayers.
Velankanni Church Mass Timings
Shrine Basilica Main Church
- 5:40 AM – Morning Prayer
- 6:00 AM – Mass in Tamil
- 6:45 AM – Matha Blessing (Every Saturday)
- 3:00 PM – Eucharistic Adoration Daily
Our Lady’s Tank
- 7:00 AM – Mass in Tamil (Every Saturday)
- 6:30 PM – Mass in Tamil (Lent Season only)
Lower Basilica
- 7:00 AM – Mass in Tamil
- 7:30 AM – Mass in Tamil (Sunday only)
- 10:00 AM – Mass in English
- 12:00 Noon – Mass in Tamil
- 4:00 PM – Mass in Konkani (Every Tuesday)
- 5:00 PM – Mass in Tamil (Sunday Parishners Mass)
Upper Basilica
- 8:00 AM – Mass in Telugu
- 11:00 AM – Mass in Hindi
- 4:00 PM – Mass in Malayalam (Every Sunday)
Morning Star Church
- 9:00 AM – Mass in Malayalam
- 4:00 PM – Mass in Tamil (Monday to Saturday)
- 8:00 PM – Mass in Konkani
Naduthittu Church
- 7:00 AM – Mass in Tamil (Last Saturday of the month)
How to reach Velankanni Church
Velankanni Church is located at a distance of 12 kilometres from Nagapattinam and 350 kilometres south of Chennai. Local transportation such as buses and taxis can be easily accessed to reach the church. The nearest railway station to Velankanni Church is at Nagapattinam. Trichy Airport (160 kilometres away) and Chennai International Airport (350 kilometres away) are the nearest terminals to the church.
Epilogue
Velankanni Church has been declared as a holy city by Pope and attracts devotees in large numbers from across the world. The church is revered by people of different nationalities irrespective of their caste, creed and religion.
Overview of Basilica of Our Lady of Snows Church – Tuticorin
Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Snow or Our Lady of Snows Church in Tuticorin is dedicated to Mother Mary. The place is believed to have been graced by the visit of Saint Francis in the year 1542. The church was built by the Portuguese on a cliff in the year 1711 and was opened in the year 1713. The church houses the statue of Our Lady that was bought to Tuticorin in the year 1555. The shrine was later raised to the statue of Basilica.
Architecture of Basilica of Our Lady of Snows Church
Our Lady of Snows, built in an ancient architectural style is a famous Christian religious center in Tuticorin. The beautiful church boasts a magnificent Portuegese architecture and an impressive carving of the shrine of Our Lady of Snows. The church is a prominent Catholic pilgrimage site and also one of the top tourist attractions in Tuticorin. The place is thronged by a large crowd of devotees during the annual festival days.
History of Basilica of Our Lady of Snows Church
The history of the church is connected with the conversion of about 22 villages constituting around 30,000 people who embraced Christianity. These native people of the Pearl Fishery Coast had a sharp dispute with the Muslims regarding the right of Pearl Fishing. They converted to Christianity as a token of gratitude to the Portuguese who rescued them from the cruelties of Muslims.
There are many miracles associated with the statue of Our Lady of Snows. According to history, the statue was taken away and installed in a nearby island for a few years. It was returned to the church in the year 1610.
She is fondly referred to as the Mother of Refuge for the coastal villages Vembar, Vaippar, Tuticorin, Punnaikayal, Virapandian patinam, Thiruchendur and Manapad.
The Basilica of Tuticorin
Basilica is a Greek term signifying a Royal Hall, which in time has come to mean a large and beautiful hall. It is the greatest honour for a church to be raised to the status of a Basilica. The 400th Anniversary of the Church of Lady of Snows was marked by Paul John Paul II raising it to the status of Basilica through his apostolic letter dated 30th July 1982.
The Shrine Basilica at Tuticorin has pointed arches, buttresses and ribbed vaults in Portuguese architectural style.
Mass Timings in Basilica of Our Lady of Snows Church
The church is open on all days. The mass timings are as below:
- All Days – 5:30 AM, 6:30 AM and 5:30 PM
- Saturdays – Novena Mass at 11:30 AM and Novena and Benediction at 6:30 PM
- Sundays – 5:00 AM, 6:30 AM, 8:00 AM, 9:30 AM ad 5:30 PM
How to reach Basilica of Our Lady of Snows Church
Tuticorin is well connected by road to all major cities across South India. The nearest railway station and airport to the Church is at Tuticorin.
First Baptist Church of Madurai is also a famous church in Madurai, that is located at S.S Colony, Madurai.
In the year 1974, one Mr. A. Victor, an employee of Indian Railways, along with other 8 ardent devotee of the Christ, started “The First Baptist Church” in a small room.
Then in the year 1985, Mr. James Garlow, a missionary at Silchar, gave some amount with the help of which a piece of land was bought. A church was constructed to spread the message of God via proper channel Today, it has three branches.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Church is quite an old church in India and is the main attraction of Madurai.
It is extremely beautiful and is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madurai.
The specialty of this church is that the towers are bell shaped Roman styled ones rising as high as 140 feet. It is visible from a far distance and is a sight to watch. It is located at Balarengapuram, Madurai and was constructed in the year 1840 as directed by Father Joseph Bertrand, next to the Thirumalai nayakar street with a wall bordering the church. But, now the church is surrounded by four big streets.
As the church got popular, devotees, starting coming in big numbers. The space of the church wasn’t sufficient.
Therefore, in the year 1870, Madurai Catholic Mission renovated the church, and the two towers were also erected at that time. Then in the year 1960, the church was made even bigger and new german style was adopted to accommodate more people.
With a marvelous architecture, it is a perfect blend of different European styles of construction.
Initially, the church was dedicated to Vyakula Matha and localities called it as Vyakula Matha Kovil.
It is open on all days of the week from 6AM to 6PM.
St. Mary’s Cathedral Church is located at Convent Road Melapudur, Trichy.
The church is dedicated to St. Mary who is famously known as “Mother of Good Health”, a literal translation of which means “Arogya Maatha”.
This is one of the oldest churches in India and was the “Mother Church”. It has been in existence for the past 170 years and was built by Jesuit missionary Fr.Louis Carnier.
Holy Mass is held on Sundays between 5.00 a.m and 6.30 a.m, 8.30 p.m and 6.00 p.m, and on Weekdays, it happens between 6.00 a.m and 6.00 p.m. Charismatic Healing Service is provided on Tuesdays from 6.00 to 8.30 p.m.
The church is kept open from 5.00 a.m to 12.00 noon and 4.00 to 8.00 p.m every day for people to make a general visit.
Our Lady of Lourdes Church is an ancient church that is located at Annamalainagar, Woraiyur, Trichy.
It is dedicated to Lady Lourdes and it attracts many tourists and devotees. This church is housed near Rock fort and was built in the year 1840 AD.
The Architecture of the building depicts the Gothic style and it is believed that a mason from Tirunelveli, by the name Savarimuthu, was trained enough to monitor the construction of the church.
It is open from morning 5:30 AM to evening 6:30 PM and it’s Sunday mass attracts many people from various places.
There are two towers, the main tower is 220 ft tall and the small tower is about 120 ft high from the ground. The church bell is about 90 ft high from the ground level.
Please do visit this place when you are here and seek the blessings of Lady Lourdes.
Our Lady Lourdes Church is located in a very prominent place in Chennai called Perambur.
The Shrine here resembles the shrine of Basilica, the church at Lourdes, France. The power of the shrine has attracted many people who have become ardent devotees of Christ.
The interiors of the church should surely be appreciated.
In this church, prayers are conducted in both Tamil and English for the benefit of followers. Many couples like getting married here in front of the divine shrine.
Little Mount Shrine church is located at Saidapet, Chennai, which has two main shrines.
The first shrine is known as the cave. The cave is a place where one of the Disciples of Christ usually came for meditation.
The Second shrine is the miraculous spring that is called as the St. Thomas Fountain.
Many devotees visited the disciple who resided there, and he turned out to be a messenger of Christ. One fine day he struck the rock that was next to him and water started gushing out of the rock. This fountain became the miraculous spring.
