Metropolitan Archbishop Mar Joseph Perumthottam will bless and dedicate the newly constructed Lourdes Forane church under the Syro-Malabar church in Kottayam at a function to be held here on November 23.
With a total built up area of 13,000 sqft it is designed as a combination of the Roman,Gothic and Indian architecture and has a capacity to conduct mass for 2,000 persons at a given point of time. The edifice will be home to several features including sculptures and pictures portraying scenes from the Holy Bible and side arches, among other things.
The Madhaba, which expands to a total area of 1,200 sq.ft, rises up to 55 feet . A holy cross constructed in the traditional style and a ‘Japamala wall’ are the two other major attractions. The total cost of construction is estimated to be around ₹8 crore.
The construction of the new parish church began at the location in 2011. The construction works were coordinated by the Church’s vicar Joseph Manakkalam and Assistant vicar Joseph Alungal. Alongside its construction, the parish also built houses for several homeless persons under the parish. Cardinal George Alencherry, Head of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, will inaugurate the celebrations on December 1.
