Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours
Encyclopedia
Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours (Puthan Pally) is a minor basilica
of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
in Thrissur
in the India
n state of Kerala
. The biggest and tallest church in Asia
, it is famous for its Gothic
style architecture
. Built in fine Indo-Gothic style with an area of 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²), it has soaring belfries at the entrance, double storeyed aisles all along the nave and transepts, and eleven altars, five on either side of the main one. It is the largest church in India and its exuberant interior decorations include fine specimens of murals, images of saints and scenes from the scriptures.
The parish and original church building were established in 1814. Thrissur
's first Catholic church, it was a center for Catholic St. Thomas Christians in the area (now the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
) for decades. In 1874, the Chaldean Catholic bishop Elias Mellus
arrived in India
and convinced a large part of the Christian community to accept him as their bishop. The group that followed Mellus was based at Our Lady of Dolours, and eventually separated from the Catholic hierarchy, forming what is now known as the Chaldean Syrian Church
. In response the Syro-Malabar Catholics constructed a new building in 1929. The original church was renamed the Mart Mariam Big Church
, and is now the cathedral of the Chaldean Syrian Church.
The construction of this biggest church in India
was done in different phases, started in the year 1929. The two front towers are of 146 feet (44.5 m) height each and the central tower of 260 feet (79.2 m) height makes this church as tallest in Asia
. Completion of the towers were an architectural challenge. Few experts from Tamil Nadu
were brought over. Architect who completed the church was Ambrose Gounder.
Minor basilica
Minor basilica is a title given to some Roman Catholic churches. By canon law no Catholic church can be honoured with the title of basilica unless by apostolic grant or from immemorial custom....
of the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in India is an East Syrian Rite, Major Archiepiscopal Church in full communion with the Catholic Church. It is one of the 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in the Catholic Church. It is the largest of the Saint Thomas Christian denominations with more than 3.6...
in Thrissur
Thrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n state of Kerala
Kerala
or Keralam is an Indian state located on the Malabar coast of south-west India. It was created on 1 November 1956 by the States Reorganisation Act by combining various Malayalam speaking regions....
. The biggest and tallest church in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
, it is famous for its Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
style architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
. Built in fine Indo-Gothic style with an area of 25000 square feet (2,322.6 m²), it has soaring belfries at the entrance, double storeyed aisles all along the nave and transepts, and eleven altars, five on either side of the main one. It is the largest church in India and its exuberant interior decorations include fine specimens of murals, images of saints and scenes from the scriptures.
The parish and original church building were established in 1814. Thrissur
Thrissur
This article is about the city in India. For the district, see Thrissur district. For the urban agglomeration area of Thrissur see Thrissur Metropolitan Area...
's first Catholic church, it was a center for Catholic St. Thomas Christians in the area (now the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
Syro-Malabar Catholic Church
The Syro-Malabar Catholic Church in India is an East Syrian Rite, Major Archiepiscopal Church in full communion with the Catholic Church. It is one of the 22 sui iuris Eastern Catholic Churches in the Catholic Church. It is the largest of the Saint Thomas Christian denominations with more than 3.6...
) for decades. In 1874, the Chaldean Catholic bishop Elias Mellus
Elias Mellus
Mar Yohannan Elias Mellus was a Bishop of the Chaldean Catholic Church.Elias Mellus was born on September 19, 1831 in Mardin. He entered in the monastery of Rabban Hormizd in Alqosh...
arrived in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and convinced a large part of the Christian community to accept him as their bishop. The group that followed Mellus was based at Our Lady of Dolours, and eventually separated from the Catholic hierarchy, forming what is now known as the Chaldean Syrian Church
Chaldean Syrian Church
The Chaldean Syrian Church is an Indian Christian church that is currently an archbishopric of the Assyrian Church of the East. Its members are part of the St. Thomas Christian community, who trace their origins to the evangelical activities of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. They are almost...
. In response the Syro-Malabar Catholics constructed a new building in 1929. The original church was renamed the Mart Mariam Big Church
Mart Mariam Big Church
Mart Mariam Cathedral is the cathedral of the Chaldean Syrian Church of India, part of the Assyrian Church of the East. It is located in Thrissur in the state of Kerala, and is the city's first Christian church....
, and is now the cathedral of the Chaldean Syrian Church.
The construction of this biggest church in India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
was done in different phases, started in the year 1929. The two front towers are of 146 feet (44.5 m) height each and the central tower of 260 feet (79.2 m) height makes this church as tallest in Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
. Completion of the towers were an architectural challenge. Few experts from Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu
Tamil Nadu is one of the 28 states of India. Its capital and largest city is Chennai. Tamil Nadu lies in the southernmost part of the Indian Peninsula and is bordered by the union territory of Pondicherry, and the states of Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh...
were brought over. Architect who completed the church was Ambrose Gounder.