KOCHI: The campaign of The New Indian Expres s to protect the ancient twin churches at Ramapuram in Kottayam district bear fruits with the Kerala High Court upholding the Archaeological Department’s steps to declare them as protected monuments.
The church authorities, who wanted to demolish the twin church buildings to construct a new one, had challenged the steps taken by the Archaeological Department to take over the same and preserve them.
Vicar Fr Mathew Nariveli and two trustees of the St Augustine’s Forane Church, Ramapuram, were the petitioners.
The churches are a treasure trove of invaluable murals and a rhythmic blend of Indian and Portuguese architecture. The mural ‘Last Supper’ at the church under the Pala diocese is a rare piece of art. ‘ Express ’ carried a report on the murals in the church and the painting, believed to be the work of Italian monk which is a unique composition.
‘The Last Judgement’ is the another masterpiece. The church, which is called ‘valiyapalli’ as it is the larger of the twin churches, nestled majestically atop the hillock in the picturesque Ramapuram village is a magnificent blend of typical Kerala and Portuguese architecture. The entrance has relievos of gun-wielding Portuguese soldiers and roaring lions.
Increase in number of parishioners and lack of space to accommodate them in the church is cited as the reason for the demolition of the church.
There was another argument that there was no need for demolishing the church to build a new one. The church is located in 20 acres of land so there is enough space to construct the proposed church without demolishing the existing one.
The Kerala Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1969 stipulates that the building and other structures which are historically and culturally important and which are century old and above should be preserved even if they have not been declared protected monuments.
The State Archaeology Department had issued a notice to the church authorities through the Revenue officials, directing them not to alter the structure of the church building.