User:Varapuzha Former Cathedral/sandbox

Our lady of Mount Carmel & St Joseph's Monastery cum Parish Church, popularly known as Varapuzha Church is situated in Varapuzha, A northern suburban town of Kochi City of Kerala state, India. This is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in India, built in 1673 AD. The church is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mother of Mount Carmel & St Joseph, solemnity Our Lady's asssumption is celebrated in every year as the annual  confraternity festival, a Sixteen-day festival starting from 31st of the month of July to 15th August. The church is also popular among the non-Christians as a pilgrimage centre and this seventh Forane of Roman Catholic Metropolitan Archdiocese of Verapoly also served as the Mother Church of the 14 churches listed below.


 * 1) Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church, Manjummel
 * 2) St.Philomena's Forane Church, Koonammavu
 * 3) St Augustine's Church ,Moolampilly
 * 4) St Francis Xavier Church,Pizhala
 * 5) Sacred Heart Church,Kothad
 * 6) St James Church ,Cheranallore
 * 7) Our lady of Perpetual help Church,Cheranallore
 * 8) Church of Our Lady of Velankanni, Chariyamthuruth
 * 9) Christ the King Church-Christnagar,Varapuzha
 * 10) Church of Our Lady of Nativity, Muttinakam, Varapuzha
 * 11) Little Flower Church, Panayikulam
 * 12) Sacred Heart Church, Thevarkad, Varapuzha.
 * 13) Infant Jesus Church, Thundathumkadavu, Varapuzha.
 * 14) St. Antony's Church,Chennur, Varapuzha.

Details
This Church had been the seat of the Metropolitans till 1904. The headquarters was then shifted to the town of Ernakulam hence, for easier administration. As the original seat of the Latin Bishop, the church holds a unique place in the history of Latin Catholics in the area. Presently the church offers solace to the faithful who gather there for the powerful intercessions of Our Lady and St. Joseph.