History of the St. Mary's Cathedral Kundara

St. Mary's Cathedral Kundara is a church that was founded by one family, which was part of a group of twelve families that had migrated from Kuravilangad and Kudashanad to Kundara. The church was initially known as the Kundara Valiya Pally, and was established with the permission and sponsorship of the Illayidathu Maharajavu, also known as Kottarakara Thamburan. Over time, other families joined the church, including the Panicker Family, who were baptized by St. Thomas the Apostle and were part of the Pakalomattam Vilayil Tharakan Family. During the reformation movement, the Kundara Valiyapally split into two groups. One group supported the reformation movement and became known as the Marthoma Syrian Church, while the other group became known as the Jacobite Syrian Church. Another separation occurred when Metropolitan Vattasseril Mor Dionysius excommunicated a group from the Malankara Orthodox Church, which then took over administration of the Kundara Valiyapally. The majority of people from the Kundara Valiyapally supported the Jacobite Syrian Church (which later became the Malankara Orthodox Church after the administration of the Pakalomattam Vilayil Tharakan Family ended). The Marthoma Syrian Church established a new church on land sponsored by the Kundara Valiya Pally, known as the Kundara Salem Pally, which belonged to traditional and non-traditional families. The Vilayil Tharakan Family established a new church, initiated by the Kurikeshu Family and Father Kurikeshu Esho Kashesha (who had a Jewish priesthood from Malankara Reesh Metropolitian Yuyakim Mor Coorilos and was related to the Jews), after a clash between Jewish and Christian priesthood. The priesthood of Jesus Christ was later carried by the Thenguvilayil family, which was part of the Vilayil Tharakan Pakalomattam family, and was joined by other families with the permission of the parish members, including the Padinjaravila and Kallumottil families. The church was granted permission by the Travancore Maharajavu and the Malankara Metropolitan under a separate constitution for administration. The parish church received blessings from Parumala Mor Gregorios and Kaniyamparambil Curien Cor-Episcopa. After a dispute, the Thenguvila church started the Chapel of Arumurikada, which became known as the Chapel of Puthenpally, while the other church became known as the St. Mary's Jacobite Syrian Cathedral Kundara, under the St. Mary's Trust Kundara.