The Birth Place of St. Alphonsa

       Kudamaloor is an extensive village area which is stretched about 7 kilometers north from Kottayam in the southern banks of River Meenachil. Almost 800 years ago, Kudamaloor had been famous as the capital of the kingdom of Chempakasserry. The remnants of the fortresses and trenches were found to be seen until about 75 years back.

       The Kudamaloor church was believed to be founded and built by the king of Chempakasserry. The exact date of its foundation is not known. Historical facts about Kudamaloor church are available from the beginning of the 16th century.

       The traditional belief about the beginning of the Kudamaloor church is that the King of Chempakasserry when faced with irresistible hardships due to diabolic interventions, at the suggestion of one astrologer built a small church and brought FOUR Christian families to Kudamaloor for worship in the church. The Muttathupadathu family was one among the four families brought to Kudamaloor by Chempakasserry Raja. 

       The old church at Kudamaloor, which still exists, is believed to be built in the year 1505 A.D.  By that time Kudamaloor parish became extended to the surrounding places like Kumarakom, Kiliroor, Iykarachira, Edackad, Parampuzha, Mudiyoorkara, Arpookara etc.

       To compensate for the insufficiency of the space for accommodating huge number of people belonging to the parish, a new church – spacious and beautiful was built in 1971. Now those who visit Kudamaloor can see the new church with its modern architectural elegance and the old church which stands as a historical monument with architectural beauty and style of antiquity.

       It is in this parish of Kudamaloor that Joseph Muttathupadathu and Mary his wife of Puthukkary Family lived in their ancestral house.  St. Alphonsa, whose maiden name was Annakutty, was born   on 19th August, 1910 as the fourth child of Joseph and Mary Muttathupadathu. She was baptized at the local parish church on 27th August of the same year.  The baptismal font where the saint was baptized is still kept as a sacred treasure in the old church, which is a site for the pilgrims to visit. Annakutty received the First Holy Communion on 27th November, 1917 in this church.