10th May 2019.
This 19th Century Sacred Heart Church is also in the list of places to be visited during our Idaikattur Visit. This gothic style architecture Church was built by a French Missionary Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ, who took charge of Idaikattur Church in 1878 AD. He passed away on 29th Dec 1899 AD at the age of 59 and the bones are transferred to this Church on 13th June 1911 AD. The present Church was built a replica of Rhemis Cathedral of France. This Church was declared as a tourist spot by the Tamil Nadu Government.
HISTORY AND LEGEND
Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ, wanted to built a new Church to accommodate 1000 people, since the old thatched roof church was very small. To mobilize the required fund he went to his native country, where he met the French Anglican lady Mary Anne. She got cured from her severe heart ailment through prayer of Jesus. As a token of her gratitude to the sacred heart of Jesus, she gave 2000 franks and requested Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ to built a church similar to Rhemis Cathedral of France. When the Church was solemnized is not known. The Church was renovated and solemnized on 07th July 2007. The person Arulanandham Pillai who was helpful in constructing this Church was passed away on 29th December 1896 at the age of 76.
LEGAL BATTLE:
In the process of construction and miscalculation Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ, encroached a land measuring 1500 sqft which was objected by the adjacent land owner. When Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ, came to know about this, told the adjacent land owner, that a mistake was happened and the structure also cannot be altered at that stage. When Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ told that, he was ready to pay the cost of the land for which the Villagers didn’t agreed. The Villagers filed a suit in Madras High Court against Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ. The civil case prolonged for about 26 years.
A Commission was appointed by the Judge to resolve this problem. The head of the commission got a dream of angles constructing the Church, on the previous day night of visit to this place. When the commission personnel visited the spot and the head of the Commission was shocked to see the similar Church which he had seen in his dream. The head of Commission convened a meeting with the Villagers. The 26 years long legal battle came to an end when the villagers had agreed to donate a land of measuring 25 x 150 feet, which was above the encroached area.
SPECIAL FEATURES
Since the Church was said to be built by the angles Fr R P Ferdinandus Celle SJ, erected 153 stucco images of angles, which are brought from France. 4o saints relics in four elliptical shaped wooden bowls are also installed in the alter.
ARCHITECTURE
Even-though this Church was said to be the replica of Rheims Cathedral of France, it has some additional features. The Church was built with 200 different types of bricks with lime mortar. The inner columns / pillars are embedded with Gothic style of arches, which rises raises up to the vaulted roof. The arches are decorated with rows of beads, flowers, garlands made of terracotta. The hallow bricks are used to reduce the heat. Also there is a vacuum gap between the inner vaulted roof to reduce the sun heat, inside the shrine.
The stained glass has the art work of events happened in Jesus life. The stucco work of Saints, angles, Jesus foster father St. Joseph, mother of sorrows and the Holy family are the great beauty and best example of French ancient art work.
The Historical event of Kilavan Sethupathi’s son in-law Kattayadevan conversion to Christianity is shown in the form of stained glass art work. The main alter depicts the doctrine of the Christianity ie, the father, the Son Jesus and the holy spirit are shown clearly.
Special prayers are offered for heart ailments & cancer, to remove obstacles for marriage, to get success in operation, to get rid of debt, etc,. Apart from regular prayers special prayers are conducted on Sundays, First Friday and Saturday of every month.
CONTACT DETAILS:
The land line +91 4574 267212 may be contacted for further details.
The e-mail address sacredheartblessings@gmail.com
The website address: www.shsi.org
HOW TO REACH:
Town bus route nos 99F from Periyar bus stand, 99M from Mattuthavani bus stand stops at Muthanenthal and from there share autos are available to Idaikattur.
All the buses to Manamadurai from Madurai stops at Muthanenthal.
Nearest Railway station is Manamadurai.
LOCATION: CLICK HERE
---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---
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