By A S Hareesh Kumar
TIRUVALLA : An apse comprising a rare laterite dome. A history of 120 years. The wood that
went into its making was hauled along the Manimala river. The Immanuel Mar Thoma Church in
Eraviperoor is not without its share of historical and archaeological importance. Believers also
claim it is the first church to have tiled roofing among the state’s Mar Thoma Churches.
Why wouldn’t the believers then oppose a move by some members and the clergy to demolish
the church? The experts at Vasthuvidya Gurukulam in Aranmula – the government agency for the
promotion of traditional architecture under the Culture Department – had said in its 2006 report
the apse of the church is an example for rare laterite dome construction.
“The church is in good condition. Five-hundred people can be accommodated with full visibility
and audibility. If a CCTV is installed, the number of people can be increased up to 650,” the
Gurukulam report said.One of the complainants to the Pathanamthitta District Collector, K V
Oommen Karikkattu, told Express the whole of Eraviperoor had participated in the construction
of the church.“The materials were brought through the Manimala river,” Oommen said.
“Those days, there were neither vehicles nor any equipment. Giant logs of wood were brought
through the river by mere manpower. The balcony, wooden steps, walls and other segments were
constructed with unique techniques. Our pioneers said the roof tiles were brought through the
river in a country-boat and transported from the