In India, the Dedication of the City of Kerala's Largest Church

Placed under the patronage of St. Augustine, the 75,000 square-foot building can contain 5,000 faithful and includes not only the sanctuary but also a museum, a library and parish halls. 

“St. Augustine’s Church combines different types of architecture: Greek, Portuguese, German and Byzantine. Bas-reliefs depicting the baptism of Jesus and the Virgin Mary decorate the choir,” explained George Njarakkunnel, the vicar of the sanctuary.

The former several-century-old church, that was preserved next to the new church, had become too small. The Catholic community of the Syro-Malabar rite is developing beautifully: “The need for a larger sanctuary made itself felt and our church should be raised to the rank of a basilica in a few years,” Fr. Njarakkunnel went on to explain. 

Kerala is the Indian State with the most Christians; they represent about 20% of the population, compared to the 2% average throughout the nation. Catholics make up three quarters of the State’s Christians.