THOOTHUKUDI: St Thomas Church in Virapandianpatnam, Thoothukudi District, is fully geared up for its Quasqui Centennial Celebration (125-years) that falls on August 15, 2011. The 10-day celebrations started on August 6. This coastal village, sandwiched between Tiru chendur and Kayalpatnam is fondly known as ‘Patnam’. True to this term, this place is unique in many ways, with Roman Catholics being the dominant population. Anything to do with the church is something special to the residents, and when it is an occasion as important as the 125th year of their pastoral church, there is a reason to celebrate. More so, it serves as a kind of reunion of the people settled in far-off places.St Thomas Church, consecrated on Aug15,1886, is now an epitome of architec tural expertise. At the time of its consecration, the church stood without its two steeples and it was only in 1904 that the steeple work started. It took nearly five years to complete the work, said Fr G Joseph, Parish Priest and president of the St Tho mas Church Jubilee Committee.The steeples now stand a towering 155-ft. The church is 180-feet in length and 55-feet in breadth. Inside the church, there are eight massive vaults, supported by 18 grand pillars. There are three altars with exquisitely carved woodwork as its backdrop.The church has been renovated for the occasion and the vaults reinforced scientifically. Bishops of Thoothukudi, Kottar and Arch Bishop of Madurai were part of the main celebrants during the 10th day feast.
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