St Mary's Orthodox Church is located at
Kallooppara in
Pathanamthitta District. It is surrounded by the
Manimala River. The church is believed to have been constructed in the 2nd century. The foundation stone of the present church was laid on Malayalam month Karkadakam in the year 1339. The architecture of the church is that of early Travancore style. There are two granite slabs with some inscriptions in the
pali language on the eastern and western wings of the church. The sculptures and figures carved in wood are noteworthy.
The church conducts the Sunday Schools at three different locations. Three separate women associations, Martha Mariyam Samajam, are also functioning in the church. The main festival of the church is the
Kallooppara Perunal, which is celebrated on January 15th. Another celebration is held on July 5th, the foundation day of the Church.
The church can be approached by road and is on the
Thiruvalla–
Mallappally route. The nearest railway station is at Thiruvalla.
