Perumpannaiyur: Even though past needs to be preserved, the renovation will make the history more sustainable. Perumpannaiyur, a small village in Thiruvarur district of Tamil Nadu, is a place seldom visited, but a rich content of history lies in her lap. The Saint Joseph's Church in the village is a picturesque one with its elegant European architecture, but it badly needs renovation as it is showing ravages of time.
The church was built by a family and now its surrounding areas are dedicated to the family members. It was unveiled in 1919, though one Chinu Udayan started the work in 1872 and Periasami Udayar completed it a few years later.
The story of Udayar family is a tragic one. Udayar killed his own daughter after her desperate plea to escape from one Poligar. Poligar was a family friend of Udayar who asked Udayar's daughter for marriage and had threatened to carry her away if Udayar refused. The family left the village but the daughter knew that the obsessed man will catch her one day. To avoid that she begged her father to kill her. After Poligar found out that she had been killed, he merely left the scene.
The family didn't go back to their homeland and in the 18th century, one branch of this family adopted Christianity. And the church was raised and after 14 years of construction, it opened for public in 1919. Though the first phase of church construction was over in three years, subsequently work dragged on for 11 years.
The entrance to the Gothic-style church is 153 ft tall and is similar to magnificent European churches in its grandeur. From the floor to the roof of dome it is 75 ft. The three-bell system is another interesting element. The big bell is from France and weighs 2 tons.
At first, the church stood on 400 acres, but one-third has been lost over the years. The five sons of the family, now spread as five communities with 51 families, are settled nearby.
The church was first under the Puducherry Diocese and now it is under the Thanjavur Diocese.
Years of neglect have led to the defacement of its walls with graffiti. Couples seeking privacy offered by the vast property have left behind many 'artistic' works. It is not sure whether they know the story of the girl and Poligar.
The walls have been made with a type of plaster using coconut fibres. But they are damaged at several parts, thus necessitating urgent renovation. However, the restoration is delayed owing to a dispute that the family has with the Diocese.
"Both (family's and church's) perspectives are right, but renovation is the need of this hour," said Fr Lourdusami, the parish vicar. "As you see, the land is still in the hand of family. Twelve villages are depending on this church for their religious needs. If someone doesn't take the initiative for renovation soon, the situation will be more terrible."
The priest's words betray his fear that beautiful church with a rich past will be further vandalized without timely intervention.