The four-century-old St Thomas Church in Kozhencherry held a funeral prayer recently. The air was solemn, the prayers fervent. There was something different, though. The service was held for 59-year-old Ajikumar Kurupp. He had guarded the church as a security staff member for 23 years. When he died, the parish fraternity got together for the service and prayer. Though Ajikumar belonged to a different faith, the church immediately stepped forward to take responsibility for the funeral.

Ajikumar, a native of Prakkanam, near Elanthoor, died of a heart attack last Sunday. The body was brought from the mortuary to the church on Tuesday morning. It was for the first time in its history that the church opened its doors to lay the body of a non-member inside, allowing the parish community to pay homage. Believers gathered around the stretcher, where the body of Ajikumar was placed before the altar. Songs and chants filled the hall.

“After an hour, the body was taken to Ajikumar’s house. The funeral was held according to the Hindu rites, but the church community stayed by the family’s side till the cremation, covering all expenses,” said Kozhencherry ward member Roy Philip.

Known for his dedication, Ajikumar managed the church premises as if it were his own home. “There was no need to tell him what to do. He knew it all—security, auditoriums, parish hall, even the trees and parking grounds. He took care of everything, always vigilant on the marriages and other functions happening here,” said Vicar Fr Abraham Thomas. “It was he who planted and took care of the trees and plants here,” he added.

Even when a security agency was brought in ten years ago, the church chose to retain him. “He once told us, ‘I will die here, in the church I have guarded all these years.’ That was his level of commitment,” the vicar recalled. The church community also came together earlier to support his heart treatment, pooling funds so he could continue his duties.

His routine was disciplined. On regular days, he arrived by bus around 10 am. On Sundays, when the early mass began at dawn, his son dropped him off on a two-wheeler by 5 am. Beyond security, he became the caretaker of the premises.

Last Sunday, Ajikumar came to the church even though it was his day off. He showed signs of uneasiness. He went home after calling his son, but later succumbed to a heart attack in the afternoon.

“The church is entrusted with many charity activities. However, he never asked for any financial help and never borrowed any money from here, though he came from a humble background,” the vicar said. “To take Ajikumar Kurupp to the church for the last time was a collective decision. None had any objection. We wanted to give back at least this much to someone who gave us everything.”

Ajikumar leaves behind his wife, Suja Aji, and children Jithin, Vishnu, and Arya.