Kolenchery
The name of the place originates from St. Peter's and St. Paul's Orthodox Syrian Church or 'Kolenchery Church', which is an ancient and historic church at Kolenchery built by Thankan Mappila of the Kolenchery House in 9th century CE (7th century in Malayalam Calendar). Tomb of Mar Thoma VII, the 7th Malankara Metropolitan, is situated in this historical Church.
St. Peter's College in the town has conducted botanical research.
Etymology
In 345 AD, a family known as 'those who came from Syria' came along with Thomas of Cana and settled in the merchant centre of Kozhenchery. A branch of this family settled in Kandanad and later on in Elamkulam for business purposes. As this family came from Kozhenchery they came to be known as the 'Kolenchery family' and since this family established it, the church came to be known as 'Kolenchery church', from which originated the name of the place.
References
- ^ Kerala (India); A. Sreedhara Menon (1982). Kerala District Gazetteers: Arnakulam. printed by the Superintendent of Govt. Presses. Retrieved 18 March 2011.
- ^ Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre (2008). Indian science abstracts. Indian National Scientific Documentation Centre. Retrieved 18 March 2011.