Little Mount Shrine

Wikipedia

Little Mount Shrine
Little Mount Shrine
13°01′00″N 80°13′37″E / 13.0166448°N 80.2269111°E / 13.0166448; 80.2269111
LocationChinnamalai, Tamil Nadu
CountryIndia
DenominationCatholic
Websitelittlemountshrine.com

The Little Mount Shrine is a church located on a hillock in Chinnamalai, Tamil Nadu. It is dedicated to St. Thomas and to Our Lady of Health.[1][failed verification] There is a cave on Little Mount where, according to tradition, St. Thomas lived for some time as a refuge from persecution.[2]:39 Two churches stand on the hill today.[2]:39 One is the old Portuguese-built church dedicated to Our Lady of Good Health, which was built in 1551.[3]:36[failed verification][2]:39 The cave is accessible through this church.[3]:36[failed verification] The other is a newer church built in 1971[2]:39 or 1972, replacing the older parish church.[3]:36[failed verification]

Other organizations of the church

Our Lady of Health School

This school was started with the purpose of providing education in English medium for the poor residents of the Little Mount parish. This school has only primary section and after fifth class students usually move on to other schools for continuing their education.[citation needed]

Immaculate Conception convent

The Immaculate Conception (IC) convent is located behind the church and near the entrance to Holy Land.[citation needed]

Missionaries of Charity (Brothers) - Karunai Illam

Karunai Illam provides a home for the destitute people who are differently disabled, both mentally and physically. It is run by brothers of Missionaries of Charity. Missionaries of Charity, Brothers was founded in 1963 by Mother Teresa to do work similar to the Sisters of Missionaries of Charity.[4]

Ozanam Health Center

This health center was started at the initiative of Society of St. Vincent de Paul of Our Lady of Health Church. It was started at a time when common diseases were spreading among the poor people and doctors were difficult to find. It seeks to provide consultation and treatment to poor people for free or at nominal cost.[citation needed]

St. Thomas Community Hall

A small non-airconditioned community hall was constructed by the Church for use by its parishioners. It is built over two floors and has a very small car park. The first floor can seat about 300 people and the dining ground floor can seat about 100. Cars are often parked outside the facility in the land belonging to Church. It is not available during the Church festival period.[citation needed]

Catholic graveyard

A graveyard used for burying the dead parishioners is located near the newly constructed meetinghouse of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[citation needed]

References

  1. Kurikilamkatt, James (1 January 2022). "Apostle of India: Seven and a Half Churches". In Chathanatt, John (ed.). Christianity. Springer. p. 74-79. doi:10.1007/978-94-024-2241-2_3. Retrieved 14 November 2024.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Kamath, Rina (2000). Chennai, Kanchipuram, and Mamallapuram: A Disha Guide (2nd ed.). Chennai: Orient Longman. ISBN 81-250-1378-4.
  3. 1 2 3 Nagy, Thomas Charles (2016). Catholic Shrines in Chennai, India. Taylor & Francis. ISBN 9781317169147. Retrieved 23 August 2023.
  4. "Layout". Archived from the original on 11 August 2015. Retrieved 17 January 2012.