British-built Pallikkunnu CSI church gets ₹99.92-lakh tourism project

The elegant British-built St. George CSI Church, with its famous gothic-style architecture at Pallikunnu, near Kuttikanam, in Idukki, finally gets a State government tourism project. According to officials, the Tourism department has allotted ₹99.92 lakh for the development and beautification of church – a living memorial of the beginning of the plantation industry during the British period in the Peerumade hills in Idukki.

According to officials, the money has been allotted for the tourism project based on a detailed project report submitted by the Tourism department. The government allotted funds for the project’s works including the entrance gate, snack bar, toilet block, pathway, landscaping, sitting benches, electrical lights, waste bins, playing equipment, parking area, and CCTV network. Officials said that the project is expected to be completed within 12 months.

CSI East Kerala Diocese public relations officer (PRO) Viju P. Chacko said that, apart from the religious aspect, Pallikkunnu CSI Church is the window of the tea plantation history in the Peerumade hills in Idukki. “The church and cemetery will provide a brief picture of the plantation culture of Peerumade and those who are behind the initiatives. We hope the tourism project will help attract more tourists to Idukki,” said Mr. Chacko.

The Pallikkunnu CSI church was constructed by British missionary Henry Baker Junior in 1869.

“The tomb of a white horse, named Downy, belonged to John Daniel Munro, who was instrumental in developing tea plantations in the Peerumade hills, and Munnar is one of the major attractions in the British-built cemetery. It is a rare fact that the tomb of a horse is preserved in a church cemetery,” said Mr. Chacko.

According to sources, for the first time in the district the department has allotted a tourism project for a church of historical significance.

According to historical records, the first commercial tea plantation began in the Peerumade hills in 1875. The Pallikkunnu CSI church played a pivotal role in the development of the plantation sector in the Peerumade hills during the British period.