Spiritual PlaceCatholic basilica

St. Mary, Queen of Peace Basilica

Palayam church that began as a converted cinema in 1933, the first Syro-Malankara basilica

Photo: Photograph: Kumbalam · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons

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01 — The story

The St. Mary, Queen of Peace Basilica stands in the Palayam–Cantonment area of Thiruvananthapuram. It began in an unusual way: the old Pompador Cinema was turned into a church, consecrated on 11 March 1933, the same day Archbishop Mar Ivanios was enthroned here. Its tin roof earned it the nickname 'Tin Church', Thakara Palli.

In 1991 a new building replaced the tin church and was dedicated to St. Mary, Queen of Peace. In 2008 it became the first church of the Syro-Malankara Catholics raised to a basilica, and the fifth basilica in Kerala, and it was renovated and blessed again in 2019.

Unmapia

02 — About

Coming soon

We’re still writing about St. Mary, Queen of Peace Basilica: its history, what’s there and why it’s worth the trip.