Location
Quiet close to the temple is the St Mary's Knanaya Church, also known as the Valiapally, or the big church. The church is located atop a hill and is dedicated to St Mary. It was constructed in 1550 AD by the successors of Syrian Knanaya Christians who came to India in 345 AD. The land on which the church stands today was donated by Hindu chieftain. Inside the church, there are two granite Persian crosses, each sculpted out of a single piece of stone and bearing an inscription Pahlavi language (the erstwhile official language of Sassanian dynasty of Persia). The altar and the ceiling, too, are adorned with paintings from Bible. The main feast of the church is held on 24th April and is known as St George's Feast.