In 1557, Puthenpura, Kuttanchira, Karappuzha and Malli families together built the first Christian church at Kochupallikunnel in Puthuppally. This has been recorded by the church historian Z. M. Paret and also by Kuttanchira family member, Dr. K.C. Cherian Pazhayaattunkal, who conducted a special study on the subject matter and also by other family historians. Malayala Manorama Asst. Editor Jacob Eapen has recorded the history of the church as follows: “That church was originally at Kochupallikunnel which was about two furlongs away from the place where Puthuppally Valiyapally was situated. It was built by four families, namely Kuttanchira, Puthenpura, Karappuzha and Malli. It is believed that the church was established in AD 1557 during the reign of Adithya Varma Maharaja.” History professor K.M. Kuriakose has said about this church as follows: “In AD 1557, Kuttanchira Thomman Kathanar at Kottayam, laid the stone for this church in the name of Mar Bahanan Sahadha. The work was completed in two years. The ‘Kochupally’ remained in its place for 83 years. Puthuppally Kochupalli was one among the 72 churches in Kerala at that time.” Z.M. Paret says in the history of the Puthuppally church that: “One thing is clear. When Kottayam Cheriyapally was established in AD 1579, two churches already existed at Manarcadu and Puthuppally.”
The authentic record of these authors is the ancient hymn about the construction of Cheriyapally. It states that “Puthuppally church and Manarcadu church appeared together” during the early days of Cheriyapally. If the credibility of this hymn is doubted, then the authenticity of the ancient song about Puthuppally church should also be doubted. Then the argument that ‘Those who settled in Puthuppally after 1557 played an important role in the construction of Puthuppally church’ will have to be abandoned.
Church historians have recorded that the Puthenpurackal family members, who came to Puthuppally in 1537, were involved in building the church in Kochupallikunnel in 1557 and in shifting the church to Ilamthuruthikunnel in 1640 along with the other three families. Therefore, there is no doubt that the Puthenpurackal family played a decisive role in the construction of Puthuppally church.
The construction of the church was inspired by the desire of those who worshiped in the churches in distant places, to have a church near their residence. It is logical to think that, when the number of parishioners increased, the place was not big enough and because the old building was damaged, the church was relocated to a new building with better transportation facilities. It was this second church, which was rebuilt again to become the present St. George church. The throne of Bahanan Sahadha, which was in the church at Kochupallikunnel, has been installed in the same way in this new church. Around 1750, Puthenpurackal family built the cemetery church and the church well. This information has been quoted in the ‘Smaranika’ by Maliakkal Yacob Kathanar. A specific incident related to this is recorded in the Puthenpurackal family history written by Mannaparampil Iype Mathai. Iype Kurian (Jr) did not have children even in his middle age. The husband and wife were very sad because of this. In order to have a child, they completed the work of the unfinished cemetery church at their own expense and dug a well in front of the church. Their prayers and generosity reached God. The wife became pregnant and gave birth to a son.
Another incident related to this family may also be recorded. During 1847, Bishop Mathews Mar Athanasios and Bishop Mar Koorilos stayed together in this church for a few days. The night before the Perunnal (on 23rd of Malayalam month Medam), Kadhakali and drama was taking place in the churchyard as usual. At night, when Mar Koorilos came out after hearing banging and knocking, he saw ‘Shoorpanakha’ playing on the stage. Knowing that an ancient Hindu story was being played, the bishop got very angry. He took a stick and chased everyone away. In the commotion that followed, Mannaparambil Philippose Kathanar of the Puthenpurackal family, who tried to calm the scene was injured. The unmarried father was already unwell. The name of Mannaparambil Philippose Kathanar is mentioned among the list of priests in Puthenpurackal family, in the historical book written by Cheriyamadathil Yakob Kathanar.