In 6th century A.D, it was a common practice of the Christians migrating to places where there was no church, to put up a cross , to light a lamp in front of the cross, and to offer their prayers there, and also to bury their dead in the place around this cross.
Eventually such places became places of regular worship, and even evolved into small churches known as Kurisupally. Some of these evolved into common places of worship, used by Christians and others alike. The cross-centred places where the Christian believers used to pray and bury the dead became known as Kuzhimaada Palli ( meaning tomb-centred churches). Many churches of present central Kerala were such “Kuzhimaada Palli” or tomb-centred churches belonging to either just one family or to a group of five or six families.
The cross and the place around it set by the migrating Christian member of the Edamana Illam in Keeshmadangu became a common place of prayer, worship, and religious rituals also for those who migrated to this area after the 18th century. It was around this cross and place of worship that they used to bury their dead. According to the members of one such family who migrated to here from Edappally, since there was no church in this region, it was at the Edamana Kurissu that the dead persons of their three generations were buried.
In the year 1922, Mr. Chacko Chacko Maaraattukuzhi, a timber merchant from Maraadi, purchased an old jackfruit tree, known as Pallithara Plaavu, from the Edamana Parampu. When it was cut down, a stone designed to be used as the base for a door became visible at the place where the tree stood. Upon inquiry, the people pf the place reported that it was the door step of the Edamana Palli, and that it was more than 100 years since this palli was demolished. At this stage, Mr. Chacko who had purchased that tree expressed the view that the demolished Kurissu Palli should be re-built in the same place, and instantly he donated Rs. 150/-for thius purpose, and handed over this amount to Fr. Jose Punnackapadavil, who was then the Parizh Priest of the Aarakkuzha church. Along with this amount, Mr. Chacko also donated the timber of that jack fruit tree which he had purchased. Soon the Paish Priest convened a meeting of the members of the Edamana Family and discussed the plan for reconstructing the demolished Kurissu Palli. The relevant palm leaf documents were also searched out and handed over to them. However the reconstruction of this Kurissu Palli was done only in the year 1973. At 3.00 P.M on December 23, 1973, this Kurissu Palli was blessed and re-dedicated to St. Mathew, the Apostle. All the people of the place participated in this function. Thus was re-established in 1973 the shrine of St. Mathew the Apostle which was originally established in the year 1812, and which was demolished in 1859.
The feast of St. Mathew the Apostle is now being celebrated every year in this shrine on the 21at of September, which is the official feast of this Apostle.
