KOTTAYAM: The Department of Archaeology has urged the district Revenue authorities to take necessary steps to protect the centuries-old twin churches of Ramapuram, as the process of declaring them as protected monuments was nearing completion.

The Church authorities had proposed to demolish the twin churches built in 1450 and 1864 respectively, and erect a new church in its place. S. Hemachandran, director, Department of Archaeology, said the department had faxed a message to the RDO, Pala, stressing the need for conservation of the archaeologically important structures.

Meanwhile, it is learnt that the Church authorities decided to change the venue of prayers to a temporary structure, as the old church was "crumbling" and in a dilapidated condition.

A final decision regarding the demolition would be taken only after the hearing on a submission made to the Government on the issue of the twin churches, sources close to the church authorities said.

When contacted over telephone, Vicar of the Church Rev. Mathai Narivelil said there was no move to demolish the church immediately. "We will demolish it only with Government sanction," he said. The history of the churches also forms part of the history of Christendom in Kerala. The smaller of these Churches, built in 1450 in the name of Virgin Mary by the local people was later rededicated to St. Augustine by Portuguese Archbishop Alexis de Menesis. Its gold covered altar has intricate wood carvings.

The original altar of the church, dedicated to Virgin Mary, is even today preserved and it has exquisite murals in the Kerala style. The bigger church was built in 1864 in memory of the first consecration.

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