Archaeological and Historical Chronology of Vadakkankulam 1542–1545 A.D. – Coastal Missionary Expansion The Christian development of the Tirunelveli and Travancore regions began in phases following the coastal missionary expansion initiated by St. Francis Xavier around 1542– 1545. While the early missionary activities were concentrated along the coastal belt, inland Christian centers such as Vadakkankulam gradually emerged during the later Jesuit expansion into the interior regions. Vadakkankulam is mentioned among the chief Catholic communities of old Tinnevelly founded after 1545, as recorded in India Orientalis Christiana (Page 168).By Fr. Paulinus of St. Bartholomew (Carmelite) Printed in Rome in 1714 Late 16th to Early 17th Century – Jesuit Madurai Mission Expansion Vadakkankulam was counted among the fourteen important churches founded by the Jesuit Fathers of the Madurai Mission during the period of Fr. Roberto de Nobili. According to India Orientalis Christiana (Page 154), Madurai was regarded as the first among these mission centers, while Vadakkankulam was considered the last established among them. Early Origins of Vadakkankulam Settlement At the time of its earliest beginnings, Vadakkankulam was a forest region covered with bushes, trees, and deep pits. In this remote wilderness, People from both Travancore and the Pandiyan Kingdom who desired to embrace Christianity, practice the faith, or receive the Sacraments gradually began visiting Vadakkankulam. Observing that the locality served as a convenient stopping place between Travancore and the Pandiyan Kingdom, the missionary considered it suitable for establishing a residence. Thus began the formation of the Christian settlement of Vadakkankulam. Circa 1680 A.D. – Arrival of the First Catholic Families Around 1680 A.D., a few Catholic families migrated to Vadakkankulam. Among them was Sandhai, a Christian woman from Thoppuvilai, together with her husband Gnamuthunadar. Being firm in her Catholic faith, she erected a small “Crusadi” opposite her residence. One day, while gathering cotton in the countryside, she encountered a Catholic priest travelling on horseback and requested him to bless her house and the Crusadi. The priest willingly accepted her request. That priest was St. John de Britto.
1