St. Thomas Church (Palayur) is located at Palayur (also spelt Palayoor), in Thrissur district in Kerala on the west coast of India. According to tradition, it was established in 52 AD by St Thomas, one of the twelve close disciples of Jesus Christ. Palayoor church is the oldest (Romo-Syrian) Church in India and is called an Apostolic Church credited to the Apostolate of St. Thomas who preached and also started conversion of people to Christianity here. It was part of the seven churches that he established in India; the other six churches were established at Cranganore, Kokkamangalam, Kottakavu, (Parur), Quilon, Niranam, and Chayal. It is also called the Syro-Malabar church, an Apostolic Church and is said to be one of “the 22 sui iuris Oriental Churches in Catholic Communion with its own p