<p>Arthunkal one of the oldest Christian churches in Kerala, is about 22 kilometers north of Alappuzha town. It was once a budhists temple and the name Arthungal derived from Arhant+kall (temple) Portuguese rebuilt this in 17th century B.C.
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</p><p>The deity is that of St.Sebastian, and church comes under the Latin order. It is believed that there in Arthunkal, a number of Christians lived as per traditional style and they were not baptized as there was no church or priest. These people belonged to the Chaldean order (Marthoma sect). In 1579 AD they got permission from the Moothedathu land lords to build church and a thatched hut was built with only a cross inside.
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<a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/11852045@N08/1211702142/">Arthunkal st. Andrews church</a>