World | India
Asia's tallest church grows with charity
Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours will donate 125 sovereigns of gold to 25 underprivileged women from different communities
- IANS
- Published: 00:00 September 21, 2011
Thrissur: Shrine Basilica of Our Lady of Dolours — billed as the tallest church in Asia at 260 feet — has decided to donate 125 sovereigns of gold to 25 underprivileged women from different communities.
"Through this we feel our church has grown even taller. The entire money has been collected from our parish members," remarked Simon Joseph, who heads the charity activities of the church parish that has just 600 members.
The church was consecrated on November 24, 1940. Its tallest section is a staggering 260ft from the ground. Its total plinth area measures 25,000 sq ft.
The church is built in classic Gothic style and has a Bible Tower which contains a rare collection of copies of the Bible, as well as many valuable paintings.
"When gold prices are skyrocketing, and gold is an essential ingredient of a girl's marriage, anxious parents belonging to all religions in Kerala go through agony," said Joseph. "Under the leadership of our rector, Reverend Louis Edakalathur, we decided to mitigate the agony of 25 sets of parents belonging to all religions, especially from the lower strata of society."
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