The St. Mary’s Church at Kottayam is one of the oldest churches in Kerala. This ancient church is known as Kottayam Cheriyapally (Small Church). It was built by Thekkumkur Maharaja and consecrated by the Portuguese in 1579. The architectural style is European, with galleries, pillars, cornices and pediments. The walls are adorned with beautiful murals on biblical and non-biblical themes in western styles.