St. Martin of Tours Church – Periyur

Contact Details:

St. Martin of Tours ChurchPeriyurPeriyur, Perumbarai Post, Dindigul District, Tamil Nadu (approximately 28 km from parent parish).
Parish Priest – Rev. Fr. S. V. Arokia Raj (SDM).
Church Established – 2006.

Brief History:

Periyur is situated in the cool hill region of the Palani mountain range, known for coffee, cardamom, cocoa, and pepper plantations. Catholic workers from various areas required spiritual care, and Jesuit priests initially served the community from Kodaikanal seminary. In 1995, St. Therese of Lisieux Sisters established a convent to serve spiritual, educational, and medical needs. The community formally became a branch parish in 2004 under Rev. Fr. Brito Raja Suresh, and the chapel was established on May 7, 2006, under Rev. Fr. Arulazhagu. The patron saint St. Martin was chosen because local residents use horses for transporting agricultural goods, and St. Martin serves as protector of horses and migrant peoples. The church serves 20 families and celebrates its feast on November 11 with a 3-day celebration.