St. Sebastian Church – Vellalangkottai Tirunelveli

Contact Details:

St. Sebastian ChurchVellalangkottai, ThoothukudiVellalangkottai, Kayathar Taluk, Thoothukudi District, Tamil Nadu.
Parish Priest – Rev. Fr. Vincent.

Brief History:

The settlement was originally called Vellaiyanaikoottai before being renamed Vellalangkottai after destruction by fire. A thatched chapel was constructed in 1811. Following a miraculous incident where a cross-marked stone with glowing light was discovered, a new church was established on July 26, 1849. When construction of an expanded church was decided, Jesus appeared in a dream to two residents and sketched the temple design in sand, exactly matching what was later built. The cross-shaped church was consecrated on August 23, 1925. The church gained prominence for healing during cholera and smallpox epidemics. The church serves 40 families as a branch of Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Kayathar. The feast is celebrated on January 20th over ten days.