 Church at Kanyakumari was buit on the land given by arachan (king) and hence the name Arappally (half church).The Marthoma Pontifical shrine (Kodungaloor Mar Thoma Church) is considered to beone of the first church built by St. Thomas.The church is situated on the banks of the River Periyar about 6 km from Kodungallur, in the village of Azhikode in Kerala.