St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal: HistorySt. Andrew's Old church Arthunkal
The first church was built in 1579. The highly decorated altar of the church is worth visiting. Later a new church, in front of the old church, facing the Arabian Sea was constructed in 1967 in rock. The old church bell tower is 120 ft high and having a foreign made bell weighing more than 1000 kg. Earlier the bell was rung by trained person as it was operate by a special mechanism. The church has a width of 51 m and a height of 81 m. The St. Sebastian's statue from Milan, Italy (in 1647) is placed on south side of the main altar.
In 1579 when the Muthedathu, Elayidathu ruler gave permission to build churches, The Marthoma (Chaldaic Christians) at Arthunkal built a thatched chapel facing north in the name of St. Thomas. There they kept the Holy cross and the statue of St. Thomas and began worship. (This St.Thomas Statue is kept in the south altar, in the new church).
Portuguese Missionaries visited Muthedath and found many St. Thomas Christians here. They were not baptised, but their ancestors were. The Portuguese Bishop Dom Matheeus Demadina built a church made of wood in the name of 'Santhanthraos' in the place of the thatched chapel on 30th November 1581, The Portuguese missionaries established "Santharthre mission" and forced the Marthomite Christians to accept the Latin rite. The first vicar was Fr. Gasper Pius S.J. In 1584 A.D., Fr Jacomo Fenicio S.J. was appointed vicar of Arthunkal. He started construction of a new church in stone, with permission of the king, and completed it in 7 years. After Fr Fenicio was transferred to Kozhikode, eight priests took charge in succession.
Fr Fenicio was appointed again in 1619, and in the next year, he reconstructed the church. He was much loved and was considered a holy man by the people and the administrators
People called him saint and 'Veluthachan', meaning white father. 'Veluthachan' later became the popular name of St. Sebastian. Fr Fenicio said to have performed lots of miracles while he was still alive. Even Hindus believed in the power of his prayers and approached him for his blessings. He was known as the second Apostle of the east and died in 1632. Huge was the crowd including kings flowed in, to pay him the final tribute. His body was buried inside the church and people used to pray and light candles there. The tomb is still preserved near the altar of the old church. Later in 1640, Fr. Fossaseka who took charge after Fr.Fenicio rebuilt it facing
towards west.
St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal
In 1647 the statue of St. Sebastian was brought from Milan and placed here. In 18th Century, the church was taken charge by Carmelite missionaries from Jesuit missionaries. During the Carmelite service on 29 November 1829. Blessed Chavara Kuriyakose Ealiyas was ordained by Rt. Rev. Dr. Stabalini the Bishop of Verapoly who was residing in Arthunkal St.Andrew's church.
 
Fr. Sebastian Presentation who was considered a holy priest, Msgr Silvarius Jackson who later became the first Vicar General of the diocese of Alappuzha and Msgr Daniel Kurisunkal who completed the present church, were the successors. Msgr Daniel Kurisunkal was followed by Msgr Peter Karumancherry, Rev. Dr. Dominic Koil Parampil, Msgr Andrew, Fr. Paul Arackal, Fr. Mariyan Jose Periera.
The present Vicar Forane is Rev. Fr. Pius Arattukulam assisted by Rev. Fr. Titus Chullickal, Rev. Fr Sebastian Sasthamparampil, and Rev Fr Joseph Jenesius Saiza, who is in charge of Little Flower Church, Ayiramthai.
The Church sextons are Sam James Koil Parampil and Vincent Johnson. The Church trustees are Jos Kakkariyil, Simon Kurisunkal and Johny Pulickal.
  ================================================ Arthunkal St. Andrew's Forane Church, the first Parish of the Diocese of Alleppey has been elevated to the status of Basilica on 9th of July 2010. St. Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkalwill become the first Basilica in the Diocese of Alleppey and the 7th Basilica in Kerala. 
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