Often called the “Goa of Kerala”, Sampaloor rose to prominence during the Portuguese era as a major Jesuit mission center.This historic church has strong connections to early Christian missionaries, especially St. Francis Xavier, who visited Sampaloor three times—in 1542, 1544, and 1548—helping to establish it as a significant Jesuit hub in South India.
The name "Sampaloor" is believed to have originated from the Portuguese term “São Paulo Ur”, meaning “land of St. Paul”, reflecting its early Christian influence. In addition to St. Xavier, Sampaloor welcomed several other legendary missionaries St. John de Britto, who visited in 1673–74. Fr. Joseph Constantine Beschi (Veeramamunivar), an Italian missionary and the author of Thembavani, who is buried near the church.
Arnos Pathiri (Johann Ernst Hanxleden), a German Jesuit priest and scholar of Sanskrit and Malayalam, who was ordained here.
The church once formed part of a larger religious complex that included St. Paul’s Seminary, St. Paul’s Monastery, and St. Paul’s Press (established in 1663), where the first Malayalam texts were printed. Sadly, these institutions were destroyed during Tipu Sultan’s invasion in 1781.
Rebuilt in 1862 by Bernadian Bechinelly, the church was consecrated in its current form on December 2, 1979. Today, it houses two museums: the Historicum Museum and the Anglo-Indian Cultural Museum, displaying rare artifacts, early printing equipment, liturgical items, and even cannonballs from Tipu Sultan’s attack.
St. Francis Xavier’s Church remains a protected heritage site and a vibrant spiritual destination, continuing to inspire faith and preserve history in the heart of Kerala.
Address: Palayamparambu Rd, Vynthala, Kallur Vadakkummuri, Kerala 680731
