St Lawrence Shrine
The Roman Catholic Church, St. Lawrence Shrine or Attur Church is famous in the Karkala region. With miraculous history since foundation in 1759 this church has causal relation with famous Attur Jatre or Attur Fest usually named Attur festival. Located in the fringes of Karkala town of southern Indian state Karnataka, Attur Church is surrounded by wonderful greenery making its atmosphere natural. This church is in the notice since foundation because of miracles it had and the great location so is it known for the role to rebuild nearby societies through constant efforts to offer direction to local inhabitants.
This church hardly has any discrimination of caste or creed and is known more for auguring all communities to arrive for worship. It is known more to advocate peace and brotherhood universally. Large scale of people arrives at St Lawrence to pray.
Uniqueness of this church is that besides promoting religious faith it equally inspires worshippers for active involvement in activities that help societies to grow fast. The activities are performed without making hue and cries as main purpose is to carry out social activities practically. Church administration runs a school and orphanage to support society.
History
The time period from 1784 to 1799 had tough phase for local Christians who suffered too much under the then ruler Tippu Sultan’s captivity. Location of parish Church at that time was at a distance of approximately 7 kilometers from one exists today. Original church was demolished by Tippu. Once local Christians were freed from captivity a new Church was built under the guidance of Goan priest in 1801. It was built from thatched roof nearby Nakre area.
As previous church had become too old and was not in the position to be used by devotees, the Goan priest took step to find new site to build a building. He would carry the one-foot wooden statue of St Lawrence as symbol of respect. As devotes were willing to build a church in respect of St Lawrence they did best efforts to select appropriate location for that. Search team moved ahead by crossing Rama-Samudra in Karkala and finally reached to 'Parpare hills' woods in Attur to select a site there. This team observed spring flow in hill’s bottom side. They were thirsty and tired too hence kept Saint’s statue nearby on the ground and continued with quenching the thirst first.
The team planned to resume journey after some time and tried to lift statue but failed in this attempt as it had turned immovable as if a tree. The priest therefore took decision to build church at that location itself for that started preparation by lifting statue which surprisingly detached from the ground easily. Church building was finally erected at that very spot in 1839. It was same place which turned into a pilgrimage place thereafter.
Parish priest, Rev Fr Frank further improved condition of this church in 1895 while he observed that number of St Lawrence devotees was increasing through flocking there. Large chunk of them also claimed that they had attained countless favors from saint that augured them to turn as devotees. They also initiated novenas besides special prayer services in the honor of St Lawrence. Existing church was built in 1900 for that Rev Fr Frank Pereira took leadership step for this north facing church building. Vicar General, Very Rev Mgr Frachetti blessed and inaugurated the new church on January 22, 1901.
The Shrine
Reliable sources indicate that the shrine of St. Lawrence at Attur in Karkala Parish had its presence before 1759 A.D itself. As historical notes explain local Christian communities had to suffer tough phase in the form of captivity from 1784-1799 A.D while Tippu Sultan ruled the region. The then Parish Church was located at a site that was approximately 7 kilometers far from one exists today. Captivated Christians were taken to Shrirangapatna after Tippu Sultan destroyed the church. New church was built in 1801 A.D once captivated Christians got freedom. Thatched roof of church nearby Toakre indicated foundation of new building for that a Goan priest continuously monitored and guided. A new building replaced old one in 1839 at the new site whose distance was nearly four Kilometers from earlier one. Facing west side the new building was erected on back side of existing old church. Previous location housed tiny flower garden.
It took no time for the place to turn into a pilgrimage place where large volume of pilgrims kept arriving from everywhere. They considered it sacred location so large volume of devotees arrived there and good number of them claimed to receive the Saint’s favors upon arrival. The parish priest, Rev. Fr. Frank Pereira finally made it more organized in 1895 upon seeing large number of St. Lawrence devotees in this location where church was built. North facing church was built in 1900 under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Frank. It was finally inaugurated and blessed through Vicar General, Very Rev. Mgr. Frachett on 22.1.1901 which is considered a historic step.
As successors of Rev. Fr. Frank Pereira continued promoting tradition and welcomed large volume of devotees coming from far off areas the popularity of this shrine increased over the period so Attur turned into famous site for pilgrimage. Amazing power of St. Lawrence of Attur to communicate with God is another miraculous thing which brought this shrine into limelight. Attur has been best patronized by St. Lawrence for many centuries. Powerful intercession has been observed by both locals and those from far off areas who might arrive or not but are under powerful impact of St. Lawrence in Attur. It added more charm and pilgrims kept flocking in large volumes for all twelve months.
Faith And Belief
Both pilgrims from around the country as well as locals from Udipi feel the power of interceding with God which this shrine is believed to have. This feature is the key attraction that enchants large number of devotees.
Completion of 200 years of existence in January 2001 marked big occasion to celebrate for parish St Lawrence Church and shrine. Bishop of Mangalore blessed the new church building on January 2001 which is also the Bicentenary memorial. Present Annual Festival famously denoted with 'Attur Jatre or Festival remains religious and cultural amalgamation where large number of people from all beliefs arrive at church compound. The Attur Church and Attur Jatre are liked by believers of all faiths. Jjatre of festival tradition continues annually on January’s last Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in which large chunk of devotees arrive.
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