The church is dedicated to Our Lady of Refuge, also known as Adaikkala Madha in the Tamil language.
[1][2] The church was built in the 18th century by French Missionary Constanzo Beschi, popularly known as Veeramamunivar in Tamil.
[3] King of Ariyalur Arengappa Malavarayar affected with an incurable cancerous mole (Raja Pilavai) approached veeramamunivar to heal him.
Munivar knowing fully well his inability to do so, sought the refuge of Mother Mary.
In order to thank for the favors received the king donated 175 Acres of land on which stands the present shrine.