Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church has an important role in the life of the people.

This region comprising Kothamangalam, Vazhakulam, Arakuzha, Mylakompu, Nagapuzha, Muthalakodam of erstwhile Travancore kingdom has some very old Syrian churches.

Venerable Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly had served as the parish priest of Marth Mariam Church in Arakuzha (1920–22).

[2] He also purchased 12 acres (49,000 m2) of land in M.C.Road for constructing St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church, Meenkunnam.

[3] Several families migrated to different parts of Kerala, mainly to Malabar and high range areas, in search of agriculture land.