It is believed that the church was founded by St. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, in AD 54.

Those are Kodungallur, Palayur, Kottakkavu, Kokkamangalam, Niranam, Chayal, Kollam and the half church at Thiruvithamkode.

Before the headquarters of Malankara Metropolitans was permanently relocated to the Orthodox Theological Seminary, Kottayam in 1815, the Niranam Church also served as the thronal cathedral and headquarters of Malankara Metropolitans during multiple periods between 1653 and 1815.

It is also the shrine of Mar Thoma II.Malankara Metropolitan of Malankara Orthodox Church The southern among the small altars is consecrated to Saint Stephen.

This is also the shrine of Mar Thoma V. The tall granite cross at the right side of the entrance is a relic of the past, probably from 1259, the time at which the third renovation of the church building took place.