On the banks of the Chalakudy River lies Sampaloor, also known as the ‘Goa of Kerala’, located in the Thrissur district. It is given the nickname because of a series of arrivals of clergymen: St. Francis Xavier, St. John Britto, Fr. Joseph Constantine Buski (Veeramamunivar), and Arnos Pathiri. Sampaloor became an important location for Jesuit priests during the Portuguese era, whose legacy can still be seen in various monuments in Sampaloor. Among these are St. Paul’s Seminary, St. Paul’s Monastery, St. Paul’s Press, and a church dedicated to St. Francis Xavier. The name Sampaloor itself refers to this, coming from the word “San- Paul- Ur”, reflecting its Jesuit history. 

The Clergymen
St. Francis Xavier was the first to come in the years 1542, 1544, 1548; via the Muziris harbour, a key gateway that connected India with the rest of the world, bringing not only missionaries, but traders and merchants. St. John Britto, an Italian missionary, arrived in the mid-17th century, and then adopted the name Swamy Arulananda. He is remembered for celebrating mass in St. Francis Xavier’s Church, which has become a protected historical monument.

Arnos Pathiri is another important figure in Sampaloor’s history. He was studied and ordained at St. Paul’s Seminary, and was a prominent literary personality, known most for his novel, ‘Puthen Pana’. Fr. Joseph Constantine Buski followed in his footsteps, who, while serving in the Madurai Mission, came to Sampaloor, and was finally laid to rest there.

Academic achievements
Sampaloor holds a significant place in the history of language development in South India. St. Paul's Press, established by Jesuit priests in 1663, was where the first Malayalam printing was carried out. 

Battles of Sampaloor
During the mid-18th century, Sampaloor was besieged with trouble. Tipu Sultan started mounting attacks against the British, which led to the destruction of numerous historically important institutions. Sampaloor church was razed to the ground, but was subsequently reconstructed during the time of Bernadian Bechinelly, the vicar apostolate of Varapuzha in 1862. The present church stands as a testament to the resilience of the local community, and was blessed in 1979.