Churches have been an integral part of the South Indian cultural, religious and social fabric for many centuries now. The arrival of Christian missionaries to the region and spread of Christianity resulted in the construction of a number of splendid churches across Tamil Nadu. Many of these churches are visited by millions of pilgrims and tourists every year. One such popular place of worship is the St. Xavier’s Cathedral at Kottar in the Kanniyakumari District.

A Roman Catholic Latin Rite shrine, the church is believed to have been built around 1600. History says that Francis Xavier was here doing missionary work when an army of the Vadugas invaded the region. With the help of Paravars and Padaiyatchies of Kottar, he helped avert the danger of the enemy, which was appreciated by the then ruler of Venad Unni Kerala Varma. The king allotted some land in Kottar to build a church, where a church dedicated to Mary the Mother of God existed. Thus this church was built. The shrine of Mary was enlarged and renovated in 1865. The church received the status of Cathedral in 1930.

The St. Xavier’s Cathedral in Kottar is considered to be one of the oldest churches in the erstwhile Southern Travancore region and the oldest cathedral church of Roman Catholic Diocese of Kottar in the Kanniyakumari district. The most important festival time of the year in this church is the Feast of St. Francis Xavier that is celebrated from November 24 to December 3 every year.