Faith meets fitness: Keralam church where prayers come with attraction

Parishioners exercise in the open gym on the premises of the church of St. Joseph in Kuriachira, Thrissur. | Photo credit: KKNajeeb

In the church of St. Joseph in Kuriachira, Thrissur, Keralam, faith and fitness go hand in hand. An open gymnasium on the church grounds beckons parishioners of all ages to stretch, sweat and stay fit. The unusual initiative adds a healthy new dimension to church life.

Set up in a corner of the church’s campus, the facility quickly became a meeting place for fitness enthusiasts. With no set time, parishioners can stop by as they please, with many heading to the gym after Mass. Among its regular users are ministers, who are around 60. Parents bring their young children, seniors use the basic equipment to stay active.

The roots of Vicar’s fitness routine

The initiative has its roots in the personal fitness routine of the church vicar Fr. Frederick Eluvathingal, 69. A football and basketball player during his college years, he never let age or a demanding schedule get in the way of exercise.

“For the last 51 years, since I was in the Pontifical Seminary in Pune, I have been practicing,” he says. His fitness routine continued during his higher studies in Rome and Jerusalem and his church assignments in Australia.

When he arrived in Kuriachira more than a year ago, he began looking for a suitable space where he could continue his regular exercise routine, including push-ups and pull-ups. The parallel bars were installed first and then the basketball hoop. The idea gradually grew into a community gym.

“I wanted to create a space where people could develop the habit of exercising. In general, we don’t have a strong exercise culture. If people can fit in some basic exercise when they come to church, they can gradually incorporate fitness into their lives,” he says.

The need is especially urgent at a time when civilizational diseases and obesity are on the rise. The initiative also seeks to attract more young people to church activities and channel their energy into constructive activities.

The parish welcomed the proposal and the area around the well in the church area was chosen for the facility. The limited space available in Kuriachira meant that the gym had to be modest, but the response was encouraging.

“Within a week of opening the gym, quite a few people have started coming here. If demand increases, we will have to consider expanding the facility,” says PR Wilson, one of the church’s trustees.

For regular user John Vazhappilly, a real estate agent who lives nearby, the gym came as a timely relief. “I’ve been coming here every night for the last week. My leg muscles have become weak after an accident and surgery. I want to strengthen them. It’s a comfortable place to exercise, fresh air and an open campus,” he says.

“A Form of Spiritual Service”

The church sees the initiative as more than just a fitness facility. “We want to raise a healthy generation. Many people suffer from the diseases of civilization, while young people often turn to private fitness centers. We felt that providing basic facilities would benefit the community. Spirituality is also about educating a healthy mind and body. We consider it a form of spiritual service,” says assistant vicar Fr. Jees Akkara.

For Fr. Absorbing, there is another purpose. “Young people these days rarely go to church or participate in its activities. It’s also an opportunity to bring them more into the church community,” he says.

Published – November 7, 2026 1:48 PM IST