Attur
Parish seems to have been in existence even before 1759 A.D. History tells us
that the Christians of this place too were among those in the captivity of
Tippu Sultan from 1784-1799.
The parish church in those days was about seven kilometers away
from the present site. Tippu Sultan destroyed it and took the Christians as
captives to Srirangapatna. At the end of captivity, the Christians that
returned put up, under the leadership of a Goan priest, a small church building
of thatched roof on the way to Nakre in 1801.
An interesting story is told about the starting of the present
church and the Shrine of St. Lawrence at Attur.
The church at Nakre was too old for use. So the parishioners,
with their Goan Parish priest went out to find a proper place for a new church.
They carried with them a statue of St. Lawrence, one foot in height. On the way they went on praying to St. Lawrence to help them to
select a suitable place to put up the church in his honour.
They crossed the Ramasa-mudra lake of Karkala, went up the
Parpale Hill and came down on the western side.
They found a spring flowing at the foot of the hill. As they
were thirsty and tired, they kept down the statue and quenched their thirst
with the pure spring water and rested. After sometime, they started to continue
their search.
But when they tried to lift the statue, it could not be lifted.
It was as if rooted in the ground. On seeing this, the priest exclaimed. "
O St. Lawrence, if you have selected this place, we will build the church in
this same place". After this promise, it is said that he could lift the
statue without any difficulty. So, on the same spot the present church was
built in the year 1839 A.D. Within a short time this church turned out to be a
pilgrimage centre. Pilgrims began to come from surrounding places.
Many favours were received by them through the intercession of
the Saint.
The miraculous statue of St. Lawrence became a statue of
devotion. The whole year round the pilgrims come to visit the Shrine.
People believe that St. Lawrence is indeed a powerful
intercessor.Not only the people of Attur and the pilgrims that visit the
Shrine, even those who without visiting the Shrine have prayed for the help
from the Saint, have felt the helping hand of St. Lawrence. The great number of pilgrims that visit the Shrine during the
Annual Feast and throughout the year is a testimony that the Saint does not
refuse those who approach him with trust and devotion.
Publisher : The Hindu
http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/tp-karnataka/history-of-st-lawrence-shrine/article4359705.ece
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