| St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church | |
| Fullname: | St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church |
| Location: | Meenkunnam, Muvattupuzha |
| Country: | India |
| Denomination: | Syro-Malabar Catholic Church |
| Founded Date: | 1921 |
| Founder: | Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly[1] |
| Dedication: | Saint Joseph |
| Consecrated Date: | 1925 |
| Past Bishop: | Mar George Punnakkottil |
| People: | Saint Thomas Christians |
| Functional Status: | Active |
| Diocese: | Syro-Malabar Catholic Eparchy of Kothamangalam[2] |
| Synod: | Syro-Malabar |
| District: | Ernakulam |
| Archbishop: | Mar George Alancherry |
| Bishop: | Mar George Madathikandathil |
St. Joseph's Syro-Malabar Catholic Church is situated in Meenkunnam village, 6 km from Muvattupuzha, India. It was founded by Venerable Mar Varghese Payyappilly Palakkappilly in 1921.[3] The church belongs to the Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Kothamangalam.
Meenkunnam village has a large population of Syrian Catholics. These Nasrani Christians, who were previously under Marth Mariam Syro-Malabar Catholic Forane Church, Arakuzha, have more than 1500 years of recorded history.[4]
A main landmark of Meenkunnam is a copy of Michelangelo's Pietà , which was created by the artist Appukuttan. This sculpture at Meenkunnam is roughly 4 times the size of the original Pietà , located at the St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City. Owing to its size, the artist could make a compromise on intricate details and created a sculpture lacking realism, ideal beauty, harmony and balance observed in the original sculpture which showcases a balance of Renaissance ideals of classical beauty with naturalism.