Faith meets fitness: The Keralam church where prayers come with pull-ups
St. Joseph’s Church in Kuriachira, Thrissur, has set up an open gym to promote fitness among parishioners. With no fixed timings, parishioners can drop in at their convenience, with many heading to the gym after attending Holy Mass
At St. Joseph’s Church in Kuriachira, Thrissur, Keralam, faith and fitness have joined forces. An open gym on the church premises is attracting parishioners of all ages to work out and stay fit. The unique initiative adds a healthy dimension to church life. The facility, set up in a corner of the church campus, has quickly become a hub for fitness enthusiasts.
With no fixed timings, parishioners can visit whenever they like, often after attending Holy Mass. The altar boys, around 60, are among its regular users, while parents bring their young children and senior citizens use the basic equipment to stay active. The idea came from the personal fitness routine of the church’s vicar, Fr.
Frederick Eluvathingal, 69. A former footballer and basketball player, he has maintained a workout regimen for the past 51 years. When he joined the church a year ago, he searched for a space to continue his workouts, leading to the creation of a community gym. The modest facility, installed around a well, has seen an encouraging response.
Regular users praise the gym for its comfortable, fresh-air environment. The church views the initiative as more than just a fitness center, aiming to promote a healthy generation and draw more young people into the community.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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