{
  "id": 18670910,
  "title": "Faith meets fitness: The Keralam church where prayers come with pull-ups",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/07/faith-meets-fitness-the-keralam-church-where-prayers-come-with-pull",
  "topic": "science",
  "section": "Science",
  "published": "2026-11-07T08:23:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Hindu - Sci-Tech",
    "slug": "the-hindu-sci-tech",
    "url": "https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/kerala/faith-meets-fitness-the-keralam-church-where-prayers-come-with-pull-ups/article71677600.ece"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Kuriachira, Thrissur, Keralam, St. Joseph’s Church has introduced an open gym on its premises, blending faith and fitness. The facility, set up in a corner of the church campus, has become a popular meeting point for parishioners of all ages. With no fixed timings, people can visit at their convenience, often after attending Holy Mass. The altar boys, numbering around 60, are among its regular users, while parents bring their young children and senior citizens use the basic equipment for staying active.\n\nThe initiative originated from the personal fitness routine of the church’s vicar, Fr. Frederick Eluvathingal, who has been working out for 51 years. He installed parallel bars and a basketball hoop initially, which gradually evolved into a community gym. The need for such a facility is crucial, given the rising lifestyle diseases and obesity. The parish supported the proposal, and the modest gym has already attracted a significant response.\n\nRegular user John Vazhappilly, a real estate broker, uses the gym after recovering from an accident and surgery. For Fr. Frederick Eluvathingal, the gym serves a dual purpose of promoting a healthy generation and attracting more young people into the church community.",
  "summary": "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",
  "key_points": [
    "St. Joseph’s Church in Kuriachira, Thrissur, Keralam introduces open gym",
    "Vicar Fr. Frederick Eluvathingal initiates fitness program for 51 years",
    "Gym attracts parishioners of all ages, promotes health and community"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}