In the early 1960s, when INCOSPAR (the Indian National Committee for Space Research) was formed, scientists sought a site near Earth’s magnetic equator for atmospheric studies. They chose Thumba - a small fishing village in Kerala - and found the perfect location: St. Mary Magdalene Church.

Led by Vikram Sarabhai, scientists approached the bishop, who sought consent during a Sunday mass - drawing a heartfelt “Amen” from the congregation. Thus began the transformation: the church became the main office and lab; the bishop’s house, the design and drawing center; and even cattle sheds served as workshops .

On November 21, 1963, a sounding rocket—Nike-Apache—assembled inside the church was launched from the beach, marking the birth of India’s space program. The site evolved into the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station (TERLS), later becoming the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC), the cornerstone of ISRO’s launch vehicle endeavors.