The church has many popular beliefs woven around it. Six centuries back Kerala was divided into numerous provinces ruled by kings and landlords. Two of such neighbouring landlords were Koratty Kaimal and Kodassery Kartha. The descendents of these two feudal lords live in Koratty even now, and this adds on to the authenticity of this belief about the origin of the Koratty Church

The stone laid by St.Thomas ultimately led to the founding of the Holy Cross Church at Cherpunkal. In the course of his Gospel preaching he landed at the Moonnupeedikayil ferry and interacted with the people there. As a result of this contact members of five families received the Christian Faith and were baptized. A cross was believed to have been set up at a place chosen by the apostle for these people to assemble and pray. The place where the cross stood, with the passage of time, came to be called Cherpunkal. It is believed that this cross had been instrumental in working numerous miracles. In response to several requests sent abroad a crucifix embossed on a single piece of wood arrived.

The CSI[1] Immanuel church, Ernakulam, under the diocese of North Kerala of the Church of south India, was dedicated more than 103 years ago.