The owners of the oil mills at Irinjalakuda approached Rev. Fr. Joseph Thottungal, vicar of St. Mary’s Church (present perpetual adoration centre), to inform their willingness to utilize the charity fund of the oil mills for the benefit of the needy of the society. He discussed the matter with Rev. Fr. George Chiramel, vicar of St. George church (present St. Thomas Cathedral). They convened an informal meeting of these persons and decided to start a destitute home for the aged men.
Knowing this welfare scheme Chevalier Inchody Eyyappan, one of the important business men of the town, offered one of his properties in the city, 50 cent and a small house, for this noble purpose at a minimal rent. They approached Rev. Fr. Zacharias Vazhappilly, the founder of the religious Congregation of Malabar Missionary Brothers, to run this institute. He gladly accepted their invitation and agreed to send brothers for the same. Mar George Alappatt, bishop of Thrissur diocese, blessed the House of Providence on April 02, 1949. Rev. Fr. Zacharias, the devotee of Blessed Sacrament, decorated a small room, and started Holy Mass there. One day Chevalier Eyyappan casually came to visit the institute. Bro. Berard invited him inside and told him that Holy Eucharist has been publicly exhibited in the chapel for adoration. He was surprised by seeing the sanctuary lamp knelt down and adored the Holy Eucharist for a long time. Then he met Fr. Zacharias and told him that I am not worthy to be the owner of the chapel where Holy Eucharist is abided. Later he donated the entire property to Brothers.
This institute was run with the kind mercy of the men of good will of the local people and businessmen of the city. Initially the members of St. Vincent De Paul Society were visiting house by house and shops of the town to collect the rice and money for the day to day expenses of the institute. Later the brothers took this responsibility and continued the same method to run the institute. In these 70 years the institute was able to give shelter to more than 3000 persons to spend their last days peacefully.
Presently this institute is owned by St. Thomas Province of MMB. Rev. Fr. Roby Valappila is the chaplain and Rev. Bro. Gilbert Edassery MMB is the Manager and Bro. Clement Thomas Najragattu MMB is the Asst. Manager. Now 55 destitute aged men are living here. The mortal remains of Msgr. Zacharias Vazhappilly are put in the Chapel of the institute for eternal rest.