CHURCH HISTORY

 

Kerala Christian community in Houston in the late seventies was very small but the need for a Syriac Orthodox Church became impetus in 1977.  St. Mary’s Prayer Group was organized in September 1977. The St. Mary’s Malankara Syriac Orthodox Church came in to existence with the first service in November 1977 by late Rev. Fr. Dr. John Jacob (His Grace Yuhanon  Mor  Philoxeno) and was incorporated in December 1978.   Mr. Joseph C. Joseph, now Very Rev. Fr. Joseph C. Joseph, received training under Rev. Fr. John Jacob in New York and he was ordained as a priest in 1978.  Joseph Achen was the vicar of the church till 1981; Rev.Fr. C.M. Punnoose of the Knanaya Jacobite Church served us as assistant vicar (1979). In 1981 Rev. Fr. Dr. Thomas Itty, later on ordained as Corepiscopa, was appointed as the Vicar and Achen served the church till 2004. Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Itty, the Parishioners built the present church building and later the parish hall at 4637 W. Orem, Houston, Texas; the church building corner stone was laid by then Diocesan Archbishop Late Lamented His Eminence Athanasius Yeshu Samuel on 10/06/1985.  The consecration ceremony was conducted by late His Eminence jointly with late Their Graces Yuhanon Mor Philoxenos and Late Lamented Thomas Mor Osthatheos on June 7, 1986.

 

H.E Titus Mor Eldho, Diocesan Archbishop appointed the following vicars over the years for the church: Rev. Fr. Mathai V. Puthukkunnathu (2004 -2006 and 2008), Rev. Fr. Shinoj Joseph (2006- 2007), Rev. Fr. Baiju Chandy (2007- 2008), Rev. Fr. Jacob Joseph (2008-2010), Rev. Fr. Saji Chambilil Kuriakose (2010-2013). Rev.Fr. Paul Varghese (2013), Rev Fr. Jossy Abraham (Asst. Vicar 2013) and Rev. Fr. Binu Joseph, the present Vicar since Sept 12th 2013.

 

Rev. Fr. Bijo Mathew and Rev. Fr.  Zach Varghese served the church as deacons while studying in Houston. Rev. Dn. Anish Thelappillil Skariya is currently serving the Parish which is also blessed to have its own Rev. Dn. T.S. Varghese and Rev. Dn. Martin Jacob Babu.

His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas (1981), Late Lamented His Beatitude Beselios Paulose II (1979), and His Beatitude Aboon Mor Beselios Thomas 1st (few times) visited and blessed the church. Over the years many Malankara Bishops, Syrian Bishops, corepiscopas, priests, deacons, dignitaries and laymen visited the Church.

 

St. Paul’s Fellowship, St. Mary’s Women’s League, St. Mary’s Youth League, St. Mary’s Sunday school, and Organization of True Antiochian Faith are actively functioning in the church.  Members of this parish are very actively involved and have served in different capacities in the Archdiocesan Council. We are grateful to all the bishops, priests, deacons and laymen for their devotion and service to this church and archdiocese.

 

The church has tremendous growth from 2004 onwards.  Currently, we are one of the largest parishes in the Archdiocese with more than 94 Families and still growing by the Grace of God.

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With generous donations from our members and supporters, our new church building is finally complete with a stunning Madhubaha and an elegant sanctuary with seating capacity of over 420.  It was consecrated on December 14-15 th 2018.

 

We look back with great appreciation and joy but most importantly, we offer sincere thanks to our Lord.  May, the love of The Triune God continue to guide us in the years to come to witness the Faith and Traditions of the Malankara Syriac  Orthodox Community in the Greater Houston Area.