Parish History
Our Parish StoryNinety-Five Years of Faith
From a spiritual wave that reached a small town, to a parish family that has stood as a witness of unity, service, and love.
On September 20, 1930, under the leadership of Mar Ivanios — the pioneer of the reunion movement with the Catholic Church — a spiritual wave reached Perumbavoor. Embracing that decision wholeheartedly, Fr. Thomas Thekkeparambil, then vicar of the Jacobite church in Perumbavoor, received the faith.
Mar Ivanios later expressed the desire to establish a Malankara Catholic church in Perumbavoor and sought the guidance and permission of Assistant Bishop Mar Athanasios, which was granted. Out of that divine inspiration — and for the growth of the diocese — the present land on M.C. Road was acquired, and a nunnery in Germany extended financial aid towards the building. Thus a new church rose in Perumbavoor.
“A parish that began with five families has become a community whose witness reaches far beyond its own walls.”
Perumbavoor · St. Thomas Malankara Catholic ChurchA Journey Through the Years
The moments — joyful and sorrowful — that shaped our parish family. Cards marked with a photo frame are ready for your archive pictures.
The Reunion Wave Reaches Perumbavoor
Under the leadership of Mar Ivanios, the reunion movement arrived in the town. Fr. Thomas Thekkeparambil, vicar of the Jacobite church, embraced the decision and received the faith — the seed from which this parish grew.
Land on M.C. Road & a Gift from Germany
With the permission of Assistant Bishop Mar Athanasios, land was purchased on M.C. Road where the church stands today. A nunnery in Germany extended financial aid for the construction. The parish began its life with just five families.
A Church in the Name of St. Mary
Construction began on a church dedicated to St. Mary — the house of worship that would serve the growing parish community for the next four decades.
Fr. Geevarghese Thomas Enters Eternal Rest
The parish mourned the priest whose effort secured its land, its building, and its early growth. His work remains the foundation on which everything that followed was built.
A New Vicar, and a Pillar Laid to Rest
As Fr. Paul Mundackal assumed charge as vicar, the parish lost Anthony Scaria — a lifelong pillar of the community. With him closed the final chapter of the S.M.Y.M. youth movement in its earlier form.
A Season of Renewal
Fr. Jose Cherian OIC took charge as vicar. In November, under the leadership of the then Muvattupuzha Bishop, the renovation of the church was taken up as the main agenda and unanimously approved. What followed was one of the most eventful and commendable periods in the parish’s life.
Ministries Reborn
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul and the Legion of Mary were revived. The “Family Gathering” was initiated, Sunday School was started, and parish pastoral council elections were successfully conducted — bringing the whole community into the life of the parish.
Foundation Stone for a New Church
The foundation stone was laid in the name of St. Thomas, and it was decided that the new church would rise in the courtyard of the old one — the past holding the future in its arms.
Homes for Those in Need
Amid the demanding work of building the church, Fr. Jose Cherian OIC found time to help the needy. With the assistance of the “Slaves of the Sacred Heart” society under the diocese, houses were built and given to families of the parish who had none.
St. Thomas Malankara Catholic Church
The foundation stone was blessed by Thomas Mar Koorilos, Bishop of the erstwhile Bathery Diocese, in the holy presence of Geevarghese Mar Koorilos, Geevarghese Mar Divannasios and others. With this, the parish took the name it carries today.
A Hall for the Parish Family
When Fr. Paul Karamel Koraikal took charge as vicar, he took the initiative — at the request of the parishioners — to construct a parish hall where the community could gather.
The Parish Hall Inaugurated
Mar Antony Kariyil blessed and inaugurated the parish hall — a space that has since held celebrations, catechism, meetings, and the ordinary joys of parish life.
Keys Given in Friendship
For the feast of Mar Chrysostom, the parish faced difficulty for want of a church building. The nearby Baselios church was opened and its keys handed over — a quiet act through which Christians gave society a message of living together in harmony.
The Parish Moves Forward
Under the leadership of our vicar Fr. Robin Puthenpurackal, and with the wholehearted cooperation of the parish family and the grace of the Almighty, all the activities of the parish continue very actively.
When a Door Opened,
and Two Communities
Became One Congregation
In February 2020, with no church of our own available for the feast of Mar Chrysostom, the neighbouring Baselios church was opened to us and its keys placed in our hands.
It was a small gesture. It was also a sermon — one preached without words, telling the whole of society what it looks like when Christians choose to live together in harmony.
A Commendable ServiceMinistries Born Here
Organisations that have carried the work of the parish across generations.
Society of St. Vincent de Paul
Revived in the renewal of 2003, serving the poor and the needy of the parish and the wider town.
Legion of Mary
A devotional and apostolic community, restored to active life alongside the parish’s wider renewal.
Family Gathering
Begun in the same period, bringing parish households together in prayer and fellowship.
Sunday School
Started to hand on the faith to the children of the parish — its catechism continues today.
S.M.Y.M. Youth
The parish youth movement, long led by parishioner Anthony Scaria, whose service is remembered with gratitude.
Slaves of the Sacred Heart
Through this diocesan society, homes were built and given to families of the parish who had none.
Those Who Have Led Us
In maintaining the unity and oneness of the parish, the vicars who served in each season provided commendable leadership.
Fr. Geevarghese Thombra
Vicar of the Jacobite church in Perumbavoor who embraced the reunion and received the faith, opening the way for this parish.
Fr. Daniel Kadakampally OIC
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Chacko Kuttaplackal
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Mathews Cheruppuram
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Lorens Cheppadu OIC
Contribution to be filled.
Fr. Abraham Puthenmadathil
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Thomas Cherumbral
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Jose Cherupuzhathottam
Contribution to be filled
Fr. George Kayyanickal
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Abraham Vettuparambil
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Lorens Cheppadu OIC
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Mathew Nirakandathil
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Zechariahs OIC
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Agustin OIC
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Jose Mariadas OIC
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Charles OIC
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Varghese Kunnumpurathu
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Joshua Kuttiyil OIC
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Michle Vadakkevettil
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Issac Kocheril
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Varghese Kunnumpurathu
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Thomas Attumalil (Asst. Vicar)
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Saji Arackal (Asst. Vicar)
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Paul Karamel Koyickal
Contribution to be filled
Fr. George Maramkandathil
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Thomas Pullukalayil
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Johnson Varghese Ishwarankudiyil
Contribution to be filled
Fr. Robin Puthenpureckal
Contribution to be filled
Photographs Through the Years
Old photographs of the church, its foundation stones, its priests, and its people. Click any picture to view it larger.
A Small Parish, A Wide Witness
For the growth of the universal Catholic Church, Perumbavoor St. Thomas Malankara Catholic Church has been able to play a significant role in the missionary work of Kerala. The service of the sisters who have laboured here is especially worthy of remembrance.
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