Parish History​

In pursuit of various vocations, Marthomites migrated to different places far and wide. The small groups which gathered for prayer and fellowship in various cities and towns paved the way to form the nucleus of Marthoma Congregations. As in other cities the Marthomites in and around Alwaye gathered together for fellowships and also worshiped along with the Anglican congregation.

The Marthomite teachers and students of the Union Christian College joined hands with the Alwaye team and together they conceived the idea of forming a new congregation, The Marthomites in Alwaye who longed to have a place of worship of their own received a donation of Rs.1000/-from the 1 missionary Dr. Eddy. This amount helped the team to purchase the present plot in 1921 from the conservator Shri. M.P. Jacob. The unrelented efforts put by the Marthomite teachers and students enabled to raise a fund and the foundation stone to be laid in 1937. Though the fund was not sufficient for further stepping up the construction. activities this certainly was a mile stone in the history of the Alwaye Marthoma Church. In September 1945, Rt. Rev. Mathews Mar Athanasius chaired a meeting and oversaw the formation of a prayer group. The group nominated Late Shri. C.P Mathew as president, Late Shri. P. A. Mathew as treasurer and Late Shri K.K.Mathew as secretary, In 1945 the Anglican Church allowed the Marthomite group to worship in their church on all third Sundays of the month. Thanks to the Anglican Church for their understanding and kindness shown to Marthoma Sabha.

As a part of strong vision and mission, reinforced by the dedication and commitment of the team the construction work of the chapel was started in 1945. With untiring efforts, co-operation and abiding faith in God the work was completed in November 1946 under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Ninan Kallumpuram. But then it was a time where Christians were groaning under the tyranny unleashed by the Divan of Travancore, Sir

C.P.Ramaswamy lyer, permission never came by for the official consecration of the chapel and the exterior of the building was not allowed to depict a cross. Therefore the chapel was named as Bishop’s House and the Most Rev Dr. Juhanon Marthoma Metropolitan celebrated the first Holy Qurbana on 2 November 1947.

The services of Reverends Dr. Ninan. Kallumpuram, PC Cheriyan, A.C.Mathew, K.C. Paylee, V.M.Mathen, A.A.Paylee, K.A. Ninan and K V. Varkey were made available for celebrating Holy Qurbana once in a month. On other Sundays ordinary service was conducted.

The need of a full time Vicar was keenly felt and Rev. M.J.John was appointed as the first vicar of the church in the year 1950. His dedicated services for the church has to be marked and specially remembered. Achen’s activities enhanced the spiritual growth of the parish and more members were added to the parish rolls. The first Sunday School with thirty students and three teachers was incepted during his tenure. Having secured a place for divine worship, the attention of parish was turned towards acquiring a burial ground. During Achen’s tenure, a site for burial ground was purchased at Erumathala with a donation of Rs.300/- collected by the U.C College prayer group The foundation of the spiritual awareness and togetherness in fellowship lit by Achen still continues to glow.

The church continued to grow under the leadership of Reverends P.C. Joseph, C.G.Thomas, A.P.Jacob and T.J.Abraham. With the rapid growth of Alwaye the influx of Marthomites in and around Alwaye increased rapidly. Members of Alwaye Parish residing in Eloor, Udyogamandal, U.C.College and Kalamasserry formed separate congregations in their own locality

In spite of fragmentation of the congregation to separate parishes, the chapel premises was not adequate enough to accommodate the growing parish. In April 1961 a meeting of the parish was t convened under the chairmanship of the Rt. Rev. Philippose Mar Chrysostom and it was decided to construct a church building at a cost of Rs. 40,000/- in 1961 the foundation stone was laid by the Most Rev Dr. Juhanon Marthoma Metropolitan, assisted by Rt. Rev Dr. Mathews Mar Athanasius. However the construction came to a standstill due to scarcity of funds. In October 1966 a meeting under the chairmanship of Rt. Rev Mathews Mar Athanasius, it was decided that each member should contribute one month’s salary to enhance the funds. A souvenir too was published and an amount of Rs.7000/- was also collected. The dedicated and untiring efforts of the parish members under the leadership of Vicar Rev. P. C. Thomas resulted in the completion of the church building. The church building was consecrated on 12 December 1968 by the Diocesan Episcopa Rt. Rev Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius in the august presence of Most Rev. Dr. Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan.

The growth of the Parish since 1967 has been phenomenal under the leadership of Reverends George Mathew, T.A. John, K.C George, D. Alexander, Zachariah Varghese. The land purchased at Erumathala could not be used as the burial ground due to want of the Government sanction and therefore the land was sold off. During the tenure of Rev George Mathew a new plot of land was purchased near Choondi in 1973 for burial ground. Later a chapel was also built in the same premises in 1975. The parishioners in Angamaly area built a church and formed a parish in 1978. Our old church building materials were given for their church construction.

The various auxiliaries of the Parish were brimming with activities in mid 1970’s to 1980’s. Our choir was formed in 1973. Sunday School catered to the spiritual education of the children. The fellowship of the youths was remarkable. The rehabilitation of the beggar’s colony from Mangalapuzha to Chunangamvely was initiated.

the youths visited the area, conducted medical camps, the under privileged children were admitted to nearby schools, books and uniforms were supplied. An offertory was introduced during school reopening (June) and the amount collected was allotted for the educational help of needy children. The vibrant group of the time has to be specially mentioned which took care of each other and bore one another’s burdens. Their multifaceted talents fetched them many prizes in Kalamelas and other competitions.

The Choir grew steadily and constantly supported the church services. They have gone for AIR recording, Telecast programs, went for various competitions and bagged numerous prizes.

The Edavaka Mission is the spiritual backbone of the Parish. A place for worship was constructed at Vadattupara, a forest area near Kothamangalam. Later the financial support for the monthly salary of an Evangelist was arranged. Rev. KC George, who has a high drive for social work, has taken good initiatives in this sphere.

Our Sevilasangom, the women’s auxiliary is to be specially mentioned. They meet every week for Bible study, intercessions and fellowship. They visit senior parishioners, nearby old age homes and hospitals and gave care and supports. The team financially supports children in Perumbavoor Balikamandiram and Girideeptieach year.

The offerings collected during marriage anniversary blessings were set apart as the marriage fund from which the funds were allotted to the needy.

A need for a medium sized hall was felt during the period of Rev D Alexander. A 270 sq. mtr. hall which could accommodate 500 people was, planned. The foundation stone was laid by Rt. Rev. Easow Mar Thimotheos on 14th September 1978 and the hall was consecrated by the Diocesan Bishop Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan on 11th December 1983, As the Hall was built the old Parsonage below the hall got strangled due to inadequate ventilation and was difficult for a family to live in. The general Body decided to build a new Parsonage above the Parish Hall. The construction was done during the period of Rev. P. Mathew. The new parsonage was consecrated by Rt. Rev. Gheevarghese Mari Athanasius and by Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus Episcopa on 2 September 1990

The Guest room was a dream of Rt. Rev. Gheevarghese Mar Athanasius, who wanted to rope in the scenic beauty of the river behind the church as a view from the guest room. This was built in 1995 during the tenure of Rev. Mathews Chandy. Rev Mathews Chandy also initiated the functioning of Tabitha Tailoring Institute for the upliftment of the community women folk, as a Diocesan Development project. Late Shri Thomas Philip donated the required sewing machines for the project. The venture was consecrated by Rt. Rev Gheevarghese Mar Athanasius. The first VBS at Alwaye Marthoma Church was started in 1995.

With the rapid growth of the parish members, the existing church building was found inadequate and the need for a bigger church was genuinely felt Rev. Mathew Varghese took initiative and mobilized. the construction activity The church building was expanded and renovated with a balcony and now around 500 people could be accommodated. The present church foundation stone was laid by Rt. Rev. Gheevarghese Mar Athanasius on 14th January. 1998 and was consecrated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Philippose Mar Chrysostam on 20th March 1999 in the presence of the Diocesan Episcopa Rt. Rev Gheevarghese Mar Athanasius. The loans incurred for this activity was cleared during the tenure of Rev. Jaseph Ayroakuzhy.

The growth of the parish in terms of spirituality and fellowship was exemplary in the period of the vicars Reverends Jaims Thomas, George Abraham, Johnson Varghese, and Susieal Varghese. In 2005 the Vazhakulam group of parishioners built a Chapel at Vazhakulam, later it became an individual

A need for a medium sized hall was feit during the period of Rev D Alexander. A 270 sq, mtr. hall which could accommodate 500 people was planned. The foundation stone was laid by Rt. Rev. Easow Mar Thimotheos on 14th September 1978 and the hall was consecrated by the Diocesan Bishop Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan on 11th December 1983.

parish which was consecrated as Ebenezer MTC on 1st October 2008, Vazhakulam by Rt. Rev. Isac Mar Philoxinos during the period of Rev. George. Abraham. During the tenure of Rev. Johnson Varghese the cemetery was renovated by constructing a cemetery hall with roof enclosure, cellars and vaults and consecrated by Rt. Rev. Mathews Mar Makarios on 31st March 2013.

We are proud of the fact that Alwaye Marthoma Church has contributed two priests to the Marthoma Sabha, Rev. M.J. Thomaskutty of Choormikkara prayer group, Kunnathery Mulam kattil House and Rev. David Varghese Titus of Asokapuram prayer group Vazhakulam, Perekathu House. We thank the Almighty for this divine calling and their services to the Sabha,

Rev Shaji Thomas is the current vicar who shepherds the church. Last year we celebrated our Sapthathi, various projects were initiated and completed under the leadership of Rev. Shaji Thomas May the God Almighty bless him and the Holy Spirit guide him to develop the parish spiritually and achieve more milestones

When we look back upon the past 70 years, we realize how much the God Almighty has handheld our ancestors and blessed this church to grow so magnificently from very humble beginnings. He has been so faithful in all ways and we bow our heads in all humility for all the abundance showered on us.

Let us sing along with the Psalmist:

“Praise the Lord, my soul! All my being, Praise His Holy name”-Psalm 103:1

Now let us under the leadership our present vicar Rev. Shaji Thomas, hand hold together for fulfilling His mission in the world.

Note: The above extract is a compilation from the existing churth records and also as narrated by senior members of Aluva Marthoma Parish Special thanks to Mr Thomas one of our senior most members who has imparted valuable information from the archives of his memory

Feby John Abraham