Location

8 kms west of Kottayam Town.

Directions

Kottayam - Chengalam Buses from Kottayam Pvt. Bus stand.or autoricksaws apprx. Rs. 70-80/-.

Phone

+ 91 481 2516651 (Please call on Sundays between 10:30 am and 1:00 am)

Mailing Address

The Vicar,
St. Thomas Jacobite Syrian Church,
Chengalam P.O. Kottayam, Kerala-686022.

Worship Services

A Brief History

Till the beginning of the 19th century, the entire Syrian Christians of the region depended on Kottayam Cheria Pally, for their spiritual needs. But as time changed, the Syrian Christians of nearby places of Chengalam,Aymanam, Kummanam, Olessa, and Kummanam, preferred to have a church in their locality. Due to this they spotted a suitable location in Chengalam for a church in early sixties. on 15th of May'1861,(Malayalam Calender 31st Medam Year, 1056) they requested Mathews Mor Athanasious of Malankara for sanctioning a new church at a place donated by Etti Ulahannan of Pulickaparambil. This leaded the formation of a new church named as St. Thomas Jacobite Syrian Church.

On 3rd July 1861 (Malayalam Calender 3rd Karkidakam Year, 1056) as per the Order of Mathew Mor Athanasious, Late Kaithayil Kurain Malpan laid the stone break ceremony and celebrated the holy Qurbana. Initially the services started in a temporary shed and later converted into this present beautiful structure. This is the third church in western side of kottayam, which was separated from Kottayam Cheriapally.

Initially priests from Kottayam Cheriapally used to come and performed the Holy qurbana. Late Rev. Fr. Thomas Karakyatu, Late Rev. Fr. Daniel Eruthikkal, late Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Mekkadu, Late Rev. Fr. Markose are the important names among these. Late Rev. Fr. Jacob Opputtil (Erupathil House, Chengalam) was the first vicar of this church. After the his retirement, Late Rev. Fr. Punnoose Pulickaparabil became the vicar of this church in 1905. Rev. Punnose Achen took initiative to construct the present church office and the front extension of the Church. On completion of the structure, the altars of the church were consecrated(Full Consecration by Mooron) by late Michael Mor Divanyosious. Since then the Holy Qurbana is performed regularly on every sunday at 8.30 am. After the death of Punoose Kathanar, various preists from the near places helped to perform the Holy Qurbana. On august 1945, Rev. Fr. Joseph Pulickaparambil ordained to priesthood and he contiunes as resident Priest [Edavaka Vicar] till now. As a part of Kottayam diocese, the diocesion Metropolitan takes care of the appointment of Edakava vicar to this church.

Very Rev. Corespiscopa P.P. Joseph Pulickaparambil has played a very significant role in the development of this church. He is one of the leading priests of Jacobite Syrian church. He played many important roles in our church such as Priest Trustee, Chairman & convener of advisory committee for financial and administrative management for Mor Ignatius Dayara, founder member of St. Joseph's Cathetral, Shastri Road, Kottayam etc. Apart from the church activities he served as a Panchayat President of Thiruvarppu Panchayat, and role of a college professor and vice-principal of C.M.S College Kottayam. In appreciation to his services to church and society, on his Golden jubilee as a priest H.H. Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas granted him the title of " KOOROSO DASHRORO" the highest decoration to a priest of syrian orthodox church.

This church took initiatives to start some of the new tendencies in our Church. This includes Division of ladies and gentle men to two sides, permission to sit at the time of "Thubden"(Dipytch), Song at the time of "Kai shuthi", Seating facilities inside the church etc.

[Source: News paper clippings of Deepika News paper on 3rd February, 2001 and the golden Jubilee preisthood celebration Souvneir of Very Rev. Corespiscopa P.P. Joseph, Pulickaparambil. Here I express my sincere gratitude to Mr. C.I. Kuruvilla who helped me to get this information in this form.]