About Us

About Us

The Salem Mar Thoma Church is part of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, which is believed to have been established by St. Thomas (Toma in Greek), an Apostle of Jesus Christ, after his arrival in Muziris (Kodungalloor), the Kingdom of Kochi in AD 52. The Thoma Christians hold that the Apostle established seven and a half churches in the erstwhile Travancore and Kochi Kingdoms of Cheranadu, presently, the state of Kerala The Acts of Toma, written in the early 3rd century, is the earliest known history linking St. Thomas to India. Roman writers from the 3rd and 4th centuries also mentioned St. Thomas's journey to India. It is believed that St. Thomas was martyred in Mylapore, near Madras (now Chennai), Tamil Nadu in AD 72. The remains of his body were later taken to Edessa, a city in Mesopotamia, present Kurdish province of South Eastern Turkey and later to Italy.

History of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church

The Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar is an independent, reformed Eastern Episcopal Church. The reformation movement began in 1836 when a group of Christians sought to reform the Church's practices that were adulterated during the Portuguese rule of Kochi. The intention was to reform the St. Thomas Christians' worship and traditions in accordance with the Biblical principles. This movement was led by Abraham Malpan (1796–1845) and Kaithayil Geevarghese Malpan (1800–1855), both teachers of Syriac in the Syrian Christian Seminary, Kottayam associated with the CMS Missionaries of British India.

Features of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church:

The Mar Thoma Syrian Church is regarded as a continuation of the St. Thomas Christians, traditionally believed to have been established by St. Thomas in the 1st century. Key features of the Church after reformation include:

• It is rooted in the Bible and has an episcopal heritage.

• It follows a democratic form of administration.

• It is in full communion with the Anglican Communion.

• It maintains close relations with Christian churches worldwide and has a strong missionary zeal.

History of the Parish

The parish was established on April 23, 1901, by the order of His Grace Titus I Marthoma Metropolitan. It was consecrated in 1922 under the ministry of His Grace Titus II Marthoma Metropolitan and the co-ministry of His Lordship Abraham Marthoma Suffragan Metropolitan The parish has upheld the Christian faith for the past 124 years. On April 23, 2026, the parish will celebrate its 125th anniversary with a valedictory function. On the 23rd of April, 2025, the parish entered its Quasqui-Centennial Jubilee year, marking 125 years of its service and history.

Institutions of the Parish

1. Parish Mission

2. Sevika Sangham

3. Sunday School

4. Yuvajana Sakhyam

5. Senior Citizens Fellowship

6. Development Council

All these institutions function as approved establishments, serving in their spheres of activities as envisaged by the constitution of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church.

Important Milestones

The parish has achieved several notable milestones, including:

• Golden Jubilee

• Diamond Jubilee

• Centenary

Infrastructural developments, such as:

1. Construction of the office building

2. Sunday school building on the first floor of the office building, sponsored by Sevika Sangham

3. Extension of the church by 25 feet to the western side and a balcony

4. Major renovation of the church building in 2013-14, including elegant false ceiling, of thr Hikala, side room to the altar, teaklining of the Alter and Arch, concealed light and sound systems, and other aesthetics. The renovation was completed at a cost of Rs. 45 Lakhs. The foundation stone laying and    consecration was led by the Rt. Rev. Gee varghese Mar Athanasious Thirumrni in the presence of several clergy and members of the Church. 

Our Parish Today

Currently, 155 families in four prayer areas are communicant members of the parish. Rev. Santosh Thomas serves as the vicar, assisted by office bearers and Kaisthana Samithi, consisting of 20 members. 

Rev. Saju Zacharia, our  member, retired from the active service of the Marthoma Church and Rev. Philip Simon, member of the Parish, serving in Malaysia, provide  ecclesiastical ministry and  pivotal roles in our church activities.  

Having entered the Quasqui-Centennial Jubilee year, the parish has planned a year of jubilee program with a general convener and 8 program conveners. Details are appended in the supplementary pages.

Conclusion

The members of Salem Marthoma Church, Ayroor, founded on the cornerstone of Christ, hold each other as building blocks, supporting one another and  partaking the body and blood of Christ that was shed on the  ✝️ of calvery.  

We humbly pray to the Lord to continue to guide us and  strengthen us in truth and spirit. 

Amen.