St Paul's Mar Thoma Church
St. Paul's Mar Thoma Church, Chathenkary (Malayalam: ചാത്തങ്കരി സെൻ്റ് പോൾസ് മാർത്തോമ്മാ പള്ളി) is a prominent parish church of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church. It is located in Chathenkary, a small village in the Pathanamthitta district of the Central Travancore region in Kerala, India.
| St. Paul's Mar Thoma Church, Chathenkary | |
|---|---|
| Chathenkary Mar Thoma pally | |
| Location | Chathenkary, Thiruvalla, Pathanamthitta District, Kerala |
| Country | India |
| Denomination | Mar Thoma Syrian Church |
| Tradition | Syrian |
| History | |
| Founded | 1902 |
| Dedication | St Thomas |
| Architecture | |
| Groundbreaking | 1932 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Niranam Maramon Diocese |
| Clergy | |
| Vicar | Rev Abraham Cherian |
History
The church was founded in 1902 and serves as a key parish within the Mar Thoma Syrian Church tradition, which traces its origins to the arrival of Saint Thomas the Apostle in Kerala in AD 52. The current building's groundbreaking occurred in 1932. The parish is recognized for its role in local community worship and activities, rooted in the broader history of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church, established as a reformed Oriental Protestant denomination in the 19th century following a reformation movement in 1836.
A significant figure in the church’s history is Kovoor Iype Thoma Kathanar (1842–1917), popularly known as Kovoor Achen, who was the first priest of St. Paul's Mar Thoma Church
Service Timings
- Sunday Holy Qurbana (Mass): 9:00 AM (Holy Communion service)
- Sunday School: 7:30 AM to 8:45 AM
Parish Activities
Mar Thoma Syrian Church, focusing on worship, evangelism, and social service.
Key parish organizations include:
- Yuvajana Sakhyam: The youth wing of the Mar Thoma Church, established in 1933, focusing on worship, study, witness, and service to empower young members (ages 13–35) in faith and community outreach.
- Sunday School: Provides biblical education and spiritual formation for children and youth, held weekly before the main service.
- Sevika Sangam: The women's fellowship (Suvisesha Sevika Sanghom), dedicated to spiritual growth, empowerment, and service-oriented activities for women in the parish.
- Edavaka Mission: A prayer and evangelism fellowship that unites families in faith, mission work, and community service initiatives.
These organizations actively contribute to the spiritual, social, and evangelistic life of the parish.
References
- Facebook: St. Paul's Mar Thoma Church, Chathenkary
- Wikipedia: Mar Thoma Syrian Church
- Wikipedia: Iype Thoma Kathanar