Parish History

Kerala Christian community in Houston in the late seventies was very small but the need for a Syrian Orthodox Church became impetus in 1977. St. Mary’s Prayer Group was organized in September 1977. The St. Mary’s Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church came in to existence with the first service in November 1977 by Rev. Fr. Dr. John Jacob, now His Grace Yuhanon Mor Philoxenos, and was incorporated in December 1978. Mr. Joseph C. Joseph, now Very Rev. Fr. Joseph C. Joseph, received training under Rev. Fr. John Jacob in New York and he was ordained in 1978; he was the vicar of the church till 1981. Rev.Fr. C.M. Punnoose of the Knanaya Jacobite Church served us as assistant vicar (1979). In 1981 Rev. Fr. Dr. Thomas Itty, later on ordained as Corepiscopa, was appointed as the Vicar and he served the church till 2004. Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Itty, the Parishioners built the present church building and later the parish hall at 4637 W. Orem, Houston, Texas; the church building corner stone was laid by Diocesan Archbishop Late Lamented His Eminence Athanasius Yeshu Samuel on 10/06/1985. The consecration ceremony was conducted by His Eminence jointly with Their Graces Yuhanon Mor Philoxenos and Late Lamented Thomas Mor Osthatheos on June 7, 1986. H.E Titus Mor Eldho, Diocesan Archbishop appointed the following vicars over the years for the church: Rev. Fr. Mathai V. Puthukkunnathu (2004 -2006 and 2008), Rev. Fr. Shinoj Joseph (2006- 2007), Rev. Fr. Baiju Chandy (2007- 2008) and Rev. Fr. Jacob Joseph, the current Vicar since July 2008. Under the leadership of Rev. Fr. Jacob Joseph, the Parish is in the process of expanding the church building and other facilities.

Rev. Fr. Bijo Mathew served the church as deacon, while studying in Houston and so did Rev. Dn. Zach Varghese. The Parish is also blessed to have Rev. Dn. T.S. Varghese and Rev. Dn. Martin Babu, both still serving the church.

His Holiness Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas (1981), Late Lamented His Beatitude Beselios Paulose II (1979), and His Beatitude Aboon Mor Beselios Thomas 1st (few times) visited and blessed the church. Over the years many Malankara Bishops, Syrian Bishops, corepiscopas, priests, deacons and laymen visited the Church.

St. Paul’s Fellowship, St. Mary’s Women’s League, St. Mary’s Sunday School, St. Mary’s Youth League and Organization of True Antiochian Faith are actively functioning in the church. Members of this parish are very actively involved and have served in different capacities in the Archdiocesan council. We are grateful to all the bishops, priests, deacons and laymen for their devotion and service to this church and archdiocese.

The church has tremendous growth from 2004 onwards. We look back with great appreciation and joy but most importantly, we offer sincere thanks to our Lord. May, the love of The Triune God continue to guide us in the years to come to witness the Faith and Traditions of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Community in the greater Houston area.