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Migration to United States |
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When the migration of Keralites to the United States of America began in early 1970s, New York City and its suburbs, and neighboring towns in New Jersey with its abundant opportunities and immigrant-friendly environment became the home for a large number of Marthomites. |
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Early Worship |
| 1972 |
Mar Thoma worship combined with some members of the Church of South India Cottage Prayers at residences with laity leadership |
| 1974 |
Rt. Rev Dr. Alexander Mar Theophilus, (Missionary Bishop, Later Metropolitan), conducted the first Holy Communion in Staten Island assisted by Rev. Oommen Koruthu (present Zacharias Thirumeni) and Rev (late) K.O. Mathew |
| 1975 |
May 18 - Formation of “The Mar Thoma Congregation of Greater New York” |
| 1976 |
The Most Rev. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan approved the Congregation under the jurisdiction of The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church in Kerala. |
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In the years that followed, the congregation was led by Rev. K.S. Mathew, Rev. Thomas P. George and Rev. M.V. Benjamin |
| 1980 |
Membership increased to 500 Families. Worship continued at Fort Washington Presbyterian Church, 21 Wadsworth Ave and 174 Street in New York City. |
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0n September 7, The Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan visited The Congregation assessed the spiritual needs of its members and decided to divide the congregation into four parishes : |
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1. Manhattan and Bronx, 2. Brooklyn and Queens, 3. New Jersey and 4. Staten Island. |
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Parish in Staten Island |
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1980 |
On October 19, Rev. M.V. Benjamin called for a meeting of the Marthomites in the Staten Island area to form a Parish. |
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1981 |
On March 1, the General body meeting passed following important resolutions: |
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1. The name of the church shall be "THE MAR THOMA CHURCH, STATEN ISLAND" |
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2. A Board of Trustees consisting 12 members shall be elected to incorporate the Church as a non-profit religious organization. |
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3. The Board of Trustees shall also serve as the Executive Committee under the constitution of the parent church, The Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar |
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The Parish began with a membership of 25 families. Services were conducted at All Saints Episcopal Church; 2320 Victory Blvd. Monthly newsletter with relevant information was circulated among its members |
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Formation of Church Organizations |
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1981 |
Sunday School |
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1982 |
Youth Fellowship |
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Sevika Sanghom |
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Choir |
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1983 |
Edavaka Mission |
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Our Vicars |
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| Rev. M. V. Benjamin |
Vicar |
1980 |
1981 |
| Rev. K. J. Philip Associate |
Vicar |
1980 |
1981 |
| Rev. N. M. Cherian |
Vicar |
1981 |
1984 |
| Rev. Jacob T Thomas |
Asst. Vicar |
1981 |
1984 |
| Rev. T. O. Joseph |
Vicar |
1984 |
1987 |
| Rev. John Mathew |
Vicar-in-charge |
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1987 |
| Rev. E. I. Cheeran |
Vicar |
1987 |
1989 |
| Rev. Thomas John |
Vicar-in-charge |
1989 |
1990 |
| Rev. Sajan Varughese |
Asst. Vicar |
1989 |
1990 |
| Rev. Varughese Thomas |
Vicar |
1990 |
1993 |
| Rev. Thomas George |
Vicar |
1993 |
1997 |
| Rev. John Thomas |
Vicar |
1997 |
1997 |
| Rev. Samuel M Samuel |
Vicar |
2001 |
2004 |
| Rev. Manoj M Zacharia |
Vicar |
2004 |
2007 |
| Rev. Sabu Thomas |
Vicar |
2007 |
present |
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Conferences |
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1982 |
An elected representative attended in the First Mar Thoma Zonal Council held in Philadelphia and students participated in the Students’ Conference. |
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1991 |
Hosted the 8th Mar Thoma Junior Conference (Eastern Region) at Wagner College, Staten Island. |
| 1994 |
Hosted the XII Mar Thoma Family Conference at the Radisson Hotel, Somerset, NJ. |
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First Property Ownership |
| 1989 |
Acquired a church building at 134 Faber Street, Port Richmond at a cost of $190,000.00 under the guidance of Rev. E. I. Cheeran. The building was renovated at a cost of $250.000.00. |
| 1990 |
Rt. Rev. Euyakim Mar Coorilos Episcopa, our erstwhile Vicar, dedicated our 'own' church. |
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The New Church Building Project |
| 2002 |
Rev. Samuel M. Samuel provided the leadership to acquire a property across the street at 135 Faber Street at a cost of $275,000. A church building committee was elected with Mr. Jacob Chacko as its convener.
On 22 September 2002 , the general body (Membership meeting) decided to demolish the existing church building at 134 Faber Street and to build a new church building with a seating capacity of 500 and a full basement at a cost of $1,472,000 |
| 2003 |
On 30 November 2003, the last service was held in the old church building at 134 Faber Street, and since then the service was held at the Staten Island Chinese Christian Church. |
| 2004 |
On 18 March , demolished the old building . |
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On 8 April, laid the foundation stone of the new building. |
| 2005 |
On 25 June 2005, Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos, the Diocesan Episcopa dedicated the new Church Building |
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Cost $2.3 Million: New building, furniture and the adjacent property |
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Vicars Rev. Samuel M. Samuel and Rev. Manoj M. Zacharia |
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Bishop Visits |
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Suffragan Metropolitans the Rt. Rev. Dr . Joseph Mar Irenaeus and the Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus visited the site during construction and gave us timely advice. Our Diocesan Bishop the Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos visited the site several times and gave valuable guidance. |
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Laity Leadership |
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Mr. Jacob Chacko as convener, Mr. James T. Philip (2002-2004) and Mr. Mathew Rajan (2005) as Trustees worked very hard for collecting funds and the successful completion of this project. Fighting the heat and cold Mr. Mathai P. Mathew did an admirable job as site supervisor |
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Our Gratitude |
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We are indebted to all the great souls who, during periods of historical conflicts, inspired and encouraged the parish to stand strong in faith and march on the path shown to us by our Lord Jesus Christ. The instructions from our dear Metropolitans and the Bishops of this Diocese were indeed a great contribution to the progress of our Parish. We also remember with gratitude and love every Achen who has served this parish as vicars since its inception. At this time, we also remember the sincere services of all lay leaders in the growth of this parish. On behalf of the parish, we express our respect, faith, and thanks to our Metropolitan Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom who gave his blessing for the dedication of the new Church building and to Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos Episcopa who conducted the dedication ceremony. I conclude with a prayer that may God bless our church to pass on the spiritual enlightenment to the future generations from what we are blessed with from our forefathers. |
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James T. Philip |
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(Written based on the available records and information) |
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