BRIEF HISTORY
The congregation in 1992 with the founder Vicar Rev. Fr. Jose Pallathatta and Deacon Eldhose
In April 1989 Rev.Fr. Jose Pallathatta, (present H.G. Mor Gregorious Joseph, Metropolitan Cochin Diocese and the Holy Episcopal Synod Secretary) while doing higher studies in Theology in Dublin, visited London and met Mr.Chandy Thomas and again on another occasion Mr.Thankachan (present members of our church) and discussed possibilities of forming a congregation for Jacobite Syrian Orthodox community residing in U.K during that time.
In June 1989 Rev. Fr. Jose Pallathatta Conducted the first service in St.Mary Aldermary Church, Queen Victoria Street, London (Present church). Our sincere thanks to late Rev. Fr. K.A. George for making all necessary arrangements in conducting the first service in St.Mary Aldermary church. Subsequently Rev. Fr.Jose Pallathatta and Mr.Chandy Thomas met the rector of St.Mary Aldermary church and made arrangements to use the church on a regular basis. In July 1989 H.G.Abraham Mor Severios on his way to USA, visited London and conducted a service. Rev. Fr.Jose Pallathatta had came from Dublin and assisted H.G.Abraham Mor Severios.
The enthusiasm, and tireless effort of Rev. Fr.Jose Pallathatta was a catalyst in giving an impetus to forming the congregation.
The First General Body meeting of the Members of our church took place on 26th December 1989 at 3 Tennyson Road, Hounslow, residence of Mrs. And Mr.Chandy Thomas. The name of the church, unanimously decided in the First General Body meeting as St.Thomas Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, London.
The meeting elected:
President-vicar : Rev. Fr.Jose Pallathatta
Vice President : Mr. K.J.Elias
Treasurer : Mr. Mathew Jacob
Secretary : Mr. Chandy Thomas
Members Present:
Rev.Fr.Jose Pallathatta
Mrs. & Mr.Thankachan
Mrs. & Dr.George
Mr. V.P. Ipe
Mr. K.J.Elias
Mr. Mathew Jacob
Mrs & Mr. Chandy Thomas
Even though Mr.A.M. Chacko and Mrs Chacko was unable to attend the First General Body Meeting, we remember Chakochan for his help and assistance in the initial period to form the Church.
In 1979, H.B .Baselios Paulose II, the then Catholicos had conducted a service in London and expressed the wish that we should have our own congregation. His Beatitude received the news about the new congregation with great satisfaction.
Rev. Fr.Jose Pallathatta served this church for three years from 1989 to 1992. In October 1991 Deacon Eldhose came from India for studies in Oakhill College. In 1992 Rev.Fr.George Vadath who started studies in Dublin was appointed Vicar. On 16th January 1994 Rev. Fr.Jose Pallathatta was Ordained as Bishop H.G. Mor Gregorious Joseph. By the end of 1994, deacon Eldhose was ordained as Fr. Eldhose and served the church while studying in Ireland, together with Rev.Fr.Joseph Kulathramannil, conducting alternate services in our church. On 23rd March 2003 Rev.Fr. Eldhose was relieved of his duties as vicar by the then Bishop in charge of Europe and Rev. Fr.Job Thottathil was appointed as vicar and subsequently present vicar, Rev.Fr.Raju C Abraham,Cheruvillil was appointed as vicar Of this church.
In January 2005 this church became under the Direct Control and Supervision of His Holiness, Moran Mor Ignatius Zakka I Iwas, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East, Supreme head of the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church, under Holy Bull No.E34/05 and Confirmed Rev.Fr. Raju C Abraham, Cheruvillil as the Vicar.
The congregation has reason to thank H.G. Mor Gregorious Joseph for keeping our congregation in his prayers always as the Founder Vicar of St.Thomas Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, London and the members always will keep His Grace in their prayers. H.G. Mor Gregorious Joseph has conducted service on various occasions and looked after the church as the Bishop who was given charge of the church by the Patriarch, and after that His Grace always, keeps the special relationship even with the busy schedule in Malankara.
We were blessed with the Presence of H.B. Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I, the Catholicose and H.G. Mor Gregorious Joseph from 7th July 2007 to 25th July 2007. His Beatitude Mor Baselios Thomas I and H.G Mor Gregorious Joseph accepted our invitation and came from India for our ‘Perunnal’(St.Thomas Day) which was celebrated on 8th July 2007 with ‘Munninmel Qurbana’ led by H.B. Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I The Catholicose of the East accompanied by H.G.Mor Gregorious Joseph and H.G.Touma Mor Athanasius, Patriarchal Archbishop of U.K.
On 15th July 2007 H.G. Mor Gregorious Joseph conducted service in our church with the presence of H.B. Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I The Catholicose of India. We were uniquely blessed to have H.B. Aboon Mor Baselios Thomas I conducted service in our church on 22nd July 2007 and celebrate His Beatitude’s Birthday and thus have His Beatitude and His Grace for three consecutive Sunday services. His Beatitude expressed satisfaction in the congregation started 18 years ago by H.G.Mor Gregorious Joseph as the founder vicar, and having grown to the present level. The congregation formed with six families in 1989 has Sixty families in 2007, and still growing by the grace of God. This is the first Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church established in the U.K. and the only Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in U.K. having regular service on Sundays, every week.