Church History

The history of the Syrian Christians in Bangalore began with the migration of Keralites during the early phase of the 20th century, for livelihood and with economic and educational motives in mind. The numerical growth of the Syrian Christian community — a worshipping community by nature — necessitated a place of worship. As a result, Syrian Christian worship started in Bangalore by 1936.

During this period, internal problems of the church in Malankara affected regular worship in Bangalore. But the unity of the two factions of the Malankara church in 1958 paved the way for the growth of church activity in the city.

The situation changed in 1975. The faithful who declared allegiance to the throne of Antioch — the Universal Syrian Orthodox Church under the Holy See of Antioch — came together prayerfully under one roof and formed St Mary's Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church at Queens Road in Bangalore. Worship began at the Bangalore Lutheran Church, where around 200 members used to attend. Rev. Fr. P.V. Paolose, who hails from Kolancherry, Ernakulam, celebrated the first Holy Mass. Rev. Fr. George Jacob and Rev. Fr. K.M. Paulose also served the parish as vicars until 1976.

A new phase embarked with the appointment of Rev. Fr. M.K. Thomas — presently H.G. Thomas Mor Themotheos, Metropolitan — in June 1976. The open outlook and deep commitment to Christian ministry of the young vicar carried the hearts of the faithful into a new spiritual and secular concept of life, and the overall growth of the parish took shape by this time. Sunday worship moved from the Lutheran Church to the United Theological College, Bangalore.

To give this community a legal entity, a trust named the St Mary's Jacobite Society was formed in 1978. Under the banner of the JSO Society, and with the help of many people in and around Bangalore, the community secured a leased land from the Bangalore City Corporation — the ground on which the Cathedral stands today.