Our History

History reveals that Pennukkara St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church epitomises the long cherished vision, efficiency, devotion of our forefathers of Pennukkara, Kodukulanji and Angadikal.

In the latter part of the 19th century, Christians in and arround Pennukkara were the members of the Old Syrian Church of Chengannur. It is believed that Christians in Chengannur area were migrated from Nilackal and attended services at the Church established by Apostle St. Thomas . They built the old Syrian Church at Chengannur for their convenience of attending services and performing other rituals.It was very difficult for the people of Pennukkara and near localities to go to Old Syriyan Church at Chengannur for attending Holy Communion services and taking part other Christian rituals, especially during rainy seasons . Moreover they have to face the objection and disapproval of Hindus and their Priests for taking dead bodies through the roads infront of their Temples for funeral service at Chengannur. All odds and unfavorable circumstances prompted our forefathers to pray continously for His blessings to have a Church of their own at Pennukkara.

Reformation Movement (Naveekarana Prasthanam) with Very Rev. Abraham malpan at its helm on 1870’s, inspired by it our forfathers establish a Prayer group in their locality. In the year 1045(1870) members from 15 families assembled and conducted a prayer meeting in a thatched shed built in the property of Vellamcheril Mathen Kochukunju with his permission.

In 1062(1887) Kondoor property, where the temporary prayer hall built,was bought asper sale deed from Vellamcheril Mathen Kochukunju, all iniatives taken by the founder 15 familly Heads. They toiled and straggled hard to get the permission for Church and the Cemetary approbated by the authority.

The dream and Prayers of our forefathers was fullfilled only after 9 years.It was in 1895 (1071) sanction was accorded for the church and the Cemetary. As per the circular from Rt. Rev. Titus I Marthoma Metropolitan , hectic arrangements were made in the prayer hall and on Septemper 15th Sunday 1895(1071 Chingam-31) Rev. Kotturethu Joseph Kaseesa errected and concecrated the Holy Cross in the Sanctum Sanctorum and the first Holy Communion was solemnized. That was the beginning of St. Thomas Marthoma Church Pennukkara.

The Church is popularly known as Kondoor Palli. As christian families from immedite neibourhood became members of the church, its dominion expanded to Kodukulanji, Ala, Angadicalsouth and Cheriayanadu. The construction of new building for Church became imperative. The work was started in 1907 and completed on 1912. It was consecrated, dedicated and the Holy Communion was solemnized by His Grace Rt. Rev. Titus II Marthoma Metropolitan.The Silver jubilee of the Church in 1920, the Golden jubilee in 1945 and the Platinum jubilee in 1970 were celebrated in this Church. After 60 years as the building was in a dilapidated condition and it was insufficient for accomodating people in Sunday services. It was demolished and the foundation stone for a new church building was laid by Rt. Rev. Mathews mar Athanessius Episcopa on 25th December 1972.

At this juncture about fifty families of our parish saught permission from Marthoma Church to initiate a new Parish at the northern part of Pennukkara. Permission granted, the newly formed parish is christened as Immanuvel Marthoma Church Pennukkara. Now it is a fullfleged Parish with more than 100 families.

The work of the new building for the Church was in progress. It was completed and conscersted, dedicated and the Holy communion by His Grace Rt. Rev. Yuhanon Marthoma Metropolitan on 24th January 1976. The centinary of the church was celebrated in September 1995 in this church. When the number of families increased from 200 to 340 with in 40 years, as it became difficult to give accomodation for the people to take part in Holy communion. Then Edavaka sangham decided to expand and renovate the Church building. The work was started on 13th September 2015, and completed with in one year.The dedication service was solemnized by Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Themothios Episcopa on 25th September 2016. The very same building of the church has been our place of worship ever since.

The 125th year jubilee celebration inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Themothios Episcopa on 15th September 2019. The valedictory meeting of the Jubilee program, which lasted for one year conducted on March 14th, 2021. Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Themothios Episcopa was the chief guest.

(Church history transilated by Prof. Prince Abraham)