Our History

Our History

The Chicago Mar Thoma Church is the realization of the heartfelt desire of few faithful families who desired to worship in our tradition, and organized prayer group beginning in 1973. The late Metropolitan, Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma (who was Alexander Mar Theophilus Episcopa at the time) on his visit to Chicago in 1973 encouraged the small group to meet for regular Bible study, prayer and worship which eventually became a Mar Thoma Congregation, as per decision of the Episcopal Synod in May 1978. As the congregation continued to grow spiritually and in membership it was elevated to full parish in Aug 1981, with the privilege of a full-time Vicar beginning in 1983.

The members strongly desired to have their own place of worship and with the Almighty God’s help we purchased the land at 240 Potter Road in 1983. Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan laid the foundation stone on July 14, 1985. With God’s grace and the support of members, in November 1986, the late Rt. Rev. Easow Mar Timotheos Episcopa dedicated the newly constructed Chicago Mar Thoma Church (CMTC). The parish acquired another acre of land in August 1988 for Parsonage building. The parish has grown tremendously, in membership, in service to the community, and in her support of the missions of the Church. With the tremendous growth of membership over the years, Chicago Mar Thoma Church has become the mother parish for Bethel Mar Thoma Church in Frankfort, IL in 1991 and St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church in Lombard in 2004, which were organized for the convenience of members of those parishes.

The CMTC has a vibrant Sunday School with many dedicated teachers; Youth Fellowship, Yuvajana Sakhyam, Sevika Sangham, eleven area prayer groups, and Senior Fellowship. These organizations cater to the spiritual needs, nurture Christian character, impart Biblical instruction, and provide opportunity for social interaction to each age group.Today, Chicago Mar Thoma Church is one of the largest Parishes with 335 families in the Diocese of North America and Europe. We praise God for His amazing grace that sustained and guided us in our growth. Currently, the parish is served by Rev. Aby M. Thomas Tharakan as the Senior Vicar and Rev. Sherin Varghese Oommen as the Assistant Vicar.