MarThoma Church, Melbourne

The origins of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar known as MarThoma Church, traditionally believed to have been founded by Saint Thomas, one of the disciples of Jesus Christ in AD 52. The Church  is Apostolic in origin, Universal in nature, Biblical in faith, Evangelical in principle, Ecumenical in outlook, Oriental in worship, Democratic in function, and Episcopal in character. While retaining many of the traditional characteristics of the ancient Eastern Church, the Mar Thoma Church keeps very close relations with Christian churches in other parts of the world. It is in full communion with the churches of the Anglican Communion and maintains special relations with the Episcopal Church in the USA and the Anglican churches in Australia and Canada, as well as with the Uniting Church in Australia.

Melbourne, the capital of Victoria State is the second most populous city in Australia and is relatively modern a city being less than 200 years old. The city is often referred as Australia’s sporting and cultural capital. Melbourne is notable for its mix of Victorian and Contemporary architecture, Victorian parks and gardens, excellent academic facilities as well as its diverse multicultural society.

 The Melbourne MarThoma Parish was established on the All Saints day, Nov.1^st 1997. This was a major milestone in the history of the Marthoma community in Melbourne. Since 1980, the Marthomites met regularly as a fellowship group in various homes for Bible Study and prayer. In 1991 the group was recognized as Melbourne MarThoma Congregation and subsequently Parish in 1997. The newly bought Heritage church (College Church) in the heart of the city was dedicated on Saturday the 8^th March 2008. We humbly accept that the growth of Melbourne Parish to the present state with 175 families worshipping in our own church is by the grace of God.  

As a migrant community in an alien land, though the environmental influences are challenging, we are trying to follow the faith and practices of the church and inculcate the same to the younger generation through various means. The spiritual initiation and sincere participation shown by the members enabled the parish to undertake more Christian responsibilities, especially towards meeting the needs of our motherland mission.