Amalloor Sehion Mar Thoma Church

In the unlimited and inexhaustible possibilities of the kingdom of God Christian church has carried on the untiring and challenging search for the unity, justice, and peace for the whole mankind. The Sehion Marthoma church has imbibed this version and the spirit of the kingdom values and has made humble yet significant efforts to be a witness to the values of the kingdom of God.

Mar Thoma church is part of the church founded by St.Thomas in India in 52 A.D. The ‘Amalloor’ village situated near the head quarters of the Mar Thoma church is a beautiful place and has been famous since time immemorial. The village gets its name from the legendary battle fought between Bhiman and Bekan and it was called ‘Aa mallammarude ooru’. The legend says that Bekan was defeated in the battle and his head was hurled into a place, which later came to be known as ‘Meenthalakkara’. It was earlier referred to as ‘Bahanthalakkara’.

The Amalloor primary school, which is a major landmark, was the outcome of the vision of Abraham Mar Thoma Metropolitan of Marettu Madom. In 1913, the building that was established as a result of the hard work of our forefathers was handed over to the Mar Thoma Evangelistic Association. A worship service was soon started there under the auspices of the Evangelistic Association. Also a Sunday school and a prayer group started functioning there.

The local people who used to worship at St.Thomas [Thiruvalla], Christos [Eruvallippara], St.Paul’s [Kizhakkenmuthoor], Valiapally [Kaviyoor] all started worshipping at this school since it was closer to them by distance.

Our forefathers envisioned an ‘Edavaka’ (Parish) of their own and on June 19th 1951 Late Mathews Mar Athenesius Episcopa recognized it as an ‘Edavaka’ and named it as ‘Amalloor Sehion’. The support of the late Abraham Mar Thoma Metropolitan was a great blessing.

In its infant days the Edavaka comprised of around 20 families. Till the church building came into existence the worship continued in the school building. The first vicar was late Vicar General V.T.Chacko Vadakketh. Puthupparambil Uthuppan was chosen as the sexton.

Land was bought from Urikkalayil Mr.Uthup in the name of Mr. K.G.Chacko Marettu Mattom in order to build the church building for Rs.1363/- and 10 annas and it was registered at the Tiruvalla Registrar Office-3639/11-9-50. On August 19, 1954, the late Mathews Mar Athenesius Episcopa laid the foundation stone for the Amalloor Sehion Mar Thoma Church. The unity, determination and hard wok of the Edavaka members coupled with the blessings of God Almighty enabled the work to be completed in no time. The dedication of the church was done on November 11th, 1954 by late Mathews Mar Athenesius Episcopa and our present Metropolitan Philipose Mar Crisostom Episcopa. Rev.T.C.George Marettumattom was the vicar.

The spiritual fervour of our forefathers helped in the formation of the church. The following were the pioneers in this endeavour. Rev. T.C. George (Marettu Madathil), Mr. Perumal Koshy (Madathilettu), Mr. Koshy Thomas (Parappallil), Mr. Koshy Yohannan (Madathilettu), Mr. Koshy Philipose (Mundamattathu), Mr. Kuruvilla Chacko (Nellimoottil), Mr. Kuruvilla Thomas (Nellimoottil Mannathu), Mr. Gee Varghese Chandy (Plapra), Mr. T.J. Itty (Aikarethu), Mr.M.C.Chacko (Edavaparambil) Mr. K.G. Chacko (Marettu Madathil), Mr. K.P. Abraham (Balu Vilasam), Mr. Abraham Varghese (Kannoth), Mr. A.J. George (Aanjilivelil), Mr.Ipe Mamman (Mangattu), Mr. Mamman Koshy (Mangattu), Mr.N.K.Kuruvilla (Nellimoottil) , Mr. M.J. Koshy (Madathilettu), Mr. M.J. Thomas (Madathilettu), Mr. M.T. Varghese (Madurayil), Mr. P.T. Mathai (Parappallil), Mr. C. Chacko (Edavaparambil), Mr. N.K. Varghese (Nellimoottil), Mr. Kuruvilla Kurien (Nellimoottil).

Achiamma of Marettu Madam, Annamma of Kallumoola, Achiamma of Nellimoottil are some of the names, which cannot go without mention. Because of the commitment and hard work put in by late Mr. K.P Abraham (Balu Vilasam) and the committee members, the church was completed in 83 days.

On July 24,1955, according to the decision of the committee, some land was bought from Mr. N.C Kuruvilla, Nellimoottil for the purpose of graveyard. This land ‘Kunjankala’ was next to the graveyard owned by the Evangelistic Association. On July 7th 1958 a road to the graveyard the “Church Road” was constructed under the leadership of the then vicar Rev. J. Joseph. Later on common vaults and family vaults were constructed stage by stage.

On October 17, 1976, 10 cents of land and the Reading room owned by the Amalloor Service Co-operative Society was bought at Rs.5588/-.

More families started joining the new parish. The church grew in number with members flowing in from Navajeevodayam, Kombady Bible School and Vanitha Mandiram. The gathering grew to the extent that the church had to be expanded to accommodate them. In 1984-1985, under the guidance of Rev. George John Athyali the church was extended. It was dedicated by late Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan.

Another milestone was the parsonage. The combined effort of the Edavaka members under the leadership of Rev. T.C. George led to the completion of the parsonage by 1990. On October 7th, the late Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan dedicated it.

The Edavaka’s wealth is its members who have always prayed, participated and financially supported all its activities. The gathering kept growing; members of the nearby institutions attended the church regularly and as a result there was a need for more space. In 2004, under the leadership of the then vicar Rev. P.J. Alex, the committee took a unanimous decision on building a new church, which can accommodate the growing congregation. The very same time the church celebrated its golden jubilee.

On November 2nd, 2004, Most Rev. Philipose Mar Crisostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan laid the foundation stone for the new church. The church construction progressed under the leadership of vicar Rev. P.J. Alex till his transfer in May 2006. Later on, the strong leadership of Vicar Rev. Dr. Samson M Jacob facilitate to complete the construction work in short span of time. Mr. M.P Thomas (Mundamattom) served as General convener, Mr.P.K.Thomas (Parappallil) served as Finance Convener. Mr.M.T.George (Mamuttil), Mr. Koshy Jacob (Mullamangalam), Mr.Chcko Thomas (Nellimoottil), Mr.Easow Mathew (Aikerth) supervised the church construction works.

Special thanks to Navajeevodayam leadership, who opened up the K.V Cherian Memorial Hall from February 2006 to May 2007 for church service.

God Almighty enabled us to complete a specious beautiful church building. On May 12th, 2007, Most Rev. Philipose Mar Crisostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan dedicated the new Sehion Church. The old church was dedicated on 1954 November 11th when the Metropolitan was an Episcopa, along with late Mathews Mar Athanesious Episcopa.

Hitherto the Lord has guided us. The God who saved Joseph from the well and Daniel from the Lions den has brought us thus far. Let us praise Him and Lift up His holy Name. If we walk in His ways and continue to trust Him, He will bless us.