Church History
The Chicago Mar Thoma church was originated in the early nineteen seventies as small worship group. The Late Most Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Theophilus Metropolitan on his visit to Chicago in May 1973 encouraged the few marthomites in the area to meet for regular worship. This worship group became the first Chicago Mar Thoma congregation which grew in numbers with the influx of immigrants, and eventually was registered in March 1977 in the state of Illinois as not-for-profit organization. The congregation was assigned pastoral services for the first time in Sept 1977 and was approved, by the synod of the Mar Thoma church, as a congregation in May 1978. The congregation increased in its activities and member-enrollments was raised to the status of a parish in Aug 1981. The parish was not assigned its full time vicar until October 1984.
The parish ventured to acquire its own church, which was a big step from the rented buildings where the worship was previously being conducted. In January 1985 the existing land at 240 Potter road was purchased and in July 14, 1985 the foundation stone for a new church was laid, by the Late Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Theophilus. The church building was completed and dedicated in November 1986. Later, the church acquired the adjacent land for parking and purchased a parsonage for the vicar. In 1995 the church was blessed with the services of a second assistant vicar. The church, which started with less than twenty families in 1973 has now emerged to be the biggest parish in North America with around 430 families. Year 2004 is witnessing a significant turning point in the history of the Chicago Mar Thoma Church and St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church. As per the Kalpana of the Metropolitan, families from current membership became members of the new St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church of Chicago.
As the members continue to grow, the Chicago Mar Thoma Church has started its expansion in 2009.