Sharon Mar Thoma Church
HOLY COMMUNION
FASTING PRAYER
SUNDAY SCHOOL
A Brief History
In the mid-1970s, the Kaloor-Edappally Prayer Groups of Salem Mar Thoma Church had grown to a significant number of families and a need for a Church in that suburb was felt. The dream of establishing the new Church began with the acquisition of 24 cents of land at Palarivattom in Kochi city. Soon another 20 cents of land had been acquired even before the commencement of construction of the Church building. The encouragement with this subject was rendered by the Late Metropolitan His Grace the Most Rev. Dr. Yuhanon Mar Thoma and Rev. D. Alexander, who was then the vicar of the Salem Mar Thoma Church.
On 27 August 1977, the foundation stone for the Church was laid by Most Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Valia Metropolitan in the presence of Rt. Rev. Easow Mar Themotheos Episcopa, and the construction of the Church building began in earnest. With the contribution and loan given by our members, along with the hard work and inspiration put in by Rev. T. C. Thomas, the next vicar of Salem Mar Thoma Church, the construction of the Church building was completed in 1979. The new Church was consecrated as SHARON MAR THOMA CHURCH, on 22 December 1979, by Diocesian Bishop Rt. Rev. Easow Mar Themotheos Episcopa in the presence of Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius Episcopa. Rev. K. C George extended his vicarial services to the Sharon Mar Thoma Church, Palarivatom for two months, while also serving as vicar of the Salem Mar Thoma Church. In early 1980, Rev. K. V. Varkey was appointed as first full time vicar of the Parish.
Other key milestones in the history of this Parish are listed here –
- 1982: 10 cents of land acquired at Thengode for use as cemetery.
- 1984: Construction of Parsonage commenced; the house-warming of the Parsonage was done on 15 November 1985.
- 1986: Sexton quarters, Kitchen and Toilet block constructed.
- 1992-93: A small hall was constructed in the front of the Church building.
- 1994: Additional 5 cents of land acquired.
- 1997: Kakkanad Christos Mar Thoma Church was started with the help of Sharon Mar Thoma Church with members of Vennala-Padivattom Prayer Group.
- 1997: 10 cents of land was acquired and added to the already existing 10 cents given by the church for the cemetery at Thengode.
- 1999-2000: The western side of the church was made in level with the Church.
- 2002: Rev. Mathews Philip was appointed as the first Assistant Vicar of Church. Also in the same year the Sunday School Hall was constructed in the first floor of the Church building.
- 2003-04: Silver Jubilee of the Church was celebrated.
- 2004: The land adjacent to the Church building measuring 20.5 cents was purchased and the existing building of that plot was refurnished to be used as office and Assistant Vicar’s Parsonage.
- 2008: the existing Church building was demolished and work on the new Church building and cellar commenced. Foundation stone for the reconstruction of Sharon Mar Thoma Church, Palarivattom was laid by His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos on 19 April 2008.
- 2009: Construction of the new building was completed; Dedication and consecration of this sanctuary on 28 November 2009 by His Grace The Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma, His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos (Diocesan Episcopa) and His Lordship Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philixenos. The office building and the Asst. Vicar’s quarters was renovated as parsonages for Vicar and Asst. Vicar.
- 2018: 63.23 cents of land for cemetry purchased at Puthenkurissu.
- 2019: 40th Anniversary of the Church celebrated.
- 2021: Parish Mobile Application launched.
The Parish has been very active in supporting various missions of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church – Mamalakandam, Pollachi and Mundugode are mission fields supported by our church. Ammaigoundennoor project is our new initiative. The contribution of Sharon Mar Thoma Church in formation of Mar Thoma Guidance Centre Kochi is worth a special mention.
“POIKA MISSION FIELD” is our new ‘mission in partnership‘ project under the guidelines of Diocesan Episcopa.
The Sharon Mar Thoma Church, Palarivattom is a testimony to the Grace of the Almighty, who worked through several members that contributed with their time, talent and toil. May the Blessings of the Almighty God be with them forever.
Today, the Parish has 668 families grouped in 12 prayer groups, which meet on Sunday afternoons for prayer meetings, and as a common prayer meeting on the 5th Sunday.