ABOUT US
Our Beginnings
![Old Church Building](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Mar-Thoma-Church-Chembur-Old-300x292.jpeg)
The Chembur Mar Thoma Parish is more than five decades old and traces its origins to a prayer group of Mumbai Mar Thoma Parish. The Mar Thomaites living in Chembur increased to such an extent that the need was felt for having a dedicated worship place in the Chembur-Mankhurd area. Subsequently a plot of land was purchased in Govandi, in the year 1963. The prayer group was elevated as a Chapel in 1965 by the late Rt. Rev. Thomas Mar Athanasius, the then Diocesan Episcopa, who continued to be a strong source of guidance and encouragement.
On 1st July 1968, the Chapel was given the status of a full-fledged Parish. The foundation stone of the Church building was laid by the late Rev. P K Koshy, the then Vicar of Dadar Mar Thoma Parish and the dedication ceremony was held on 11th January 1970 by the Late Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Theophilos, the then Diocesan Episcopa.
Our very first Vicar was Rev. T C Thomas.
![Mar Thoma Church Chembur](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Church-Facade-300x300.jpg)
What started out as a small prayer group with 5-10 families, is today a large and vibrant community of 212 families and 835 members, worshipping regularly and participating in the various programmes and events of the Church. While many of the original founding members are still present even today, we see and are encouraged that their children and grand-children have carried forward the mantle and are active members of the Parish today.
Our Former Vicars
![Late Rev T C Thomas](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/01_Late-Rev-T-C-Thomas.jpg)
1968-1970
Late Rev. T C Thomas
![](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/placeholder.jpg)
1970-1971
Late Rev. K T Mathew
![Rev K C George](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/03_Rev-K-C-George.jpg)
1971-1974
Rev. K C George
![Rev T A John](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/04_Rev-T-A-John.jpg)
1974-1977
Late Rev. T A John
![Rev G Varghese](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/05_Rev-G-Varghese.jpg)
1977-1980
Rev. G Verghese
![](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/06_Rev-Joseph-Jacob.jpeg)
1980-1982
Rev. Joseph Jacob
![](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/06_Rt-Rev-Joseph-Mar-Barnabas.jpg)
Presently Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa
![Rev K M Philip](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/07_Rev-K-M-Philip.jpg)
1982-1986
Rev. K M Philip
![Rev George Mathew](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/08_Rev-George-Mathew.jpg)
1986-1990
Rev. George Mathew
![Rev Thomas Chandy](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/09_Rev-Thomas-Chandy.jpg)
1990-1994
Rev. Thomas P Chandy
![Rev C Joseph](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/10_Rev-C-Joseph.jpg)
1994-1997
Rev. C Joseph
![Rev Raju Anchery](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/11_Rev-Raju-Anchery.jpg)
1998-2002
Rev. Raju George Anchery
![Rev Vinoy Daniel](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/12_Rev-Vinoy-Daniel.jpg)
2002-2003
Rev. Vinoy Daniel
![Rev Joseph Ayrookuzhy](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/13_Rev-Joseph-Ayrookuzhy.jpg)
2003-2004
Rev. Joseph Ayrookuzhy
![Rev Joseph K George](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/14-Rev-Joseph-K-George.jpeg)
2004-2005
Rev. Joseph K George
![Rev Philip George](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/15-Rev-Philip-George.jpg)
2005-2008
Rev. Philip George
![Rev A T Thomas](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/16_Rev-A-T-Thomas.jpg)
2008-2010
Rev. A T Thomas
![Rev P P Kuruvilla](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/17_Rev-P-P-Kuruvilla.jpg)
2010-2013
Rev. P P Kuruvilla
![Rev A Y Varughese](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/18_Rev-A-Y-Varughese.jpg)
2013-2016
Rev. A Y Varughese
![Rev Minoy N Kuruvilla](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/19_Rev_Minoy_N_Kuruvilla-150x150.jpg)
2016-2019
Rev. Minoy N Kuruvilla
Our Vicar
![Aby Achen family](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Aby-Achen-family.jpg)
Aby Achen and Kshema Kochamma were married in 1997. Kochamma is the youngest daughter of a former school head-master, late Mr. George Joseph and late Mrs. Mariamma Joseph, who was active in public life and was a panchayat member for over 25 years. They belong to Vellareth Panthradiyil family.
Kochamma plays an active part in the parish ministry. She is a post-graduate in Environmental Science. They have two sons – Abhishikth (Abhi) and Sathchith (Sachu).
Abhi is pursuing his M.Sc., Psychology (Counselling) at Christ University, Bengaluru and has keen passion and interests in music and uses his talents to reinforce his commitments to the Kingdom of our Lord.
Younger Sachu is a bubbly and inquisitive child studying in 7th Standard.
The guiding force of Chembur Parish is Rev. (Dr) John George – fondly called as Aby Achen, our Vicar from 1st May 2019. Within a short time, Aby Achen has been able to create a strong bonding with all members of the parish. His ability to listen, compassion and simplicity is adored a lot by all members of the parish – young and old. Achen’s ministry at the parish is a blessing for all. His ability to bring out biblical truths and narrate it in the simplest of ways is a testimony of his grasp over the subject and his commitment to the word of God.
Aby Achen was born in August 1971 as the eldest son to Late Mr. O George and Mrs. Marikutty George and belongs to Kattumpurathu Family of Chathannur in Kollam District of Kerala. Achen has two younger brothers – Mr. Paul George is an Insurance Advisor by profession and has played an active role in the parish and at sabha level, mainly through Yuva Jana Sakhyam and UESI. Younger brother Rev. (Dr.) Jacob George, also a priest in the Marthoma Church, is currently a counsellor and faculty member at TMA Institute, Amalagiri, Kottayam.
After graduating in Zoology from Kerala University, Aby Achen reaffirmed his commitment to work for His Ministry and worked as the youth chaplain of Adoor Diocese of Mar Thoma Church. Later, he joined Leonard Theological College, Jabalpur and completed BD in 1997. He was ordained as a Semmash on 13th June 1997 and ordained a Kassesa on 17th July 1997. Initial years as a clergy saw Achen working at a few parishes in Kerala. Thereafter, Marthoma Sabha has sent Achen to Kota in Rajasthan, Wayanad in Kerala, Dubai, Pazhanji in Kerala, Ahmedabad, Mira Road and now in Chembur. Achen has left lasting imprints in the minds of the faithful community in all these places.
His ability and commitment to uplift the underserved communities was evident during his work with the tribals in Wayanad District. In the midst of all these, Achen augmented his knowledge and understanding through a Doctoral Study from Serampore University. The topic was “Integrating eco-vision in pastoral ministry” with an added focus to the very important aspect of food security and waste management.
The description of Aby Achen will be incomplete without a mention of his zeal and passion for nature and the environment. He inspires people with his enthusiasm to grow a variety of vegetables, fruits and flowers. To him, soil is a gift from God that needs to be nurtured. This aspect of Achen manifests itself in Chembur Parish too.
May our Good Lord continue to bless Aby Achen and Family with all goodness and health and use him for the purpose of His Kingdom through the Marthoma Church.
Executive Committee 2022-23
Core Committee
![Rev Dr John George](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Rev-Dr-John-George.jpg)
Vicar-President
Rev. Dr. John George
![VJ Mathew](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/VJMathew-1.jpg)
Vice-President
V J Mathew
![](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/SanthoshKB.jpg)
Secretary
Santhosh K B
![Jacob Ninan](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/JacobNinan.jpg)
Trustee - Finance
Jacob Ninan
![Libu - Trustee Accounts](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Libu.jpg)
Trustee - Accounts
Libu Mathew
Lay Leaders
![Renji James - Lay Leader](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Renji.jpg)
Renji James
![](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Joby-Easaw.jpg)
Joby P Easaw
Mandalam and Diocese Representatives
![PT Thomas](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/PT-Thomas.jpg)
Mandalam Member
P T Thomas
![John Mathew](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/JohnMathew.jpg)
Diocesan Assembly Member
Dr. John Mathew
![V PSimon](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/V-PSimon.jpg)
Diocesan Assembly Member
V P Simon
Organization Representatives
![K T Thomas - Edavaka Mission](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/K-T-Thomas.jpg)
Edavaka Mission
K T Thomas
![Mariamma Renji](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Mariamma-Renji.jpg)
Sevika Sangham
Mini Renji
![Reena George](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Reena-George.jpg)
Sunday School
Reena George
![Anil - Youth League](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Anil.jpg)
Youth League
Anil Simon
Prayer Group Representatives
![VijayJohn](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/VijayJohn.jpg)
Anushakti Nagar
Vijay John
![Cherian - Assisi Nagar Rep](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Cherian.jpg)
Assisi Nagar
Cherian Thomas
![GeorgeVarghese](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/GeorgeVarghese.jpg)
Central Chembur I
George Varghese T
![John Chacko - Central Chembur 2 Rep](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/John.jpg)
Central Chembur II
John Chacko
![Cherian Oommen](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/Cherian-Oommen.jpg)
Chedda Nagar
Cherian Oommen
![Thomas V - Ghatkopar Area Rep](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Thomas-V.jpg)
Ghatkopar
Thomas Varghese
![MathewCherian](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MathewCherian.jpg)
Navi Mumbai
Mathew K Cherian
![TomAbraham](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/TomAbraham.jpg)
Other Area
Tom Abraham
![MPJohn - Pestom Sagar Rep](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/MPJohn.png)
Pestom Sagar
M P John
![](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/JacobJohn.jpg)
RCF-Mahul
Jacob John
![](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/PTVarghese.jpg)
Tilak Nagar
P T Varghese
Internal Auditors
![Shiju - Internal Auditor](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Shiju.jpg)
Shiju Varghese
![K G Abraham - Internal Auditor](https://marthomachurchchembur.in/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/K-G-Abraham.jpg)
K G Abraham