ABOUT US

Our Beginnings

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.

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

1968-1970

Late Rev. T C Thomas

1970-1971

Late Rev. K T Mathew

1971-1974

Rev. K C George

1974-1977

Late Rev. T A John

1977-1980

Rev. G Verghese

1980-1982

Rev. Joseph Jacob

Presently Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa

1982-1986

Rev. K M Philip

1986-1990

Rev. George Mathew

1990-1994

Rev. Thomas P Chandy

1994-1997

Rev. C Joseph

1998-2002

Rev. Raju George Anchery

2002-2003

Rev. Vinoy Daniel

2003-2004

Rev. Joseph Ayrookuzhy

2004-2005

Rev. Joseph K George

2005-2008

Rev. Philip George

2008-2010

Rev. A T Thomas

2010-2013

Rev. P P Kuruvilla

2013-2016

Rev. A Y Varughese

2016-2019

Rev. Minoy N Kuruvilla

Our Vicar

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 1^st 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 13^th June 1997 and ordained a Kassesa on 17^th 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.