The Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Famers Branch

About Us

History of our Parish

"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, his love endures forever."

A small congregation of believers originally began meeting together to worship in 1973, at St. Luke’s Methodist Church,Dallas. After a few years, the congregation moved their worship services to Cochran Methodist Church, Dallas. It was during these formative years at Cochran Chapel that we began to form the church and build our identity. Our humble beginnings as a group of believers was eventually recognized as an official Mar Thoma congregation by the Episcopal Synod of the Mar Thoma Church in 1976.

In 1984, we purchased a church facility in Grand Prairie, and begin worshipping there on December 21, 1984, dedicated by our late Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan. During this time in Grand Prairie, we grew in numbers, in activities, and in fellowship. It was a prosperous, blessedtime for our growing church family. As our church continued to grow, it became apparent that we needed another Mar Thoma church in Dallas. In 1989, approximately 35 families from east Dallas and Mesquite formed a separate parish, the St. Paul’s Mar Thoma Church. Today, St. Paul’s is a vibrant and active church, that continues to experience the grace and blessings of God.

We continued to experience high growth in the late 1980s and early 1990s. In 1993, a historic decision was made by the General Body of the church to purchase 7 acres of land in Farmers Branch. Thus began the process of re-location. On the 27th of September, 1993, we acquired the land at 11550 Luna Road in Farmers Branch. On October 2nd 1994, the corner stone for the church was laid by our former Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus, and groundbreaking began in August 1995.

The church was dedicated to the glory of God on August 10th, 1996, by Zacharias Thirumeni. The construction of the facility lasted approximately one year at a total cost of over .7M dollars. In the wordsof our Building Committee convenor, “What was once a piece of wasteland with stones and thorns, is transformed into a great altar of worship, by the Grace of God and work of men. In the same way this facility should help transform human hearts to experience the love of Jesus.” As with any change, there were some growing pains. On August 11th, 1996, Zacharias Thirumeni declared the division of the Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, into the Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Farmers Branch, and the Mar Thoma Church of Dallas, Grand Prairie.

After we moved into the new facility, our parish experienced explosive growth -growth in numbers, growth in our activities,and most importantly, growth in our spiritual lives.

In 2004, a development project was completed, creating a balcony and added parking spaces, and wasblessed by our Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev.Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos, on June 27th, 2004.

During the past 29 years in Dallas, we have experienced the leadership and vision of several Achens (priests). The late Rev. T.I. Joseph was with us as we began our journey from 1973 to 1976. Rev. T.J. Thomas followed from 1976 to 1979. Rev. Joseph Thomas was Vicar from 1979 to 1982. In 1982, Rev. Dr. Philip Varghese was Vicar for a brief period until Rev. K.M. Samuel was formally assigned as Vicar until 1986. Philip Varghese Achen took the helm of the parish at a critical moment, transitioning the parish to stability. Achen realized the need to form smaller prayer groups in the parish and split the parish into several prayer groups. These prayer cells were the backbone of our parish and continue to be the strength of our church. The creation of smaller prayer groups was a milestone step in teh spiritual growth of this parish. Samuel Achen was instrumental in the purchasing of facility in Grand Prairie.

From 1986 to 1990, Rev. C.K. Mathew was the Vicar of our parish. Up to this time, many of these achens were Vicar of the parish and full time students at the Perkins School of Theology in SMU. They served the parish well, while continuing their higher education in theology. In 1990, Rev. P.J. Alex was appointed as Vicar, the first full-time vicar of our parish.

From 1993 to 1997, Rev. Ninan Jacob was Vicar. These years were some of the most crucial and tense times for our parish as we transitioned to the new facility and overcame many challenges and obstacles. Ninan Jaocb achen was fundamental to all these activities, and played a vital role throughout the construction and transition process. Rev. Sajan P. Mathew served as Vicar from 1997 to 2001. During Sajan Achen’s time, our parish life was energized and renewed. In 2001, Rev. P.Mathew assumed leadership of our parish. P.Mathew Achen played an active role in the life of our youth and during his tenure, our balcony and parking lot expansion project was initiated. P. Mathew Achen served as Vicar until 2004. Rev. Anil George became Vicar of this parish in 2004. Anil Achen provides our parish with passion and energy, and we are blessed to have him as our Vicar. And let us remember Rev. P.V. Thomas, who although is retired from active service, is faithfully serving our church for many years, and serves as a constant voice of balance and strength.

As our parish life continued to evolve, the church realized the importance to minister to the youth of the church. We are blessed to have the service of several youth chaplains, Rev. M.O. Oommen, Rev. Saji Joseph, and Rev. Ninu Chandy, who is currently our Dallas area Youth Chaplain.

In 29 years, what was once a handful of believers worshipping in homes and rented church halls, has grown to one of the North America & Europe Diocese'slargest churches, with over 300 families, and 1,100 members, divided into7 area prayer groups. How great is the Lord and his works!

Our church organizations play a vital role in the growth and continued spiritual development of this parish. Organizations include Parish Mission, Sevika Sangham, Sunday School, Yuvajana Sakhyam, Youth Fellowship, and Choir.

Our church is transforming into a mission-oriented parish. We are active participants in both the Mexico Mission and Native American Mission, projects of the Diocese. Our church has undertaken its own project, the School for the Deaf and Industrial Training Center in Kasaragod, Kerala, India. We have full sponsorship of this center, and to raise funds for this, we conduct our Mar Thoma Fest in October every year, a festival with a purpose rooted in mission. This year, our parish has decided to support another important mission – the AIDS project of the Trivandrum/Quilon Diocese. As AIDS is an increasing concern globally, our church has taken the initiative to act and do our part to help in combating this disease and treating those afflicted.

As we look forward, our church faces a promising future. If you look in our Sunday School rooms, in the balcony pews, and all around us, you will see the faces of our future.

We continue to be energized and challenged to do the Lord’s work. As we move forward in the coming years, this church will continue it’s missionary zeal, serving the underprivilieged in the Dallas area, growingwhere we are planted, and continuing to be active in missions across the world. God has called us out as a chosen people, he has blessed us so we can be a blessing to the community.

And as we move forward in faith, we never forget the past. We always remember those few members who started worshipping together in the early ‘70s. Let us not forget all those who served on the various church building committees.We willalways remember all the officebearers who have served this church from the early days until this present day.

Let us always remember those that have come before us.It is a very humbling thought to know that as a church, we are where we are today because we stand on the shoulders of giants that have come before us.

Wemove forwardin humility. We look back in remembrance and thanksgivingand keep our focus on the future.

Our journey of faith continues. God has lighted our path for 29 years… so we go forward and let our light shine brightly in this world. May God continue to bless us, and may we become a blessing to others.