Detroit Mar Thoma Church

Our History

The Detroit Mar Thoma Parish started with a few Mar Thomaite families gathering together back in the early 70's for prayer and fellowship. As the families grew in number over the next few years, the Detroit Mar Thoma Church officially became accepted as a Congregation in 1978 and then as a Parish in 1981, during the Episcopal visit of the late Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanassius Thirumeni. Rev. Ipe Joseph was appointed as our first Vicar in September 1979 and in 1990 Rev E. J. Joseph became our resident full time Vicar. Between those two dates we have had several Vicars, including Rev. Cherian Thomas, the Late Rev. T. I. Joseph, Rev. Dr. Moni Mathew, Rev. Renji Verghese and Rev. George Mathew who were resident vicars of the Chicago Mar Thoma Church. Our current Vicar, Rev. Shaji K. Thomas is our 12th Vicar.

During the first 21 years, St. Peter's Episcopal Church, Detroit allowed us to use their facilities for our worship services and programs. On September 9, 1995, we purchased the land for the church with the foundation stone being laid on October 19th 1997. By late 1999 the construction of our church and the Fellowship Hall was in full swing. The construction was completed in 2000 and the dedication ceremony was held on March 11 of 2000 by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophillus Suffragan Metropolitan.