BEGINNINGS IN BAY AREA

Mar Thoma Church had its humble beginnings in Bay Area dating back to late 1970 when a group of people came together to worship the Lord as prayer group. Their dedication and prayerful motives led to form a Mar Thoma Congregation in Bay Area. On July 29’th, 1984, Rt. Rev. Dr. Thomas Mar Athanasius Suffragan Metropolitan, then diocesan Bishop visited Bay Area along with Rev. D.Philip and conducted a Holy Communion Service at San Francisco. 19 families attended the service. After the Holy Communion service, as per the request of the small group to start a Mar Thoma Congregation here in San Francisco Bay area, Beloved Thirumeni granted the permission to start a congregation and conduct services.

On June 15’ 1990, Rt. Rev Philipose Mar Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitan, then Diocesan Bishop notified that the Metropolitan Most. Rev Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma and the synod raised the congregation to the status of a Parish. The Parish was named Mar Thoma Church of San Francisco.

The worship service was held at First United Methodist Church in Downtown San Jose until 1992. From 1992, regular worship service was held at First United Methodist Church, Sunnyvale. In the year 2002, the parish was able to buy a Church building at 418 Junction Ave, Livermore and started the service at the new location on May 26, 2002.

VICARS FROM OTHER PARISHES USED TO CELEBRATE HOLY COMMUNION WHENEVER CONVENIENT

• Rev. K.G.Pothen,
• Rev. Dr.Alexander A Thomas,
• Rev. John Chacko
• Rev. Dr.K.V.Simon,from Los Angeles Mar Thoma Church
• Rev Eapen of CSI Church
• Rev. K.G.Daniel of CSI Church

SINCE 1997, THE PARISH RECEIVED SERVICES FROM VICARS STATIONED IN THE BAY AREA

• Rev. Kurian Thomas (1997 to 2002)
• Rev. George.K.John (2002 to 2005)
• Rev. James.M.Koshy Veeramala (2005 to 2008)
• Rev. K.A.Abraham (2008 to 2011)
• Rev. Viji Kurikesu. (2011 to 2014)
• Rev. Biju.P.Simon (2014 to 2017)
• Rev. Larry.P.Varghese (2017 to present)
• Rev. John Geevarghese (2017 to present)

On January 1, 2015, Mar Thoma Congregation of Silicon Valley was formed by a kalpana from Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius. The congregation was started with 39 families from Mar Thoma Church of San Francisco. On February 17 2015, the Metropolitan, Rt. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma and the Episcopal Synod raised the status of congregation to a Parish. The parish was named Mar Thoma Church of Silicon Valley. Rev. Biju..P.Simon was appointed as first Vicar of the Parish