The St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Cathedral Houston in Houston was established from a desire in the minds of the Indian immigrants to the Houston area in the early 70’s. They wanted a place to congregate and worship the Almighty God in the traditions and practices of the Malankara Orthodox Church.

On November 17, 1974, a newly formed prayer group invited Rev. Fr. C. O. Vargis from Corpus Christi to celebrate the Holy Qurbana according to the Malankara Syrian Orthodox rite in Houston, Texas. This service was held in the chapel of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Bellaire with 45 believers in attendance. Rev. Fr. C. O. Vargis decided to celebrate the Holy Qurbana in Houston on the third Sunday of every month. On December 15, 1974, after the Holy Qurbana, the first Managing Committee of the new congregation was elected with Rev. Fr. C. O. Vargis presiding. Rev. Deacon Zachariah Vennattukalathil was elected as the President of the new church.

It was, also, decided to affiliate the parish with the Diocese of Outside Kerala of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church of India. On December 29, 1974, the decision was made to name the church after the patron saint of India, the apostle St. Thomas. Also, the congregation decided to request the Metropolitan of the Diocese of Outside Kerala, His Grace Mathews Mar Athanasius to appoint Rev. Fr. C.O. Vargis as the first Vicar. On February 13, 1975, the Parish became a legal entity through its formal incorporation in Texas as a non-profit organization.

In 1979, His Grace Thomas Mar Makarios was appointed as the Diocesan Metropolitan for the newly formed American Diocese. In 1981, the dream of owning a permanent facility was fulfilled with the consecration of St. Thomas Indian Orthodox church in the neighborhood of Bridgeport in South-East Houston. From that point on, the Holy Qurbana was celebrated on every Sunday and all Moranaya Feast Days.

With the appointment of Rev. Fr. Gheevarghis Aroopala on May 15, 1988, the St. Thomas Church became the first church in the American Diocese to have a full-time Vicar. In 1990, a second sister church, the St. Stephens Orthodox Church was started in Houston.

The rapid growth of the St. Thomas church body initiated the process of building a larger church. Consequently, 8 acres of land was purchased in the Stafford area of Houston and the foundation stone was laid by His Grace Mathews Mar Barnabas on June 22, 1992. On Christmas Day of 1993, the newly built Church and Auditorium facility was consecrated.

In 1997, the church purchased an additional 4 acres to expand the compound to a total of 12 acres. Over the next few years, three laymen were ordained – Rev. Fr. V.C. Varghese (1998), Rev. Fr. Mathai Alakottu (1999) and Rev. Fr. Mammen Mathew (1999). Additionally, Rev. Dn. Binu Mathews was ordained as a Sub-Deacon in 1999 and later priest in 2010.

In 1999, the St. Thomas Orthodox Church of India in Houston celebrated its Silver Jubilee, blessed by His Holiness Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Mathews II. At this time, our beloved Vicar, Rev. Fr. Gheevarghis Aroopala was elevated to the position of Corepiscopa.

In 2012, Rev. Fr. Jacob Kurian and Rev. Fr. Christopher Mathew were ordained as priests at their home parish, the St. Thomas Indian Orthodox Cathedral Houston, by His Grace Alexios Mar Eusebius. Rev. Fr. Joel Mathew was also appointed as Assistant Vicar in July 2012.

Today, the Parish has over 360 subscribing member families. All spiritual organizations such as Sunday School, MGOCSM, FOCUS, and Youth Movement are active and flourishing. As the Parish continues to be a blessed oasis for Orthodox believers in Houston, let us pray that Almighty God’s hand be upon us at all times.