About Our ParishSt Thomas Indian Orthodox Church, Poole, UK

In the third millennium year of 2001, few female members who were health professionals from India belong to the Malankara (Indian) Orthodox Church arrived in Poole and Bournemouth. When their family members joined them from abroad, members of our early congregation initially travelled to London to attend Holy Eucharistic services.

In 2003, Fr. Abraham Thomas (HG Abraham Mar Stephanos), Vicar at the time of St Gregorios Indian Orthodox Church, London, facilitated to start St Thomas prayer fellowship in Poole was led by Fr. Varghese Mathew (1st Vicar 2004-2013), which was the inception of our congregation. The First Holy Eucharist of our congregation was celebrated on 27th September 2003 in the Church of Christ the Saviour, Bournemouth, by Fr. John Mathew, Pallipadu, in the presence of Fr. Abraham Thomas (HG Abraham Mar Stephanos), supported by late Mr. P C Joseph and attended by about 12 faithful of our early congregation.

Our parish had its blessed inception of starting with a prayer fellowship and later as a congregation with support of dedicated members from the beginning for its spiritual and physical growth. In Jan 2007, the congregation was officially declared as a Parish by the Metropolitan of U.K & Canada Diocesan HG. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios of blessed memory.

Parish gratefully remember and pray for our beloved Catholicos, Bishops, Clergies, faithful members for their relentless service and prayerful support ever since we started. We are also indebted to our well-wishers, local communities, government agencies and churches who had shared their space for our worship in the past. Thank you.