HISTORY OF THE CANADIAN MAR THOMA CHURCH TORONTO

Before the esteemed arrival of the Reverend Abraham Lincoln in the year 1972, there existed no assemblages for prayer nor any established congregations for prayer gatherings within the Mar Thoma Community of Toronto. In those years spanning from 1967 to 1971, the faithful of the All-Kerala Christians’ Community collectively partook in a mere handful, ranging from three to five, of Holy Communion services conducted by itinerant clergy. It was during this very epoch, circa 1971 or perhaps 1972, that the Orthodox Church, operating under the appellation of the St. Gregorios Orthodox Church of Toronto, commenced its own divine worship.

Important dates and events are listed below:

• September 1972: Commencement of Mar Thoma Syrian Liturgical Worship in Canada.

• May 1, 1978: Attainment of Congregation status.

• May 14, 1979: Official recognition as a registered church in Canada by the Federal Government with the bestowed name “THE CANADIAN MAR THOMA CHURCH TORONTO.”

• August 30, 1981: Elevation as Parish.

Organizations

• 1979: Commencement of Sevika Sanghom.

• 1980: Initiation of Sunday School, VBS, Youth Fellowship, and Malayalam Choir.

• 1987: Establishment of Edavaka Mission.

• 2005: Commencement of Yuvajana Sakhyam.

• 2007: Inauguration of Seniors’ Fellowship.

Places of Worship

• 1972-1985: Trinity College, 6 Hoskin Avenue, Toronto (12 years 4 months).

• 1982-1984: Relocation of Sunday School Classes to OISE, 246 Bloor St W. Toronto.

• 1985-1987: Etienne Brule Secondary School, 300 Banbury Rd, North York.

• 1987-2017: 313 Main St. N. Markham ON (30 years).

• October 21, 2017: Transition to 159 Sandiford Dr. Whitchurch – Stouffville ON.

Membership growth:

• 1972- 2001                  20  to 210 families    (80 approx families joined St. Mathews )
• 2001-2017                   130 to 237 families   ( Relocated  from Markham to Stouffville)
• 2017-2022                   237 to 300 families (approx)                          

Major events

• 1982: Hosted First Family Conference of North America. Also hosted 15th and 25th Family Conferences in 1987 and 2007, respectively.

• 1983, October 31: Completed incorporation in Ontario as a non-profit Corporation.

• 1986: Hosted the first regional Youth Conference.

• 1987, June 30: Purchased the church building at 313 Main St. N. Markham, ON.

• 1987, July 25: Church dedication by the Most Rev. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan.

• Dec 28, 1989: Purchased the parsonage at 50 Wales Ave. Markham.

• 1989: Hosted the Mar Thoma Youth Conference of North America at Waterloo University.

• July 22, 2001: St. Mathews Mar Thoma Church formed and dedicated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Zacharias Mar Theophilus.

• 2007: Hosted the 25th North American Family Conference.

• May 2014: Purchased 2.45 acres of land in Whitchurch-Stouffville.

• May 7, 2016: Cornerstone laid for the new church building by the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan.

• July 16, 2016: Construction started for the new building.

• Oct 21, 2017: Dedicated the new church building by the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan.

Contributions:

• Annual significant contributions made to numerous charities in India and Canada.

• CMTC Toronto instrumental in sending two main speakers (Rev. Dr. Leonard Griffith and Rev. Charles Price) to Maramon convention.

• 2007: Built 52 homes for the homeless under the Navathy project.

• 2020: Supported the local hospital in purchasing ventilators and other Covid-19 accessories.