The 1st of April 2015 will be remembered among the Mar Thomites in South Wales as a momentous occasion. It was on this day, with the blessings of HG Rt Rev Dr Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa, that the Cardiff Marthoma Congregation was officially declared an independent congregation within the Northern America & Europe Diocese. The inaugural service was held on the same day with the celebrant being HG Rt Rev Euyakim Mar Coorilos Episcopa who incidentally was also the celebrant for the first Mar Thoma Worship in Wales back in March 2008. Mar Thoma Churches from the UK was represented in the inaugural service and conveyed their best wishes. By the Grace of God, Our request for Cardiff MTC to be elevated to the status of Parish – “Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Cardiff” has was approved with effect from 15th Sept 2021.
Immanuel Mar Thoma Church, Cardiff started out as a prayer group of the St Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Bristol. A few members would regularly travel to Bristol to attend the worship service there in the early noughties. A first prayer meeting was held in September 2006 with the vicar Rev Benu John presiding and since then prayer meetings have been conducted once every month in Cardiff. Sunday School with a handful of students and the first worship service in Cardiff in Mar 2008 commenced under the able leadership of Rev Dr Abraham Mathew. Today the Sunday school has more than 30 students and is conducted regularly every Sunday. VBS has also been conducted with 50 – 60 students participating over the last 3 years. A second worship service every month and divine service every other Sunday also commenced under the stewardship of Rev KP Johnson. The Parish presently has 35+ active families and meets at the Trinity Methodist Church, Cardiff for worship and other related activities. The members are also in close fellowship with the Methodist community and other ethnic minority Christians who worship at the same church. An active Sevika Sangham has also been in existence conducting regular prayer meetings once every week for the past 3 years.
The Parish owes a debt of gratitude to the mother Parish, St Thomas Bristol and The Trinity Methodist Church, Cardiff for their support and nurture over the past years and most importantly, to the Almighty for the abundance of grace received. The members request your continued prayers during these early and challenging days of its existence.