About Us

A Testimony of Grace & Faithfulness

"This is none other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven."

— Genesis 28:17

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1991
Year Founded
143
Families
565
Members
7
Prayer Groups
Our Roots

Rooted in an Ancient Apostolic Tradition

The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church is one of the ancient Christian churches of the world and forms part of the One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church. According to tradition, St. Thomas the Apostle arrived in India in A.D. 52 and established the Church on the Malabar Coast, then known as Malankara.

The Delhi Diocese of the Mar Thoma Church oversees the parishes spread across North India. The growth of the Church in Delhi began in the mid-twentieth century, largely through missionary activity centred around Sihora, with St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Karol Bagh, as the pioneer parish in the capital; over the years several other Mar Thoma congregations were established across the Delhi-NCR region.

Bethel Mar Thoma Syrian Church, New Delhi, is one among these vibrant parishes and has emerged as a significant centre of worship, fellowship, and service within the Delhi Diocese. Over the past three decades, the parish has witnessed remarkable spiritual and institutional growth, nurtured by the dedication of its clergy and laity.

Bethel Mar Thoma Syrian Church, New Delhi Bethel Mar Thoma Syrian Church · Est. 1991 · New Delhi
Milestones

Our Journey Through the Years

18 May 1991

A Request for a New Parish

On 18 May 1991, four prayer groups functioning under Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church — Saket, Pushpa Vihar, Malviya Nagar, and Sheikh Sarai — submitted a request to the then Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Athanasius Episcopa, seeking approval to establish a new parish. The request was forwarded to the Metropolitan and was subsequently approved by the Episcopal Synod.

6 July 1991

Bethel — the House of God

On 6 July 1991, His Grace Dr. Alexander Mar Thoma Metropolitan named the newly formed parish "Bethel," meaning House of God. The same day, at 5:30 PM, the first Holy Qurbana of the parish was celebrated in the basement library of St. John's School, Greater Kailash, Masjid Moth — by His Grace himself, in the presence of Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Athanasius Episcopa and Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa. Rev. George Mathew (Karikom), then Vicar of Jerusalem Mar Thoma Church, was entrusted with the additional responsibility of serving as the first Vicar.

Founding Day
1991 – 2012

Twenty-One Years at St. John's School

For the next twenty-one years, St. John's School served as the spiritual home of Bethel Parish, as the congregation grew steadily in faith, fellowship, and number.

8 April 2011

Church Land Purchased

Through the dedication and prayers of parish members, 553 square yards of land were purchased on 8 April 2011, during the tenure of Rev. Sam Abraham as Vicar — a pivotal step towards a permanent home. Rt. Rev. Dr. Euyakim Mar Coorilos Episcopa visited and prayed over the newly acquired land.

Major Milestone
September 2012

Worship Moves to the New Premises

Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa blessed the temporary Madhbaha on 5 September 2012, and worship services shifted from St. John's School to the new premises on 9 September 2012, even as construction continued. During the final phase of construction, the congregation worshipped at the nearby Malankara Catholic Church from 6 January to 3 March 2013; the parish remains deeply indebted to the late Most Rev. Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas, Metropolitan of the Gurgaon Diocese of the Malankara Catholic Church, for his generous support and hospitality.

20 April 2013

The Church Consecrated

The new church building was consecrated on 20 April 2013 by Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa, in the presence of Rt. Rev. Dr. Abraham Mar Paulos Episcopa and the late Most Rev. Dr. Jacob Mar Barnabas Metropolitan. The first Holy Qurbana in the consecrated church was celebrated on 21 April 2013.

Consecration
2015 – 2016

Silver Jubilee

During the Silver Jubilee (2015–2016), Rt. Rev. Joseph Mar Barnabas Episcopa inaugurated the medical aid scheme "Bethel Sanjivani" and the educational aid scheme "Bethel Jyoti." The celebrations were concluded on 10 July 2016 by His Grace Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom, Valiya Metropolitan, in the presence of Rt. Rev. Dr. Gregorios Mar Stephanos Episcopa. Bethel was also honoured as Best Parish in the Diocese for 2014–15, 2015–16, and 2018–19.

25 Years
Today

A Thriving Parish Community

Today Bethel Mar Thoma Syrian Church comprises 143 active families with 565 members, organised into seven prayer groups, with active organisations including the Choir, Edavaka Mission, Sevika Sangham, Sunday School, Yuvajana Sakhyam, and Senior Citizens Fellowship. The present Vicar, Rev. Binu J. Varghese, assumed charge on 1 May 2026 and, along with his family, continues to serve the parish — under the episcopal leadership of the Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Zacharias Mar Aprem Episcopa (who assumed charge in January 2024) — with dedication and commitment.

Present Day
What We Stand On

Our Heritage & Character

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Apostolic Roots

Our tradition traces back to St. Thomas the Apostle's mission to India in A.D. 52, making the Mar Thoma Church one of the oldest Christian communities in the world — a heritage we treasure and celebrate.

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A Bridge Church

Rooted in the ancient Malankara tradition yet renewed through the Reformation, the Mar Thoma Church is often described as a "bridge church" — preserving apostolic faith while embracing a value-based democratic administration.

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Community & Service

From seven prayer groups to charitable schemes such as Bethel Sanjivani and Bethel Jyoti, our 565 members live out a calling to love God and serve neighbour across Delhi-NCR.