St. Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church , Pimpri

T. MARY’S ORTHODOX SYRIAN CHURCH LAXMI PARK, VIJAY NAGAR, KALEWADI, PIMPRI, PUNE 411 017 Phone Number :8380880910 BRIEF HISTORY Earlier, the Orthodox Families residing in Pimpri and Kalewadi area used to go to St.Thomas Orthodox Syrian Church, Khadki to attend the Holy Qurbana. During the tenure of Rev. Fr. Joshua John as Vicar of St. Thomas OSC, Khadki, he took keen interest to make Chapels in three areas viz. Chinchwad, Bhosari and Pimpri (Kalewadi). In order to construct a Chapel in Pimpri, a small plot measuring approx. 4000 sq.ft. was purchased at Kalewadi, Pimpri in the year 1995 and the foundation stone for the Chapel was laid at the blessed hands of Late H.G. Dr. Philiphose Mar Thiophilus, Metropolitan of Mumbai Diocese assisted by H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos, Assistant Metropolitan of Mumbai Diocese in the presence of Rev. Fr. Joshua John, Vicar of St. Thomas OSC, Khadki on 7th of April 1996. Thereafter the construction work of Chapel started under the able supervision of Rev. Fr. Joshua John and the Hon. Managing Committee Members of St.Thomas OSC, Khadki. The work completed in the year 1998 and the Chapel was temporarily consecrated by Rev. Fr. Joshua John and was opened to the faithful for worship. Almost all our Orthodox families residing in and around Pimpri and Kalewadi area kept coming to the Chapel for worship. After a long period there was an eager urge by the members residing locally, to transform this Chapel into a full fledged Parish. This urge was put forth before the parental Church (St.Thomas OSC, Khadki) General Body Meeting held on 24th June 2012 under the presidentship of Rev. Fr. Benjamin Stephen. The General Body unanimously accepted the proposal and decided to upgrade the Chapel to an independent Church with the permission of Diocesan Metropolitan. The decision was forwarded to Diocesan Metropolitan H.G. Geevarghese Mar Coorilos for due consideration. On October 2012 the Diocesan Metropolitan issued a decree bearing Kalpana K-73/2012 dated 10th October 2012 declaring St. Mary’s Orthodox Chapel of St. Thomas OSC, Khadki as an Independent Church known as St.Mary’s Orthodox Syrian Church, Pimpri under the direct administration of Mumbai Diocese w.e.f 1st November 2012