St. Stephens Knanaya Catholic Forane Church

This mission was established on March 27, 1993 when Bishop Thomas Daily of Brooklyn diocese appointed Rev. Fr. Jose Saurianmakil as its director on March 27, 1993. The mission was officially inaugurated on April 17, 1993. Rev. Fr. Michael Nedumthuruthil was appointed as the Director in January 1999. Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Rev. Fr. Thomas Animmoottil as the director of the mission with effect from January 15, 2005. Rev. Fr. Thomas Pralel was appointed as the mission director and Rev. Fr. James Ponganayil as the associate director with effect from August 17, 2008. Rev. Fr. James Ponganayil became the mission director with effect from January 01, 2009. Fr. Jose Tharackal became the mission director from October 23, 2009. The mission bought at church building at 384 Clinton St., Hempstead, NY 11550 in January 27, 2012. The church was consecrated on November 24, 2012 by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath and first mass offered by His Grace Mar Mathew Moolakkatt. Mar Moolakkatt inaugurated the parish. Bishop Mar Jacob Angdiath appointed Fr. Jose Tharackal as the first pastor on the same day.

This parish was declared as a Forane Parish of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago on February 18, 2015 by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath. The official establishment and inauguraiton of the forane was held on March 28, 2015 by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath during a concelebrated Holy Mass at St. Stepeh's with Auxiliary Bishop Mar Joy Alappatt and priests of the forance.