This is an earnest attempt to recreate the history of the Church from 1981 to this Silver Jubilee year, 2006, solely based on the available Church documents. If we omitted some names or events, it was not on purpose, so please forgive us.
1981: A small group of Malankara Orthodox Church members gathered at Mr. George Malipurathu’s house on Oct. 3, 1981, as a prayer meeting lead by Rev. Fr. Koshy P John, Lousiana. A name for the Church was adopted as “St. Thomas Orthodox Church of Oklahoma.” Initially, the Congregation has 7-8 members and prayer meetings were conducted once a month. Rev. Fr. Koshy P. John and Rev. Fr. M. T. Philip conducted prayer meetings and services. The first visit to OKC by an Orthodox Bishop was in 1981 by H. G. Geevarghese Mar Osthathiose of the Niranam Diocese. The founding members are David Alunkal, K.M.Simon, Joy Philipose, T.S. Joykutty, Chandy Daniel, T.A. Thomas, George Malipurathu, and Thomas Kalayilparampil.
1982: American Diocesan Bishop, H.G. Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios, visited the Congregation in December and appointed Koshy Achan and Philip Achan to do services at least 4 Sundays per year, from 1983. Visit by Dn. John Kunnathusseril, Dallas during this year. Amy Malipurathu and Stacy Simon were baptized by Makariose Thirumeni during Dec. 1982.
1983: Sunday Services increased to 4 to 6 per year. Rev. Fr. C.O.Varghese, Houston, visited the congregation. Rev. Fr. M.T. Philip conducted prayer meetings and services.
1984: Diocesan Metropolitan recognized the Congregation as a Parish of the American Diocese, under the name of “St. Thomas Malankara Orthodox Church, Oklahoma,” and appointed Rev. Fr. Cherian M. Kunnel as the Vicar, in March 1984.
1987: Diocesan Bishop Mar Makariose visited in August to make decisions on the Church finance accounts.
1988: Contract was signed to acquire property at 708 N Rockwell, owned by Ruth Lake, for $40,000, as the site for our future church. John B Seilas negotiated the deal. A historic milestone begins here.
1989: On Jan. 26, 1989, the property deal for 708 N Rockwell was closed and we acquired the small buildings and the property. H. G. Thomas Mar Athanasius of Chengannur Diocese visited the new worship place at the property. Members pledged 4% of their net income for the Building Fund/General Body of April 16, 1989. New phone service installed at Church in Sept.
1990: IRS granted tax exemption status for our Church. Visit by priests: Very Rev. Kurian Thottupuram, Chicago, and Rev. Fr. M. T. Joseph, Kerala, visited during this year.