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(973) 328-7386 Randolph, NJ
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Est. 1981 · Randolph, NJ

Our Parish

A community of faith rooted in apostolic tradition, Reformed by the Spirit, and called to shine in the heart of New Jersey.

Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey — Parish Community

Our Identity

Rooted in Apostolic Tradition, Alive in New Jersey

The Mar Thoma Church of New Jersey is a congregation of the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church — a church that traces its origins to the apostle Thomas who came to India in AD 52. We are a Reformed Orthodox church, shaped by the 1836 renewal movement that sought to return to Biblical faith while honoring our ancient liturgical heritage.

Our parish was officially inaugurated in April 1981, serving the growing Malayali Christian community in Morris, Somerset, and Passaic counties. We are a parish of the North America Diocese under the leadership of the Metropolitan.

  • 01

    Worship in Tradition

    The ancient West Syriac liturgy brought alive through the Holy Qurbana each Sunday.

  • 02

    Fellowship for Every Generation

    Eight active ministries from Sunday School to Senior Fellowship.

  • 03

    Mission Beyond Our Walls

    Edavaka mission outreach to our neighbors and beyond.

Parish at a Glance

Founded April 1981
Building Dedicated October 4, 1997
Address 790 State Route 10 West, Randolph NJ 07869
Phone (973) 328-7386
Email info@njmarthoma.org
Diocese North America
Holy Qurbana Sundays 9:30 AM
English: 1st & 4th · Malayalam: 2nd & 3rd
Sunday School Sundays 11:30 AM

Our Mission

Lighted to Lighten

Matthew 5:14 declares, "You are the light of the world." The motto "Lighted to Lighten" captures our calling — we have been lit by the light of Christ, and we exist to lighten the world around us.

From Randolph to the ends of New Jersey, this is our calling: to be a people of light — in our worship, in our service, in our daily lives. The parish was founded with this mandate, and every generation of our congregation has sought to live it out faithfully.

"You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden."

Matthew 5:14

Our Emblem

The Five Symbols

The Mar Thoma Emblem has five symbols enclosed and held together in a heart-shaped boundary. Every symbol has a meaning and a purpose.

Mar Thoma Church Emblem

The Mar Thoma Church Emblem

1

Motto — "Lighted to Lighten"

The role of the church is to spread the good news of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Every believer and member of the Mar Thoma Church should take up the responsibility to lighten others — hence our motto.

2

Cross

The Syrian Cross at the center — also called the St. Thomas Cross — stands as the heart of the emblem. It represents Christ crucified and risen, the foundation of all Christian witness. The cross rests on the lotus, symbolising the church rooted in the soil of India.

3

Wheel

The wheel encircling the cross represents the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19–20): "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations." It symbolises the outward movement of the Gospel and the church's call to mission.

4

Lamp

The oil lamp (kuthuvilakku) is the visual embodiment of the motto "Lighted to Lighten." As Jesus declared in Matthew 5:14–15, a lamp is not placed under a bowl but on a stand, where it gives light to everyone in the house.

5

Lotus

The lotus flower represents India — the land where the church was born through the ministry of St. Thomas the Apostle in AD 52. Rising pure from the water, the lotus reflects the church's identity: rooted in India, yet reaching upward in faithful witness.

Our Roots

The Mar Thoma Church

The Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church traces its origins to AD 52, when St. Thomas the Apostle brought the Gospel to the shores of Kerala, India. For nearly two millennia, these ancient Christians maintained a distinct Eastern tradition rooted in the Apostle's own witness.

In the 19th century, Abraham Malpan — a deacon and reformer — was moved by the Spirit to bring the church back to biblical foundations. His reforms, inspired by the Protestant Reformation, led to a renewed church: evangelical in spirit, reformed in doctrine, and catholic in structure — the Mar Thoma Church.

Today, with over 1.6 million members across Kerala, India, and the global diaspora, the Mar Thoma Church continues the apostolic mission: Lighted to Lighten.

Full Church History →
  • AD 52
    St. Thomas the Apostle

    The Apostle Thomas arrives in Kerala, India, planting the first Christian community on Indian soil. The "St. Thomas Christians" carry forward his witness for centuries.

  • 1836
    The Reformation Begins

    Abraham Malpan, a reformer of deep conviction, translates the liturgy and initiates sweeping reforms to align the church with Scripture, sparking a renewal movement.

  • 1888
    Mar Thoma Church Established

    Thomas Mar Athanasius is consecrated as the first bishop of the reformed church, formally establishing the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church.

  • 1947
    Diocese of North America

    With Indian Christians migrating to North America and Europe, the church establishes the Diocese of North America to serve the global Mar Thoma community.

  • Today
    A Global Witness

    The Mar Thoma Church has over 1.6 million members in Kerala and around the world, witnessing to the ancient faith renewed — evangelical, ecumenical, and missional.

Our Heritage

A History of Faith in New Jersey

From a small prayer group to a vibrant parish of 100+ families — forty-four years of God's faithfulness.

Our Heritage

Founding Pioneers

We are immensely grateful for our Church Pioneers — the founding members who planted this congregation and gave their lives to build it.

C Thomas
Chacko Mathew
Easo Daniel
K. K. Zachariah
Mammen Thomas
Mathew John
Ravi Alexander
A. Abraham
Andrew Pappachen
C.G. Abraham
Daniel Varghese
Eapen Abraham
Eapen Varghese
Geevarghese Thomas
George Abraham
George Philip
George Zachariah
John Mathew
M. C Alexander
O. A. Abraham
Phillipose Oommen
Poikail J. George
Ponnachen Chacko
Roy Thomas
T. E. Chacko
Thomas Abraham
Thomas George
Thomas P. George

Serving Beyond Our Parish

Our Parishioners in Diocesan Leadership

Members of our congregation who serve the wider Diocese of North America.

RG
Mr. Reji George
Diocesan Council Member

Diocesan Council Member (2026–29), representing the parish in the governance of the Diocese of North America.

NB
Mrs. Noby Byju
Diocesan Council Member

Diocesan Council Member (2026–29), Diocesan Sevika Sangham Secretary (2023–26), Diocesan Sevika Sangham Treasurer (2020–23).

AT
Dr. Alex Thomas
MTVEA Diocesan Assembly Member

MTVEA Diocesan Assembly Member (2026–29), MTVEA Diocesan Secretary (2017–20), MTVEA Diocesan Treasurer (2014–17).

BV
Mr. Byju Varghese
Diocesan Council Member

Diocesan Council Member (2023–26), serves the parish's voice in diocesan governance.

EG
Mrs. Elizabeth George
DSMC Assembly Member

DSMC Assembly Member (2014–17), contributes to the diocesan assembly's work.

Our Faith

What We Believe

Scripture

The Word of God

We hold the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as the inspired Word of God and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and practice. The Bible is our rule and guide.

The Nicene Faith

Historic Christian Faith

We affirm the Nicene Creed and the historic faith of the Church — the Trinity, the Incarnation, the Resurrection, and the hope of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The Holy Qurbana

The Sacred Eucharist

The Holy Eucharist (Qurbana) is central to our worship — the sacred meal through which we proclaim the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ and receive His grace.

Come, Belong to This Parish

We welcome all — families, individuals, seekers. Join us any Sunday and experience the warmth of our community.

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