Mar Thoma diaspora communities have contributed richly in elevating the Mar Thoma Church from within the boundaries of India to a worldwide church. The presence of the Mar Thoma community in the UK can be traced back to the early 1950s, mainly consisting of students and a few who came in search of employment.
Regular worship in London started in 1957 — recognised as the first Mar Thoma congregation in the western hemisphere. In April 2007, the Golden Jubilee of the Mar Thoma Church in the UK was celebrated, with the Archbishop of Canterbury Most Rev. Dr. Rowan Williams as chief guest, and Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma Metropolitan presiding over the meeting.
Since its humble beginning more than half a century ago, the Mar Thoma Church has steadily grown and now has 10 parishes and several congregations worshipping across the country, under the Diocese of UK, Europe & Africa.

The Mar Thoma community in Liverpool is relatively new. In 2003, around 10 Mar Thoma families came together and started worship at St. Cyprian’s Church, Edge Lane, under the leadership of Rev. K. V. Cherian, Vicar of St. John’s Mar Thoma Church, Hounslow. The wholehearted support of St. John’s Mar Thoma Church was instrumental in establishing the community in Liverpool.
The Liverpool Mar Thoma Community functioned as a prayer group of St. John’s MTC before attaining parish status as Carmel Mar Thoma Church in 2007. We gratefully remember Rev. David Lewis and the congregation at St. Cyprian’s who opened their doors and warmly welcomed us.
When St. Cyprian’s closed in 2006, we moved to St. Mary’s (All Saints), which has since become our home. Our heartfelt gratitude to Revs. Mike Coates and Phil Saltmarsh and the parishioners of All Saints for their continued support. Carmel Mar Thoma Church is a registered Charity and a member of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland. We come together to praise and worship every Saturday at 4pm, primarily in Malayalam with occasional English services.

The Mar Thoma Church defines itself as:

Headquarters: Thiruvalla, Kerala. Over 1 million adherents worldwide. The present Mar Thoma Metropolitan is the Most Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma.

The Mar Thoma Church is in full communion with the Church of England. A concordat was agreed upon in 1961 establishing communion between the two Churches, following a commission appointed in 1957. The Lambeth Conference declared full acceptance of the ministry and communion relationship. Former Archbishop of Canterbury Dr. Rowan Williams visited Kerala in October 2010 to participate in the celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Reformation in the Church.

Started in 1895, the Maramon Convention is renowned as Asia’s largest Christian gathering. Meticulously organised every year by the Mar Thoma Church on the sand bed of River Pampa in Kerala, millions attend with devotion and commitment. Former Archbishops of Canterbury Most Rev. Dr. Robert Runcie (1986) and Most Rev. Dr. George Carey (1995) have blessed the convention with their messages.