Our Parish History
1. The Beginning of the Mission
During the early 2000’s, many Syro Malabar families settled down around the Greater Washington area, including Maryland and Northern Virginia. In 2004, the Syro Malabar Catholic Mission of Greater Washington was initiated with Fr. Mathew Punchayil as the Mission Director. Holy Mass and services were held at Mother Seton Parish in Germantown, MD.
The first parish council was formed in February 2007 with Shaji Joseph Kottooran and Thomas Antony Puthussery as trustees of the mission. The Mission was registered as a corporation in March 2007, and in June 2007, the community moved to St. Rose of Lima Parish in Gaithersburg for worship and services.
2. Growth of the Community
On June 26, 2011, Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath created the St. Jude Syro Malabar Catholic Mission of Northern Virginia and appointed Fr. Joseph Elampara OCD as its Director. Syro Malabar faithful in the Northern Virginia area then became part of that mission.
In September 2013, a building committee was formed with Johny Alencherry as chairman and Jasmin Jose Thundathil, Manoj Mathew Kollamparambil, and James Paul Mandapathil as members. On September 27, 2014, Bishop Mar Joy Alappatt was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of the St. Thomas Syro Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago.
On September 20, 2015, the Greater Washington community moved to Visitation Parish in Darnestown, where Fr. Mathew was serving as Parochial Vicar.
3. The Journey Toward a Church of Our Own
During this period, the community strongly felt the need for a permanent Church of its own and organized many fundraising efforts, including car raffles, cultural events, and community programs.
On November 16, 2016, the Mission purchased land in Gaithersburg for the construction of a Church and began approaching banks for financing. At the time, Jasmin Jose Thundathil, Johny Alancherry, Davis Chalissery, and James Paul Mandapathil served as trustees, Manoj Mathew Kollamparambil served as building committee chairman, and Johnson John Kurichiel served as co-chairman.
On November 4, 2018, the community moved to the Mother of God facility in Gaithersburg for Holy Mass and CCD classes. Fr. Mathew Punchayil retired on December 1, 2018, and Fr. Roy Moolechalil was appointed as Mission Director.
On September 22, 2019, Bishop Mar Joy Alappatt presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for the new Church.
4. Building Through Faith and Sacrifice
The construction project faced many financial challenges. Several banks were initially unwilling to approve a loan because of the Church’s limited credit and income and the size of the overall project budget. Separate budgets were eventually created for site work and building construction, and through the support and intervention of parishioners, the Mission strengthened its financial position.
On April 30, 2020, the bank loan was sanctioned through Revere Bank, now merged with Sandy Spring Bank.
The project was made possible through the prayers, sacrifices, donations, personal loans, and sponsorships of parishioners. Trustees Manoj Mathew Kollamparambil and Thomas Abraham Theniaplackal, Project Coordinator Johnson John Kurichiel, the parish council, and building committee members played important roles in completing the project. The Church was also adorned with paintings by Jijo Joseph Pallickal, and funds raised through the sale of his paintings supported the construction.
Site work began on February 11, 2020, on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes, and actual building construction began on November 2, 2020, on the Feast of All Souls.
5. A New Church and a New Parish
On September 5, 2021, after the final Mass was celebrated at the Mother of God Community, parish members proceeded to the newly built Church for the installation of the Tabernacle. Parishioners placed their names and intentions beneath the Tabernacle as a lasting remembrance of the contributors, prayer warriors, and families who helped make the Church possible.
After nine months and four days of intense work supported by prayer, fasting, sacrifice, penance, and generous contributions, the Church was completed and dedicated on September 6, 2021, by His Excellencies Mar Jacob Angadiath and Mar Joy Alappatt.
On the same day, the Mission was elevated to the status of a Parish, and Fr. Roy Moolechalil was appointed as the first Vicar of the Parish.
We continue to grow as a community through faith, prayer, service, and the continued dedication of our parish families.
