Church History

From the early sixties, a few of the families belonging to the CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese who were residing in Delhi felt the need to have the worship services conducted in their own mother tongue in the CSI liturgy and made various attempts for it. Whenever the CSI Bishops and senior Achens from Kottayam visited Delhi these members met them and pleaded for accepting the demand. However, nothing happened till the middle of 1969 when the then Bishop of Madhya Kerala Diocese, Late Rt. Rev M.M. John was approached by this group during his visit to Delhi and he responded positively. After his return, he deputed the Late Very Rev. I.C.Kurian to Delhi for a month to study the feasibility of organizing such a congregation and its viability. For four Sundays he conducted the CSI Malayalam worship services at the Lady Hardinge Hospital Chapel. On the basis of his recommendation, the then Bishop deputed Rev. K.C. Chacko as the first Pastor of the congregation. The Bishop of CNI Delhi Diocese was apprised of the developments and his consent for this venture was obtained. It was informed that the Pastor as well as the congregation would be under the administrative control of the Diocese of Delhi.

Thus a humble beginning was made in September 1969 by starting regular CSI Malayalam Worship Service on Sunday Mornings at the Lady Harding Hospital Chapel. There were hardly 40 to 45 families and there were some individual members.

The congregation grew in number and by the time it celebrated Silver Jubilee in 1994, there were about 170 families and 40 individuals as members.

Construction and Dedication of Immanuel Church
From the very beginning, it has been our ambition to have a church of our own. The Diocese of Delhi was very kind on our request and earmarked a plot of land for the Delhi Malayalam Congregation in 1995. Accordingly, DDA has allotted a plot at Mayur Vihar Phase-I Extension as per the application of Delhi Diocese.

Milestones
10th March, 1998 - Physical possession of the plot of land was taken over. On 27th September, 1998 - The then Bishop Rt. Rev. Karam Masih laid the foundation stone of Immanuel Church.

30th November, 1998 - Earth breaking ceremony and prayer was conducted by Rev. Raju Mathew, Pesbyter, Delhi Malayalam Congregation in the presence of Rev Dr. K.G. Daniel.

14th November, 1999 – Dedication of Immanuel Church.

The construction of the Church was completed in a record time of 11 months under the leadership of Rev. Raju Mathew. The Immanuel Church was consecrated and dedicated for the Glory of God on 14th Nov. 1999 by the then Bishop Rt. Rev. Karam Masih, in the presence of Rt. Rev. Pritam B. Santram, Mrs. Sheila Dikshit, Hon'ble Chief Minister of Delhi and Rev. Raju Mathew, Presbyter and clergy from many Churches and many other dignitaries.

For a congregation of about 200 middle class families, constructing a church costing Rupees 40 lacs was a task of gargantuan proportions. But "nothing is impossible with God" (Luke 1:37). All the members of Delhi Malayalam Congregation contributed whole heartedly to complete the construction of Immanuel Church through prayer and monitory help. CSI Members of Bangalore, Bombay, Kuwait, Dubai and Sharjah also contributed for the construction of the church. During their personal visit to USA, Mrs & Mr. A.C. John collected Rupees 2.75 lacs from relatives and friends. Some non-Christian friends of Mr. John P. Koshy from Punjab also contributed 3 lakh rupees for this purpose. We cannot forget the leadership of Rev. Raju Mathew and services rendered by members of Delhi Malayalam Congregation especially Mr. K.M. Mathew and Dr. George Samuel. The contractor was Mr. Sabu T. John and architect was Mr. Ranjit P. John, both of whom have done an excellent job in creating this beautiful church. C.N.I. Delhi Diocese has been with us as always at various time of the construction of the church.

Malayalam Congregation members from Trans Yamuna area are worshipping in Immanuel Church since its dedication. Pastors are being deputed by the Bishop of CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese. In its meeting held on 18th and 19th August, 2000, CNI Delhi Diocesan Council has accorded the status of a full-fledged Pastorate to Immanuel Church and it has been growing ever since. Presently, there are about 80 families and a few individuals as members.