About St. Thomas JSO Church

Dear Believers in Christ,

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Embarking on this incredible journey has been a testament to the power of faith, community, and unwavering determination to turn dreams into reality. We, Biju P Varghese, along with my wife Shilpa Biju and our beloved daughter Maria Varghese, invite you to join us on the remarkable voyage that led to the establishment of St. Thomas JSO Church on the outskirts of Bangalore.

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Our story begins in the soil of a humble agricultural family. In 1999, seeking new horizons, we ventured to Bangalore and sowed the seeds of a business that would sustain our dreams. Little did we know that amidst the bustling city life, a sacred vision would take root in our hearts—a dream of building a small church dedicated to Saint Thomas, the Apostle of India.

The pursuit of this dream faced its first challenge in 2014 when St. Ignatius JSO Church in KR Puram sought to extend its congregation to the Hoskote area. With the guidance of Rev. Fr. Jerry Kuriyan, we scoured the landscape, visiting numerous places in and around Hoskote in search of the perfect plot. Despite our best efforts, the right place eluded us, leading us to shelve our dream temporarily.

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A divine intervention occurred when HG Isaac mor Osthatheos assumed the position of the Bishop of the Bangalore diocese. His visionary plans for more churches and headquarters resonated with our aspirations. Our member, Reji Philip, expressed his wish to contribute to the diocese, and he shared his plan to establish a center for the Bishop in Bangalore. It was during this discussion that I also shared my long-term dream of building a church for our Jacobite church community.

In 2020, right after the first wave of Covid, our quest to find a suitable plot for our church resumed. Despite facing setbacks, we decided to trust in divine timing, confident that God would provide the right place for worship.

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Early in 2022, an unexpected turn of events unfolded. A friend's family approached us, offering a piece of land for our church. What seemed like a routine transaction revealed itself as a divine plan, as the same land had been unavailable when we initially inquired. Consulting with our Thirumeni and other respected individuals, including our parish priest Rev. Fr. MU Poulose Mangalath, we confirmed that this was the chosen location   for our church, to be named after Saint Thomas the Apostle.

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After navigating through the complexities of documentation, we laid the foundation stone on June 17, 2022. An unexpected delay in starting construction did not dampen   our spirits. On July 29, 2023, with the support of our community, we, along with KR Puram vicar Rev. Fr. Paulose, ratified our plan and sought divine blessings at the construction site.

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The generosity of KR Puram church member Mr. Bijoy John and his father John Mathew uncle ensured that our dream would be realized at a minimal cost. Groundbreaking took place on August 5, 2023, marking the beginning of a rapid construction phase. The consecration date was set for January 26, 2024, a momentous occasion eagerly awaited by our community.

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 "For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."  — Matthew 18:20  

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During the apostolic visit to India, HH Moron mor Ignatius Aprem II graciously agreed to perform the koodasha, adding an extra layer of significance to our journey. Our Diocesan bishop's frequent visits to the construction site, prayers, and valuable   suggestions have been guiding lights, reinforcing our belief in the divine plan.

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On November 14, 2024, a significant milestone was reached as our bishop blessed the main door frame, symbolizing the sanctification of our sacred space. As of December 30,  2023, major civil work is complete, and the painting phase is in progress.

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We eagerly anticipate the culmination of this journey on January 26, 2024, at 5 pm, when we will welcome His Holiness along with Malakara Metropolitan HE Joseph mor Gregorius, Diocesan bishop HG Isaac mor Osthathios, and several other bishops to bless St. Thomas Church. Thank you for allowing us to share the incredible journey of St. Thomas Church.

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May God bless each one of you.

With faith and gratitude, Biju, Shilpa and Maria