Hyderabad: For generations of Malayalee Syrian Christian families in Hyderabad, the Ascension Mar Thoma Syrian Church has been more than a place of worship — it has been a community anchor and a link to their roots in Kerala. One of the oldest Malayalee Syrian Christian churches in the twin cities, it will celebrate its 75th anniversary this weekend.The church’s history mirrors the migration of Malayalee Christians to Hyderabad after Independence. Many who arrived in the 1950s and 1960s came to the city in search of work, said church committee vice-president Eapen Joseph. Many had studied only up to Class 10, but their English education helped them find jobs in railways, public works, administration and other government departments. “The women were largely in nursing, and a good number of our people were teachers. Many others joined the public administration, the military, public sector undertakings and other government services,” he said.Joseph said the community grew further with the establishment of institutions such as South Central Railway and the Survey of India, which drew Malayalees working elsewhere in the country to Hyderabad.Before the church had its own premises, worshippers gathered in borrowed churches in Ramkote and Secunderabad for Malayalam services. As the community expanded, the need for a dedicated place of worship grew stronger. Land for the present church was purchased in the 1960s and the first structure was built in 1964. It was later rebuilt at the same location in 2014 to accommodate the growing congregation.The parish now has around 150 families, with members travelling from Tellapur, Appa Junction, Dammaiguda, Uppal and Chandrayangutta. Across Hyderabad and Secunderabad, the Mar Thoma community comprises about 800 families spread across four churches. Newer generations are now represented across software, business, education, healthcare and public service.As part of the 75th anniversary celebrations, the church will host a musical programme, Masa, on Saturday, followed by a special service on Sunday. Community member Varun Thomas said the Masa production draws on Biblical stories while engaging younger members of the congregation. “The idea is to celebrate 75 years here while passing the torch to the next generation and answering why church and community continue to matter,” he said.
