Origin
But when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you will be filled with power
and you will be witness for me to the end of the earth”
Due to the economical development of Jacksonville, Florida, many companies
have migrated to here from other parts of the United States. Along with
those companies, many Malabar Christian families of various denominations
also migrated to Jacksonville. In the beginning, these families often
got together for prayer meetings in the residences of these families.
Members of this community often had to travel to either Atlanta or South
Florida to attend Worship Services.
In February 1997, members of the Marthoma denomination contacted Rev.
P. G Mathew of South Florida Marthoma Church to explore the possibility
of conducting a Malayalam Holy Communion Service in Jacksonville. Reverent
Achen accepted the invitation and came to Jacksonville on March 1, 1997
and conducted the first Holy Communion Service in the Residence of Alex
Varghese. Families of Various denominations with 33 members including
children attended the service. During the first service Achen urged
us to meet continuously and offered his service in the future. It was
decided to submit a request to the Diocesan Bishop to obtain approval
for our fellowship as a Congregation and get the service of one of our
Achens on a monthly basis.
Below is the list of the 8 founding families of the Jacksonville Marthoma
Congregation.
Alex Kurikes & Family
Alex Varghese & Family
Anand Kuruvilla & Family
Jacob Chacko & Family
Johny Johns & Family
Philip Varghese & Family
Suresh Varghese & Family
V.S. Mathew & Family
Non-Members
Alice Varghese & Family
Manny Varghese & Family
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