Fifteen years ago, our dedicated members embarked on a journey of spiritual migration, seeking worship services in various churches across Auckland. In 2002, the visionary Dr. Kuruvilla Mathew, hailing from Perth, Australia, recognized the pressing need for a Mar Thoma church in this region, despite the presence of only 12 known Marthomite families in Auckland. His dream materialized when the esteemed Rt. Rev. Dr. Zachariah Mar Theophilus Suffragan Metropolitan became the first Bishop of the Mar Thoma Church to grace New Zealand’s soil, presiding over the inaugural Holy Communion Service in the Mar Thoma tradition on November 14, 2002. Driven by his inspiration, other Syrian churches also sprouted across the country.

With Thirumeni’s arrival, our own vibrant worshipping community took root in Auckland. In 2004, we gained official recognition as a congregation when Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philexenos Episcopa visited as the Diocesan Bishop. From that point forward, our worship services followed the Mar Thoma order.

In January 2005, the then-Metropolitan, the Most Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostam, bestowed his approval, granting us the status of a parish named St. Thomas Mar Thoma Church, Auckland. The responsibility of shepherding our parish was entrusted to Rev. Dr. Varghese Mathai, the vicar of the Sydney church. He diligently visited Auckland quarterly to conduct Holy Communion and other essential services, with visiting priests from Melbourne and Singapore also lending their spiritual support.

On September 7, 2005, our parish received official incorporation with the Ministry of Economic Development in New Zealand, and on June 30, 2008, we registered with the Charities Commission New Zealand. In 2006, our Diocesan Bishop, Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius Episcopa, visited Auckland and recognized the need for a resident vicar within the parish. Impressed by the enthusiasm of our parishioners, Thirumeni took a special interest, leading to the appointment of Rev. Raji Eapen as the first resident vicar of our church.