St. Andrew’s Church, Secunderabad marks 75 years: A unique story of Syrian Christians Worship and faith

Hyderabad: West Marredpally holds a rare chapter in Hyderabad’s Christian history, one built on unity, service and an unusual ecumenical partnership.

As St. Andrew’s Orthodox Valiyapally (big church) celebrates its Platinum Jubilee, the parish looks back on 75 years of Syrian Christian worship in Secunderabad and a legacy that began as an unlikely experiment in shared faith.

A jubilee rooted in purpose

For the church’s leadership, the jubilee is not merely commemorative; it is a moment to reaffirm identity and direction.

“This Platinum Jubilee is not just about celebrating our parish’s journey but about honouring the vision of our forefathers who brought Syrian Christian worship to Hyderabad. We stand today as a beacon of faith, unity and service,” said Rev. Fr. Bino Samuel, Vicar.

“This jubilee is a call to continue building bridges across congregations and to serve society with compassion,” said Robin Wilson, Secretary.

“The story of St. Andrew’s is the story of resilience and faith. This jubilee is a moment to rededicate ourselves to the values of unity and service that have sustained us for 75 years,” said VJ Varghese, Trustee.

Beginning November 30, coinciding with the Feast of St. Andrew, the parish will launch a year-long calendar that includes:

• Medical camps and blood donation drives

• A youth sports meet

• A musical evening featuring all Malayalam congregations of Hyderabad–Secunderabad

• Expanded charity interventions

• Ecumenical gatherings across denominations

The theme, ‘Ecumenism and Charity,’ mirrors the values that shaped the parish from its earliest days.

A church born from unity: 1939–1951

The origins of St. Andrew’s are deeply ecumenical.

In 1939, Orthodox, CSI and Mar Thoma families in Hyderabad and Secunderabad formed a united Malayalam congregation. They worshipped at the SPG Chapel and later at the Scottish Church.

Today, the Orthodox and the Mar Thoma have churches in the same compound where the Scottish Church once stood.

This unity shaped every foundation stone of the parish. Even after administrative distinctions emerged, the ethos endured.

“One of the things that helped unity survive is mutual respect. Even today, no event is inaugurated in the Orthodox Church without the presence of the Mar Thoma Vicar. The same happens at the events in the Mar Thoma Church. It’s not uniformity, it is unity,” said Paul C Oommen, managing committee member, speaking to NewsMeter.

A turning point in harmony

In the early 2000s, when the land division between the Orthodox and Mar Thoma parishes reached a standstill, both metropolises agreed to leave the decision to a draw of lots.

“Both metropolises agreed that the draw of lots was God’s will. That grace set the tone for decades,” said EA Mathew, general convenor.

The result was peace, not rivalry. The compound continues to hold both churches side by side, a coexistence almost unheard of in India.

A historical timeline: From colonial chapel to Valiyapally

1865 – The Scottish Church (original St. Andrew’s) is built by the British for soldiers’ families in the Secunderabad Cantonment.

1948 – Post-Independence, it is handed over to the United Malayalam Congregation (Orthodox, Mar Thoma, CSI).

1951 – The Orthodox Parish is formally established with Rev. Fr. KK Mathew, later HG Mathews Mar Barnabas, as the first Vicar.

1955 – The St. Andrew’s Society is formed.

1958 – It is registered jointly by the Orthodox and Mar Thoma parishes.

1991 – Weekly Holy Qurbana becomes regular.

2002 – The colonial-era building is demolished and a new church begins construction.

2005 – The new church is consecrated, with holy relics of St. Gregorios of Parumala and St. Dionysius of Vattasseril installed. Rev. Fr. CI Isaac serves as Vicar during this transition.

The parish today includes nearly 400 registered families, alongside hundreds of floating believers, defence personnel, newcomers and travellers.

Regular spiritual engagements include:

• Friday evening Holy Qurbana

• Sunday morning Qurbana

• An English Qurbana every fifth Sunday

• Ten neighbourhood prayer groups

• Active wings: Sunday School, MGOCSM, Youth Movement, Martha Mariam Samajam, Senior Citizens Fellowship

A sanctuary beyond boundaries

The meditation room, open daily, attracts many non-Christian visitors.

“We see many Hindus come, sit, pray and leave notes of their burdens. Faith crosses boundaries here,” said Paul C Oommen.

Even the bells from the adjacent Ganesh temple blend into the compound’s rhythm, a reminder of everyday coexistence

The youth transition

While many parishes grapple with youth migration, St. Andrew’s has witnessed renewed participation.

“We’ve seen a remarkable transition. This jubilee committee itself has many members in their 30s. We didn’t have that during the 50th anniversary,” said John P George, General Convenor of the Platinum Jubilee.

Younger members lead:

• Quarterly youth conferences

• Inter-church sports events

• Worship nights and Bible sessions

• Community service initiatives

A new virtual reconnection programme will help youth settled abroad remain linked to their home parish.

A unique ecumenical compound

Few places in India have what St. Andrew’s has: two powerful denominations, Orthodox and Mar Thoma, sharing the same compound, facilities and neighbourly respect.

Parking, events, festival preparations, compound space and even challenges are handled jointly. The result is a quiet but robust model of Christian unity.

“It’s a relationship built over decades. If we protect it, the next generation will inherit something precious,” said Robin Wilson.

Looking toward the centenary

As the parish steps into its 76th year, the vision is clear:

• Stronger youth leadership

• Deeper inter-church unity

• Expanded charity

• Continued ecumenical cooperation

• Preservation of historical identity

“We hope to see stronger youth leadership and the same commitment to charity and compassion,” said VJ Varghese.

“They must remember to care, care for the elders, the needy, the parish and for each other. This community exists because someone cared before them,” said EA Mathew.

A living landmark in Secunderabad

Nestled between the Mar Thoma Church and the Ganesh temple, St. Andrew’s Orthodox Valiyapally (big church) has become a steady presence in West Marredpally’s religious landscape.

What began in 1939 as a united Malayalam congregation is now:

• A thriving parish

• A mother church

• A centre for charity

• A model of inter-denominational harmony

• A spiritual home for generations

The Platinum Jubilee stands as a reminder of what the co

mmunity has built through cooperation, humility, and shared responsibility.

Unity is not uniformity.

Legacy is built one act of service at a time.