About us

Brooklyn Queens Long Island Knanaya Catholic Mission was established for all the Knanaya Catholics residing in Brooklyn Queens and Long Island on March 27, 1993 when Bishop Thomas Daily of the diocese of Brooklyn appointed Rev. Fr. Jose Saurianmakil as its director on March 27, 1993. The mission was officially inaugurated on April 17, 1993. Rev. Fr. Michael Nedumthuruthil was appointed as the Director in January 1999. Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Rev. Fr. Thomas Animoottil as the director of the mission with effect from January 15, 2005. Rev. Fr. Thomas Pralel was appointed as the mission director with effect from August 17, 2008. Rev. Fr. James Ponganayil became the mission director with effect from January 01, 2009. Fr. Joseph Tharackal became the mission director from October 23, 2009.

The mission bought a church building at 384 Clinton St., Hempstead, NY 11550 on January 27, 2012 under a strong leadership of the 26 Mission Council members led by Fr. Joseph Tharackal (Mission Director), Jose Korakudilil (Secretary), Shino Mattam (Finance Chairman), Abraham Pullanapallil (Finance Secretary), James Thottam (Trustee), Kuriakose Mekkattil (Trustee), Roy Koottunkal (Trustee), Alex Kavumpurath (Treasurer). The church was renovated and consecrated on November 24, 2012 by Mar Jacob Angadiath, Bishop of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago. Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Kottayam, India offered the first mass in the church and inaugurated the parish. Mar Jacob Angdiath appointed Fr. Joseph Tharackal as the first pastor on the same day.

The church was elevated as a Forane Church (Deanery Church) and the Vicar of the church Fr. Joseph Tharackal was made Forane Vicar, in New York on March 29th 2015 by Mar Jacob Angadiath at the presence of Mar Joy Alappat, (the auxiliary bishop of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago) and Rev. Fr. Thomas Mulavinal, (Vicar General, Knanaya Catholic Region, St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago). Now the church has a parish hall for parish gatherings blessed by Mar Joseph Pandarasserril, the auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Kottayam, India. There are class rooms for religious educations and a notable parking facility to accommodate more than fifty vehicles.

This mission was established on March 27, 1993 when Bishop Thomas Daily of Brooklyn diocese appointed Rev. Fr. Jose Saurianmakil as its director on March 27, 1993. The mission was officially inaugurated on April 17, 1993. Rev. Fr. Michael Nedumthuruthil was appointed as the Director in January 1999. Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath appointed Rev. Fr. Thomas Animmoottil as the director of the mission with effect from January 15, 2005. Rev. Fr. Thomas Pralel was appointed as the mission director and Rev. Fr. James Ponganayil as the associate director with effect from August 17, 2008. Rev. Fr. James Ponganayil became the mission director with effect from January 01, 2009. Fr. Jose Tharackal became the mission director from October 23, 2009. The mission bought at church building at 384 Clinton St., Hempstead, NY 11550 in January 27, 2012. The church was consecrated on November 24, 2012 by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath and first mass offered by His Grace Mar Mathew Moolakkatt. Mar Moolakkatt inaugurated the parish. Bishop Mar Jacob Angdiath appointed Fr. Jose Tharackal as the first pastor on the same day.

This parish was declared as a Forane Parish of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago on February 18, 2015 by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath. The official establishment and inauguraiton of the forane was held on March 28, 2015 by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath during a concelebrated Holy Mass at St. Stepeh's with Auxiliary Bishop Mar Joy Alappatt and priests of the forance.

With active participation of hundreds of families, the church runs smoothly and serves the faithful for their wellbeing in spiritual, religio and socio dimensions. Through the spiritual services received from this church, let us pray that this congregation of this church may grow to that level of spirituality, to meet the Heavenly Father in Heavenly Glory and receive His prepared place of solace.