St.Thomas the disciple of Jesus Christ reached India in AD 52. He preached the gospel and transformed lives of many people and empraised Christianity. In different parts of Malabar (present Kerala) he formed many congregation. However due to unfavourable circumstances they were forced to migrate to other parts of the state. In 4th century AD they established a church in Kadampanad. In later years
people in Pandalam and surrounding area formed a congregation in Thumpamon in 1174 AD. As time passed people living in Manthuka and Kulanada, thought of building a church in their neighbourhood. But due to unfavourable conditions and the social scenario which prevailed at that time prevented us from establishing the church. Palakunath Mathews Athanasius was the malankara metropolitan. Due to his influence and the hard work, a permission was obtained to establish the church. In 1863 AD on the day of feast of St.thomas the church was consecrated in the name of St.Thomas the apostle. Every year July 12 is celebrated as the Parish Day. In 1899 people living in and around Ullannur established a new congregation and they part with the home parish. In 1914 few members of the church left the holy true faith of the church and they formed a congregation in Marthoma church. In 1955 people living in and around Karakad formed congregation under the holy faith. In short the St.Thomas Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church is the Mother Church of all churches in Kulanada,Manthuka, Ullannur,Karakkad,etc. Split in the church
The establishment of the Catholicate independent from the Holy Apostolic See of Antioch under the leadership of Vattasseril Divanyasius with the help of ex-communicated Abdul Messiah started a new sehism in Malankara Church. This group was later known as Metran Kakshi which is creating problems in the church till date. This split also affected Manthalir congregation. The two groups conducted separate worships on alternate Sundays. On other Sundays both groups used separate Chapels. But in 1958 peace was established and Metran Kakshi accepted the Holy Throne of Antioch as the supreme head of the Church. Hence in 1964 Patriarch H.H. Ignatius Yakob III ordinated H.G.Ougen Themothios as the Catholicos of Malankara church. But the peace didn’t last long. In 1974 erstwhile metran kakshi came with the throne of St.Thomas and denied the supremacy of Patriarch. They argued that Malankara Church is autocephalous and Patriarch has no power over Malankara Church. This was the beginnig of the present day problems in Malankara Church. The splint group owing allegiance to Metran kakshi started problems in Manthailir Church which led to the locking of the Church by the government authorities and still suits are continuing in the Hon. High Court of Kerala about the ownership of Church and Church properties. Even during this periods of persecution this congregation stood with the Holy True Faith and allegience with Holy Apostolic See of Antioch. In 1982 Manthalir Church was the host for the reception for H.H. Igantius Zakka I Iwas on behalf of Kollam, Niranam and Thumpamon Diocese. Patriarch also consecrated the Kurishu Pally in the name of St.Elias III the Patriarch of Antioch, at Manthuka. By God's grace and the intercession of St.Mary, St.Peter, St.Thomas and all other saints, the members of the church were able to protect the Holy True Faith and transferd it to the succesive generations.
