Church History
St. James Syrian Orthodox Church — Past and Present
7 Conklintown Rd, Wanaque, NJ 07465
Timeline of Our Parish
The Parish is Conceived
Written in golden letters in the history of St. James Syrian Orthodox Church, June 17, 2007 marks the date of conceiving the birth of a new parish in the Malankara Archdiocese of the Syrian Orthodox Church in North America. The crucial steps in its formation were initiated by Mr. Mathews Mancha, Mr. Saju K. Paulose, Mr. Mathews Cheruthottil, Mr. Biju Kurian Mathews, Mr. Philipose Kavunkal, and Mr. Joji Philip.
Meeting with the Archbishop
A delegation met with H. E. Mor Titus Yeldho, the Patriarchal Vicar and Archbishop of Malankara Archdiocese of Syrian Orthodox Church in North America, and detailed the urgent need of establishing a new parish in Northern New Jersey. Mr. Simi Joseph, Mr. Bishu Paul, Mr. Punnoosekutty Jacob, and Mrs. Geethu Paul joined the venture. After prayerful deliberation, His Eminence decided favorably to establish a new parish after the name of St. James, the brother of our Lord Jesus Christ and first Archbishop of Jerusalem. Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Jacob was appointed as the first Vicar and President of the Parish.
First Holy Eucharist
The first Holy Eucharist at St. James Syrian Orthodox Church was celebrated by H. E. Mor Titus Yeldho. Mr. Thomas Vellarayil, Mr. Adarsh Nomula, Mr. Akarsh Nomula, and Mr. Eby Thomas joined the membership of the new parish. The weekly service has been conducted at the Knight of Columbus Hall in Livingston and the membership has been growing ever since.
A Church of Our Own
The parishioners were on the lookout to purchase a property and found an ideal location in Passaic County. With the approval and blessing of the Archbishop, the Church acquired a property of their own on March 11, 2013.
First Eucharist at New Property
The first Holy Eucharist was conducted at the newly acquired property on the Feast of the Annunciation to St. Mary on March 25, 2014.
Church Consecration
H. E. Mor Titus Yeldho consecrated the Church on June 20 & 21, 2014 in the presence of many clergy and faithful of the Archdiocese. Very Rev. Gheevarughese Thomas Chattathil Cor-Episcopos served as the Vicar and President of the Church and led the congregation at the time of consecrating the new Church building. Following families were the church members during the consecration of our new church. Fr. Akash Paul & family, Mr. Adarsh Nomula & family, Mr. Akarsh Nomula & family, Mr. Biju Mathews & family, Mr. Bishu Paul & Family, Mr. Eby Thomas & family, Mr. Eldho Varghese & family, Mr. Jacob Varghese & Family, Mr Kurian Skaria & family, Mr. Mewin Thomas & family, Mr. Paulose Paily & family, Mr. Punnoosekutty Jacob & family, Mr. Renju Zacharia & family, Mr. Simi Joseph & family.
Parish Life Today
The Church has a full-fledged Sunday School, St. Mary's Morth Mariyam Vanitha Samajam, St. Paul's Fellowship, MGSOSA Youth Association, Prayer Cell, and Charity. The cooperation received from all members and their wholehearted participation in all activities of the Church is commendable.
Feasts Celebrated in Our Parish
- Feast of St. Ignatius Elias of Manjanikkara, celebrated in the month of February every year.
- Feast of St. George, celebrated in the month of May every year.
- Feast of St. James (Main Perunnal), celebrated in the month of June every year.
- Feast of St. Mary, celebrated in the month of August every year.
- Feast of St. Baselious Yeldho (Kanni -20 Perunnal), celebrated in the month of October every year.
- Feast of St. Grigorios Geevarghese of Parumala, celebrated in the month of November every year.
Our Clergy — Past & Present
The Church remembers and is grateful to the first vicar Rev. Fr. Geevarghese Jacob, Very Rev. Geevarughese Thomas Chattathil, Very Rev. Punnoose Chaluvelil, Rev. Fr. Akash Paul, Rev. Fr. Rajan Peter, Rev. Fr. Joy John, Rev. Fr. Jerry Jacob, Rev. Fr. Vivek Alex, Rev. Fr. Faustino Quintanilla for their dedicated service.
Be Part of Our Story
7 Conklintown Rd, Wanaque, NJ 07465 — Holy Qurbana every Sunday at 10:00 AM