Our History

The Indian Pentecostal Church of God (IPC) Sreekariyam had a humble beginning as a small congregation at Kallampally near Sreekariyam, affiliated with the Trivandrum North Centre of IPC. It initially operated in a rented space on the first floor of Malieckal House near Kallampally. The formation of this church was the result of the dedicated efforts and prayers of believers residing in and around Sreekariyam.

Pastor T.C. Joshua, who was then ministering at the IPC Tabor, PMG junction, played a key role in this development by initiating several satellite fellowships in various parts of the city and its suburbs. Among the members of IPC Tabor were a few residents of Sreekariyam: Bro. T.V. Varghese (Pongumoodu), Bro. Jacob Rajan, Bro. T.M. George, and Sister Marykutty (who was the sole believer in her family at the time). Pastor Joshua frequently visited families in Sreekariyam and conducted outreach programs. Through his ministry, several individuals came to faith, highlighting the need for a local fellowship. IPC Tabor Church generously and prayerfully supported this new endeavor under Pastor T.C. Joshua's leadership. Thus, on November 8, 1981, IPC Sreekariyam officially began with eleven baptized members present at the first gathering. The first Sunday Service followed on November 15, 1981, attended by Bro. M. Thomas (Engineering College Appachan), Bro. T.V. Varghese (Kunjoottychayan), Bro. K.O. Jacob Rajan, Bro. T.M. George, Bro. Maniyan, Sis. Mariamma, Sis. Saramma, Sis. Marykutty, Sis. Annie, Sis. Salomi, and Sis. Ruslet. The Sunday School of IPC Sreekariyam commenced on December 6, 1981, with 30 children in four classes.

Pastor A.G. Jacob became the first minister of the Church on May 27, 1982. The first church committee was formed on June 20, 1982, comprising Pr. A.G. Jacob (Chairman), Bro. T.V. Varghese (Vice-President), Bro. T.M. George (Secretary), and Bro. Jacob Rajan (Treasurer). On November 30, 1982, the church moved to a new rented building behind the current KSFE Building, at a lower rent of ₹250. The first pastor, Pr. A.G. Jacob, was transferred to IPC Malayinkeezh on May 12, 1983, and Pr. K.Y. Samuel succeeded him as the new Pastor. Worship services were held every Sunday from 9:45 am to 12:30 pm, and Sunday School from 8:30 am to 9:30 am. PYPA, Public Meetings, and Cottage Meetings took place every alternate week from 4:30 pm. Fasting prayer was a regular Friday practice, and Bible classes were held on Saturday evenings.

Dr. Thomas Mathew (Udaipur) was the first distinguished guest to share the Word of God at a special meeting held on the rooftop of the faith home on June 10 and 11, 1983. The first monthly fellowship (Masayogam) under the auspices of IPC Sreekariyam was conducted on September 10, 1983, at the LPS Pongumoodu, with Pr. C.V. John (Punalur) as the chief guest.

The first fruit of the church was Bro. Boban George, who was baptized on January 14, 1983. Subsequently, Bro. Eliazar and Bro. Billy were baptized on October 8, 1983, followed by Sis. Deborah on October 16. As the congregation grew, the need for a permanent church facility became strongly apparent, leading to the formation of a committee on March 6, 1984. The committee consisted of Pr. K.Y. Samuel (President), Bro. P.O. Samuel (Convener), Bro. T.V. Varghese (Vice-President), Bro. T.M. George (Secretary), Bro. Jacob Rajan (Treasurer), Bro. M. Thomas, Bro. Varghese Samuel, Bro. Boban George, Sis. T.S. Saramma, Sis. Marykutty, and Sis. Annie. This committee was tasked with collecting funds from the believers for the purchase of land and the construction of a church building. During this period, Bro. Sam K. Zachariah, then a student at the College of Engineering, Trivandrum, joined the fellowship. The year 1984 began with the baptism of Bro. A. John on New Year's Day. September 5, 1984, marked a significant milestone in the church's history as the foundation for the church building was laid at the present site. In the same year, Bro. James George and his family also became associated with the church.

The second monthly fellowship (Masayogam) under IPC Sreekariyam was held at Paradise College on June 21, 1984, with Pr. P.T. Chacko (Kulakkada) as the guest speaker. A significant development occurred on April 27, 1984, when the Full Gospel Independent Church near Chavadimukku merged with IPC Sreekariyam, bringing Bro. George Samuel, Bro. Sreedharan Sukumaran, and Pr. Koshy Varghese along with their families into the church.

The Sister's Fellowship commenced on July 7, 1984, and has been meeting regularly every first Saturday from 3 pm. On September 23, 1984, worship services were moved to a new hall in Chavadimukku.

April 7, 1985, stands as a momentous day in the history of IPC Sreekariyam as the church began worshipping in its own building. The official dedication of the church took place on May 11, 1985, coinciding with the monthly fellowship led by Pr. T.C. Joshua. A Sister's camp was organized from October 21 to 23, 1985, featuring public meetings in the evenings where Pr. C.I. Cherian, Pr. K.C. Thomas, and Pr. K.Y. Samuel shared the Word of God. Two months later, a convention was held near Pongamoodu from December 5 to 8, with Pr. T.C. Joshua, Pr. Lazar V. Mathew, and Sis. Mary Kovoor ministering. Several new members were added to the church during this time. Sis. Leela and Sis. Valsala were baptized on January 27, 1985, followed by Sister Mini on February 15 and Sister Rosamma on September 29. Bro. Sukumaran testified to the Lord on December 29.

Pr. K.Y. Samuel was transferred to Malayinkeezh, and Pr. T.C. Joshua took his place at IPC Sreekariyam on June 1, 1985. On the same day, an independent church functioning at Sis. Lalitha’s house in Kallampally merged with IPC Sreekariyam.

The church hosted a one-day camp during the Onam vacation, and outreach programs were conducted at Pullukad, Sreekariyam, and Aniyoor. From November 26 to 28, a tarry meeting was held with Evg. T.T. Abraham and V.M. George ministering. Sisters Reji and Reni were baptized on November 29. Another significant event occurred on April 4, 1988, when the church purchased 5 cents of land at Malamukal near Nettayam for a cemetery. Notably, IPC Sreekariyam took the initiative in obtaining official government permission for the cemetery facility at Malamukal, which later paved the way for all other churches in Trivandrum to have their cemeteries at that location. The first VBS at the church was held from April 26 to May 4, 1988. A significant spiritual event was the tarry meeting conducted from June 16 to 18, where Pr. V.A. Joseph (Manganam) ministered, and twelve people received baptism by the Holy Spirit. Additionally, special Bible Classes on the topic of 'Prayer' were held from June 24 to 26 by Bro. Sam C Samuel of India Every Home Crusade. The PYPA meetings began on June 12, 1988, occurring every first and third Sunday from 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm. The church started four area prayer meetings from September 9, 1988. As part of the PYPA camp held at IPC Sreekariyam, house visits were organized from December 29 to 31. On June 21, 1989, a new outreach ministry named Coastal Fellowship was initiated under the leadership of Bro. T.V. Varghese, and Bro. Jacob Rajan was appointed as the Pastor of the fellowship at Shangumukham on December 10. Meetings and worship services were conducted there as an extension of IPC Sreekariyam Church. On September 29, public meetings were held at Edavacode, Randamchira, Manvila Colony, and Kulathur, and a Sunday School was also started at Manvila Colony under the leadership of Bro. Kamalasanan.

On May 15, 1992, Pastor T C Joshua was given a warm send-off after six years of pastoring, and Evg. Mathew Oommen was welcomed as the new Pastor of the Church in a meeting chaired by Pr. George Shasthri. Evg. Mathew Oommen received ordination on January 21, 1994, at the Kumbanad Convention.

On August 9, 2001, Pr. Mathew Oommen moved into a new parsonage by God's grace, and on March 10, 2000, land was purchased and registered for vehicle parking. On April 28, 2002, Pastor Mathew Oommen was transferred to Kuwait IPC after completing ten years of pastorship at Sreekariyam. He was given a warm farewell, and Pastor Koshy K. Mathew assumed charge on May 19, 2002. By June 2002, the construction of the new Church hall was completed, and Pr. Mathew Oommen attended the first meeting held in the new hall on June 30.

As a result of the Evangelism board meetings led by Bro. Sam Zachariah, new Bible Classes commenced at Pullukadu, Akkulam, and Kattayikkonam. Public Meetings were conducted during Easter and Christmas, and on Good Friday, April 9, 2004, the brothers and sisters of the Church distributed 5000 tracts by visiting houses in 15 groups. The church obtained a post box (P.B. 3520) at the Sreekariyam Post Office. The PYPA also started a new Library (Peniel Library), which continues to be a significant blessing.

On April 6, 2005, Pr. Koshy K Mathew was given a send-off upon his transfer to Dubai in a meeting chaired by Pr. T.C. Joshua, and Pr. Sunny Kuruvila was welcomed as the new pastor. In 2006, by God's grace, ten cents of land near the church were purchased. Following Pr. Sunny Kuruvilla, Pr. Sajimon V Cherian and Pr. Abey P. George served as pastors, and the current pastor is Abraham Oommen (Pr. Reji Mooledom). The establishment of a Hindi Fellowship meeting in 2010 marked a significant milestone in the history of IPC Sreekariyam. It began with a special Christmas program attended by approximately 250 North Indians, mostly laborers. This led to regular Sunday fellowship meetings in Hindi, which now average around 40 attendees. To the glory of the Lord, it is worth noting that six Hindi-speaking individuals have testified to their faith through water baptism so far. Dr. James George, Bro. Anil S., Bro. Johns Pappen, Dr. Mahima Sam, Bro. Sanu, and Bro. Rajesh, among others, provide leadership for the Hindi Fellowship.

Over the past 37 years, nine pastors have served at IPC Sreekariyam, and their dedicated work and guidance have contributed to the church's growth as it is today. God has added many believers each year, and numerous men of God have visited the church, proclaiming the Word of God for the edification and sanctification of the congregation. Fasting Prayers, Conventions, Evangelism efforts, and other activities continue to contribute to the Church's growth.