On the banks of the Pamba River, near the Erapuzha Bridge in Kallissery a small hamlet in Chengannur, stands a historic stone pier at the Attukadavu landing. Above it sits a sturdy, two-story wooden mansion known as the Kallissery Kadavil Kulipura Malika. This iconic building is the birthplace of the Mar Thoma Gospel Preaching Group.
**Roots of the Reformation**
The lineage of this house traces back to the aftermath of the Koonan Kurish Satyagraha (the Coonan Cross Oath). Following that event, members of the Malankara Syrian Church migrated from Kaduthuruthy and Kochi to the shores of the Pamba. Among them was the Chembakasseril family, which included Rev. Abraham Kassissa, the vicar of St. Mary’s Knanaya Church.
Father Abraham’s friendship with CMS missionaries and Mathews Mar Athanasios Thirumeni drew him toward the ideals of the Reformation. The Kadavil mansion became his sanctuary—a place dedicated to prayer, rest, and reflection.
**A Community Forged in Faith**
During the Reformation of the Malankara Church, the reformist community was small and materially poor, having lost significant legal battles regarding church properties. However, their spirit remained unbroken. Their deep prayer life, devotion to the Word of God, and commitment to holiness sparked a spiritual awakening. Inspired by the charismatic meetings of foreign missionaries, they felt a divine urge to share the Gospel.
**The Dawn of Reformation**
In the second half of the 19th century, the Malankara Church, which had existed in Kerala for centuries, received a “new light” with the arrival of the Church Missionary Society (CMS) missionaries in Travancore. With the permission of the Metropolitan, these missionaries visited parishes to preach the Gospel.
In 1826, Benjamin Bayley established the CMS Press in Kottayam and began publishing the Holy Scriptures in Malayalam. This accessibility to the Word of God inspired many priests to seek a spiritual revival. This movement led to a formal Reformation within the church, led primarily by two seminary teachers: Abraham Malpan of Palakkunnath, Maramon, and Geevarghese Malpan of Kaithayil, Puthuppally.
**Resilience Amidst Legal Challenges**
In 1889, following the Royal Court verdict regarding the “Old Seminary” in Kottayam, the Reformist community faced significant losses. While the churches of Kozhenchery, Maramon, and Mallappally were awarded in full, the properties in Chengannur, Thalavady, and Kurthamala were granted only in part.
Although the Mar Thoma community had become a minority and lost much of its material wealth, they did not despair. Their interest in the Word of God, their fervent prayer lives, and their commitment to a life of holiness sparked a spiritual awakening. People were led away from superstition and immorality toward a renewed life through faith in Jesus Christ. This transformation attracted others, and as believers began reading the Bible for themselves, they understood the essence of the Gospel more deeply. It was in this environment that the Gospel preaching group was born.
**The Historic Meeting at Kadavil Malika**
Valuchirayil Avirachan Adhikathi (son of Kallissery Abraham Achan and a disciple of Abraham Malpan) was a young man of great spiritual zeal. After hearing a sermon by the missionary Baring-Gould in Mavelikkara, Avirachan dedicated his life completely to God. He shared his experience with those close to him, and it became a blessing to many.
Realizing that personal testimony alone was not enough, Avirachan sought a more organized mission. After praying, he shared his vision with:
• Yohannachan of Kottureth, Chengannur
• Cherian Adhikathi of Chakkalayil, Puthenkavu
They informed Thomas Kassissa of their interest in meeting at the mansion. They also visited Mathaichan of Edavammelil, Eraviperoor, to discuss appointing and educating full-time Gospel workers. Under the leadership of Valuchirayil Avirachan, a small group began praying together and sent invitations to 30 people to discuss the future of their mission.
**The Historic Meeting: September 5, 1888**
On the 22nd of Chingam, 1064 (September 5, 1888), 12 dedicated men gathered at the Kallissery Kadavil mansion under the leadership of Rev. K. T. Thomas Kassissa. The 12 founding members were:
1. Rev. K. T. Thomas Kassissa
2. Valuchirayil Avirachan
3. Ottaplamoottil Kunjumman Mathu
4. Arangattu Philippose
5. Chakkalayil Cherian Upadesi
6. Idayaranmula Kochumannil Scaria
7. Chengannur Kottureth Yohannan
8. Kallooppara Azhakanal Thommi
9. Chengannur Nathaniel Upadesi
10. Kallissery Chembakasseril Mathu
11. Eraviperoor Edavammelil Varkey Mathai
12. (A dedicated soldier/lay leader among the 11 spiritual leaders)
They sang hymns, read the Bible, and prayed together. By 4:00 PM, they resolved to form a group for evangelism. It was decided that the group would meet six times a year, with members contributing toward expenses. They also requested the Supreme Head of the Church, Thomas Mar Athanasios Metropolitan, to officially approve and name the group.
**Formal Recognition and Growth**
The second meeting was held on November 1, 1888 (1st Vrischikam, 1064 M.E.), at the Eraviperoor Library under the chairmanship of Yakob Kassissa. During this meeting, the Metropolitan’s decree was read, officially naming the group the “Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Christian Gospel Preaching Society” and granting it his blessing.
Edavammelil Mathaichan was elected as the first Secretary, and a constitution was drafted. The group was later registered as a limited company on February 11, 1904, under the Travancore Regulation Act. What began as a small gathering of 12 men in a wooden attic has since grown into one of the most influential missionary movements in India.
