South Indian Christians in North America.
1978
ECUMENICAL FELLOWSHIP OF SOUTH INDIA
In November 1974 the Rev. C. S. Philip started an Ecumenical service, using the CSI liturgy, at All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 4550 North Hermitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60640.
All Saints’ Episcopal Church, 4550 North Hermitage Ave, Chicago, IL 60640.
The Rev. C. S. Philip
The Rev. C. S. Philip was born at Kuzhikala, Kerala State, India, after Socio religious activities in Shertalai, Alleppey, Manganam, Alwaye, Crangannore and other places. He graduated with a B. A. degree from U. C. College, Alwaye of the state University of Kerala, India. He taught in the CMS English High School, Kuzhikkala, prior to his higher education in U. S. A. WHEN DID HE COME TO AMERICA?
The Rev. C. S. Philip, Kochamma (Annamma) and family were a major help to everyone who migrated to Chicago. Most Sundays, Kochamma brought lunch for the whole church. Achan provided help with GED classes for the newly arrived members who wanted to prepare for the RD examination. Achan also taught many members how to drive a car and even helped them to move from one place to another. Achan and Kochamma became local guardians for many families.
Initially there were two CSI families who participated in the service: Jacob and Sosamma Mathews and Varghese P. John (Thampy) and family. Other members included: Samuel and Suseela Johnson, Abraham (Kunjappan) Parepeedikayil, Kunjumol from Malankara Syrian Catholic Church, Sunny and Monie Mathew, Mathew and Marykutty Kuriakose from Roman Catholic church, T. P. Mathew and Kamalamma, Gracy Mathew, and P. J Mathai and family from Marthoma church, Samuel James from Tamil Nadu, John (Babu) and Lelitha Mathew, Jesudas and Rachel, M. G. Cherian and Chinnamma, Mathew and Thangamma Karottu, George and Kamalamma Verghese, Dr. George and Mary George, Babu M. Philip, Johns T and Annie Mathew. Some of the other members are Joly and Babu, Dr. A.K. Mathew and Dr. Lilly Mathew, his brother George Mathew, Dr. Thomas and Elizabeth Thomas
We had the first CSI baptism service in Chicago at this church on August 18, 1979. We started the Christmas serenading this year. During that time George Verghese (Bobby) was attending the service and started a choir.
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After couple of years the Rev. Dr. K. K. Koshy came to Chicago as a student in a seminary and visited this church many times. later on, the Rt. Rev. K. K. Cherian and Rev. Dr. Ninan Mathew came for their higher studies in Chicago. Very often both of them attend our worship service.
We had the first CSI baptism service in Chicago at this church on August 18, 1979. We started the Christmas serenading this year. During that time George Verghese (Bobby) was attending the service and started a choir.
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After couple of years the Rev. Dr. K. K. Koshy came to Chicago as a student in a seminary and visited this church many times. later on, the Rt. Rev. K. K. Cherian and Rev. Dr. Ninan Mathew came for their higher studies in Chicago. Very often both of them attend our worship service.
We had the first CSI baptism service in Chicago at this church on August 18, 1979. During that time George Verghese (Bobby) was attending the service and started a choir. We began Christmas caroling during that time.
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​A few years later, the Rev. Dr. K. K. Koshy followed by the Rev. Dr. K. K. Cherian and Rev. Dr. Ninan Mathew came for their higher studies in Chicago. Very often they both attend our worship service.
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The Rt. Rev. T.B. Benjamin, the Bishop of CSI North Kerala Diocese, acknowledge and sent a Congratulating letter to the Rev. C. S. Philip for starting this Ecumenical worship service in Chicago. On a letter head of the Diocese of North Kerala Letter No. 18/76 dated 5th January 1976.
“I am glad that the fellowship you stated is progressing and that you have started worshipping in an Anglican Church. I wish and pray that this congregation will grow in Grace.”
Rt. Rev. T. B. Benjamin’s a letter to
The Rev. C. S. Philip
4640 N. Sheridan, Apt 1210
Chicago, IL 60640.
The Rt. Rev. T. S. Joseph the bishop of the Central Kerala Diocese visited the Ecumenical Fellowship of South India in June 1978. Most Rev. N. D. Ananda Rao visited the church in April 1979. Rt. Rev. Sunder Clarke, Bishop of Madras Diocese visited in August 1980.
1978
FIRST CONFERENCE
The Rev. C. S. Philip organized the CSI National Conferences. The first conference was in Chicago. These conferences were long before the formation of the North American CSI Council and even before the current Family and youth Conferences.
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Sitting L to Rt.: Rev. K. S. George (Dallas), Rev. C. S. Philip
(Chicago) & Rev. E. P Vijayan (St. Louis)
Standing L to Rt.: Jacob Mathews (Chicago), Rev. Jacob George Houston, John John (Houston), Samuel Johnson (Chicago) &
Rajan Mathew (Dallas)
PARTICIPANTS
1979
THE SECOND CONFERENCE IN HOUSTON
Some of the participants are Back Row: Jacob Mathew (Chicago), Rajan Mathew (Dallas) John John, A. M. Abraham, Abraham Mathew and Mathew Jose (Houston) Front Row: Samuel Johnson and Rev. C. S. Philip (Chicago), Rev. K. S. George (Dallas) and Rev. Jacob George (Houston).
NEWS LETTERS
News letter Volume 1, No.2
No. 1 is missing.
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Other pages of the above issue is damaged..
Meanwhile, other denominations like Marthomite, Orthodox and Catholics started their own services. CSI members also liked to have a CSI church. Because of other Denomination members were still at the Ecumenical Fellowship of Indian Church, it was not fair to change the church name to a CSI church. so, CSI members had a meeting on March 11, 1984, and decided to start a CSI service on March 18, 1984, at the Lake View Lutheran Church, 835 W. Addison St., Chicago, IL under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Ninan Mathew and Rev. Dr. K. K. Cherian. The CSI Members named the Church as "THE CSI CONGREGATION OF GREATER CHICAGO".
