Summary: Mar Thoma Syrian Church Bengaluru located at Primrose Road is an absolutely lovely wedding venue to shoot in. Built and dedicated in 1960, this church has been serving its’ Syrian Christian parish in Bengaluru for decades.
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
1 Corinthians 13:4-7
The Beginnings of the faith
Traditionally believed to have been founded in the year 52 AD, by Saint Thomas (Mar Thoma), one of the 12 disciples of Jesus Christ, and known by the name of the Apostle. It is believed that St. Thomas proceeded to the East coast of India spreading the gospel. According to Syrian Christian tradition, Thomas was killed with a spear at St. Thomas Mount in Chennai on 3 July 72 AD, and his body was interred in Mylapore. The Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar is one of the oldest denominations of Christianity.
“You may be surprised to learn that Christianity came to India long before it went to England or Western Europe, and when even in Rome it was a despised and proscribed sect. Within 100 years or so of the death of Jesus, Christian Missionaries came to South India by sea. They were received courteously and permitted to preach their new faith. They converted a large number of people, and their descendants have lived there, with varying fortune, to this day. Most of them belong to old Christian sects which have ceased to exist in Europe.”
Jawaharlal Nehru in his ‘Glimpses of World History’ (1934)
The History of Mar Thoma Syrian Church Bengaluru
The Bangalore parish’s history traces back to 1917. This is when Syrian Christians used to gather for worship and fellowship at the United Theological College (UTC) Bangalore. The Bangalore Mar Thoma Parish became a reality in 1945 with Rev. Philip Oommen (Most. Rev. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostom Valiya Metropolitan) as the first vicar. The Sunday worship service was then held at St. Paul’s Church near Bowring Hospital.
Rt. Rev. Dr. Alexander Mar Theophilos Episcopa laid the foundation stone for the present church building in January 1959. Thereafter, in January 1960, Most Rev. Dr. Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan dedicated the Church.
Weddings at Mar Thoma Syrian Church Bengaluru
The Knot in Frames has shot several weddings at this beautiful Church. It lends itself to an enigmatic presence and the marriage service [opens as pdf] is so beautiful. Much like St. Mark’s Cathedral and St.Patrick’s Church Bengaluru. We know the Church well. That makes us a safe bet to hire to shoot here since we are equipment ready for this place. Take a look at a wedding film we shot at this beautiful church.
Around MAR THOMA SYRIAN Church Bengaluru
The Church, much like other historical Churches of Bengaluru is located on Primrose Road, the centre of the Bengaluru Business District. As such there is no dearth for places to visit or hang out in before or after attending a wedding.
St.Patrick’s Church Bengaluru
St. Patrick’s Church on Brigade Road is Bangalore’s second oldest Church belonging to the Archdiocese of Bangalore. Located at the junction of Residency Road and Brigade Road, it is one of the oldest and most iconic Catholic landmarks in Bengaluru. It is another much loved wedding venue for Christian couples getting married in Bengaluru.
St.Mark’s Cathedral
St. Mark’s Cathedral, Bengaluru is one of the most iconic and historic Cathedrals in Bengaluru. Since it dates as far back as the the early 19th Century British occupation of Bengaluru. The cathedral has survived for nearly 200 plus years. It is just a few minutes drive from here. This is another much sought after wedding venue for Christian couples getting married in Bengaluru.
Cubbon Park
Cubbon Park is the heart of Bengaluru. Renamed as Sri Chamarajendra Park it dates back to the 19th Century. Originally created in 1870 under Major General Richard Sankey, then British Chief Engineer of Mysore State, it covered an area of 100 acres. It’s a lovely place to wander around.
Mahatma Gandhi Road Bengaluru
This was the heart of the Bangalore Cantonment. It used to be called the South Parade during British colonial times. You have access to eating places, movie theatres and shopping. Or just walk down the tree lined street to get a feel of what Bengaluru feels like.
Yes they do. Here is their official website: https://mtcblr.com/
They are open to the public for prayer between 7 am and 7 pm everyday.
47, Primrose Rd, Ashok Nagar, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560025
To Conclude
This Mar Thoma Syrian Church as a wedding venue is an absolute delight to shoot in for any wedding photographer/ wedding videographer. Do you have any stories to share? Anecdotes? Drop it in your comments below.
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