The Church of South India (CSI) is a united Protestant Church in India. It is the result of union of four different church traditions brought together in the CSI; Anglican, Congregational, Presbyterian, and Methodist. All these churches had been established in India through the missionary work of churches in Europe, America, and Australia, which had started their work in India at different periods from the beginning of the 18th century. The Church of South India is a member of the Anglican Communion, World Methodist Council and World Communion of Reformed Churches.
The Church of South India (CSI) congregation in Belfast was started in 2008 by a group of CSI Christian believers across Northern Ireland hailed from the Malayalam speaking Christian community of Kerala, India. It was under the leadership of Rev’d Jacob Thomas who was searching for a venue to worship in. Our CSI worship model and relation to the Anglican Church was graciously recognised and accepted by the Rector Willie Nixon of Drumbeg Parish and approved by Bishop Harold Millar. That was the beginning of a relationship that stemmed from the partnership between the members of CSI church Belfast and Drumbeg Parish, many members based in Drumbeg started attending the Drumbeg Parish on Sundays.
This congregation named as “St Thomas CSI Church Belfast” named after the apostle who brought the gospel to India. St Thomas CSI Church is associated with the Drumbeg Parish Church and affiliated to the diocese of Down & Dromore. A licensed overseas congregation of CSI Diocese of Madhya Kerala, India and a registered charity in Northern Ireland (NIC107503) and recognised by HMRC.
The Congregation is currently ministered by Rev’d Sabi Mathew appointed and permission granted to officiate by The Rt Rev’d David Alexander McClay, Bishop of the diocese Down & Dromore. We as a congregation have some key moments when Bishop Harold Miller visited our congregation in May 2019 and then in April 2022 by Bishop David McClay along with Bishop Malayil Sabu Koshy, Bishop of CSI Madhya Kerala diocese on his pastoral visit. Apart from witnessing the faith the congregation also involves in the charity projects for the marginalised and disadvantaged sections of the people.
A sincere thanks to Rev’d Willie Nixon who has been instrumental in building and flourishing the relationship between our congregations and to the church wardens/committee of the Parish of Drumbeg to use the premises.
More information on the St Thomas CSI Congregation at Drumbeg can be found on our website:
