How it all Began

The Mar Thoma community started out in Atlanta in the late 1970s as a small prayer group meeting in basement of individual members. The number of members steadily increased and the worship moved to rented spaces at local churches. The church also transformed from a congregation into the Atlanta Mar Thoma church. The 1996 Olympics in Atlanta led to a significantly larger influx of Mar Thomites, along with others, to the area. In the early 2000s, the Mar Thoma community purchased the Pike’s Nursery in Stone Mountain and converted it into a church. The church continued to grow as more people moved to the Atlanta area and a second church, The Hermon Mar Thoma Church was established in Lawrenceville, Georgia. Both parishes, the Atlanta Mar Thoma Church and the Hermon Mar Thoma Church continued to thrive but limited facilities and resources posed challenges to accommodate the growing needs of the two churches.

When news of the Mount Carmel Christian Church's property being put up for sale reached the faithful, a glimmer of hope emerged. Recognizing the opportunity for a larger space that could truly serve as a spiritual home for the community, the parishioners approached the Diocesan Episcopa, Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos. Aware of the financial constraints faced by the community, Thirumeni, with his wisdom and compassion, saw the potential for a groundbreaking solution that would unite the Diocese and the Church in a unique joint venture. The plan was simple; the two churches would unite and would acquire the Mount Carmel Christian Church property as a joint venture with the Diocese of North America and Europe. Two churches merging into one, to accomplish a much larger goal  was an unprecedented step within the Mar Thoma Church worldwide.

Undeterred by the daunting amount of money needed to acquire the Mount Carmel Christian Church, Philoxenos Thirumeni's steadfast belief in the power of faith and community emboldened him to formulate a plan to purchase this property. Thirumeni displayed his wise leadership by appointing a four-member committee to explore the feasibility of acquiring the property and turning the dream into a reality. First, he asked the committee to negotiate the price of the property and the committee successfully lowered it by forty percent! Second, Thirumeni was absolutely confident he could raise the funds to purchase the property but he needed a plan to sustain the property over time.The second mandate for the committee was toformulate a plan to sustain the property for years to come with its own revenue stream, without financial input from the Diocese. This decision embarked on a new financial model for the Mar Thoma Church, which challenged us to think beyond conventional boundaries and reimagine what could be achieved.The feasibility study committee attended Sunday worship at Mount Carmel Church. Following Thirumeni's wise instructions, they sought to understand the reasons behind the decision to sell and carefully explored the building's potential. Interestingly, with heartfelt transparency during the service, their Minister shared the challenges faced by their community, including a lack of financial capacity and a notable decline in membership. These struggles, in turn, led them to make the difficult decision to downsize and sell the property.After the worship, the team took the opportunity to meet with the Minister in person. Upon introducing themselves, they were pleasantly surprised to find he was familiar with the Mar Thoma Church and its remarkable mission activities. He also mentioned their mission, "Kumarakom Carmel Mission," in the Kottayam District of Kerala, India. The Minister admired the Mar Thoma Church's commitment to mission work and the transformative impact it had on the lives of those they served. Similarly, the team expressed their respect for the Mount Carmel Christian Church's dedication to their local community and its spiritual journey. This connection of shared values and missionary spirit deepened the dialogue between the Atlanta Mar Thoma Community and the Mount Carmel Christian Church.

After the positive feedback from the team, Philoxenos Thirumeni appointed top engineering and legal professionals in the area to delve into the challenges and possibilities of purchasing the building and property. They embarked on a thorough examination, leaving no stone unturned in their pursuit of understanding how this new venture could shape the future. In the meantime, a proposal was presented to the Diocesan Council, outlining the visionary plan to procure the land and property through a merger of two Mar Thoma parishes in Atlanta. The proposal also included the generous contributions from the community members, reflecting their unwavering dedication to making this dream a reality. Through candid conversations and heartfelt clarifications, a sense of collective purpose emerged. The historic decision to purchase the Mount Carmel Christian Church property was made by the Diocesan Council and the Diocesan Assembly with overwhelming acceptance, symbolizing the community's commitment to growth, expansion, and more profound missionary work.

Through dedicated efforts and sincere dialogue, the price of the property was reduced by forty percent, bringing the dream of acquiring the Mount Carmel Christian Church property within closer reach. The Mount Carmel Christian Church also recognizedThe Mar Thoma Church as the perfect custodian of the sacred space they had built over the years. The journey to acquire and transform the Mount Carmel Christian Church property culminated in a moment of profound significance. On September 24, 2018, the property officially came under the ownership of the Diocese of North America and Europe, marking the beginning of a new chapter in their spiritual odyssey.

In a display of utmost generosity and compassion, Thirumeni, Rt. Rev. Dr. Isaac Mar Philoxenos offered the Mount Carmel Christian Church to continue worshiping in the Church until they found their own space. Furthermore, during  this transitional period, the name board of the Church in the Campus remained unchanged; this act of kindness exemplified the Mar Thoma Church's commitment to love, understanding, and mutual respect, fostering a sense of unity among all those who gathered to worship within those sacred walls.

As December 29, 2018, approached, anticipation and excitement filled the air. On this momentous day, the Atlanta Mar Thoma Church and the Atlanta Hermon Mar Thoma Church merged into this new sacred space and Mar Thoma Church Atlanta was dedicated. The Carmel Mar Thoma Center, a space destined to become a beacon of hope, compassion, and enlightenment for the entire community was inaugurated. The inauguration of the Carmel Mar Thoma Center was a moment of great significance, marked by the presence and blessings of the late lamented Dr. Joseph Mar Thoma Metropolitan.

The acquisition and transformation of the Mount Carmel Christian Church property into the Carmel Mar Thoma Center was a collaborative effort fueled by the unwavering dedication of the Atlanta Mar Thoma Community and the support of the North America and Europe Diocese.The Carmel Mar Thoma Center stands as a reminder that when a shared purpose and vision bind hearts, the possibilities are boundless.

To secure the property, the two Mar Thoma parishes in Atlanta showcased their commitment to the vision by contributing 34 percent of the purchase of price of 5.9 million dollars for the property. Recognizing the significance of this endeavor and the importance of realizing the dream, the Diocese wholeheartedly joined in by providing the remaining funds required to complete the purchase. Donations and  loans from many individuals across the diocese supported the journey toward fulfilling the vision. The community's commitment to the Carmel Mar Thoma Center was evident not only in their financial contributions but also in their dedicated efforts, unwavering prayers, and countless hours of fundraising. Together, they poured their hearts and souls into building a spiritual haven that would radiate love, compassion, and faith.

Through this extraordinary effort, the Atlanta Mar Thoma Community and the Diocese etched a new chapter in the annals of the Mar Thoma Church. Their commitment to the Carmel Mar Thoma Center became a symbol of faith in action—an embodiment of the belief that when individuals and communities join hands, they can overcome any obstacle and achieve greatness.

The Carmel Mar Thoma Center is a sprawling sanctuary of faith and community, situated amidst 41.77 acres of predominantly wooded land, offering a serene and tranquil atmosphere for all who visit. With an impressive total of over 112,000 sq. ft. of buildings, this magnificent center has been crafted to accommodate a multitude of activities and gatherings. At the heart of the center stands a grand sanctuary designed to host large conferences and worship services. With a seating capacity for more than 2000 attendees in comfortable pew-style arrangements, it becomes a space where hearts and souls unite in prayer and reflection. The center boasts a fully functional school spread across two floors, encompassing 36 classrooms. Here, the spirit of learning flourishes as students immerse themselves in knowledge and exploration. A fully-fledged cafeteria caters to the nourishment of both body and spirit. It becomes a gathering place for fellowship and camaraderie, where bonds are forged over shared meals and conversations. The center provides ample space for administrative operations, with eight individual office rooms and cubicles. This organizational structure supports the efficient management of various activities and initiatives. Two leadership conference rooms offer a dedicated space for strategic planning and decision-making. Here, visionary ideas are discussed, and paths to a brighter future are charted. For more intimate gatherings, a wedding chapel graces the center, providing seating for 200 guests. This sacred space becomes a witness to the unions of love and commitment that bind hearts together. An indoor gymnasium adds a touch of physical activity to the center's offerings. With a full regulation-sized basketball court and bleachers, it becomes a venue for friendly competitions and team spirit. The gymnasium also houses two practice basketball courts, a volleyball court, and four badminton courts, catering to sports enthusiasts and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle. For those who enjoy outdoor activities, the center offers a well-maintained baseball field with floodlights, where the thrill of the game can be experienced under the stars. An outdoor pavilion invites individuals and families to enjoy picnics and bask in the beauty of nature. It becomes a place of relaxation and rejuvenation, where cherished memories are created. With ample parking space for 940 vehicles, the center warmly welcomes visitors from near and far, extending its embrace to all who seek solace and spiritual enrichment.

Like a jewel nestled against the colossal quartz monzonite dome, the center stands as a symbol of learning and culture. As the center's doors open wide, it extends an invitation to all to experience its magnificence and be a part of the profound legacy it carries forward.