St. Joseph Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church in Redditch, UK, was established in December 2014 by the then UK Diocesan Metropolitan HG Mor Zacharias Philoxenos  as per the holy bull (No: EI 02/26 ) of the Patriarch of Antioch and all the East H H  Ignatius Aphrem II

 Rev. Fr. Jacob Komadathushery was the first vicar appointed by the Metropolitan, followed by various priests in different tenures.

 The church was instituted for the Syrian Orthodox Christian community to provide a spiritual home for members of the Malankara Syrian Orthodox Church in the region. The church’s foundation dates back to 2014 as mentioned above, when the growing number of Indian Christians, particularly those from Kerala, sought a place of worship that reflected their Syrian Orthodox traditions.

The church began holding services in various rented spaces before moving to the premises in Redditch, where it could now better serve the needs of the congregation. St. Joseph’s is dedicated to preserving the rich liturgical practices of the Syrian Orthodox tradition, with services conducted in Syriac, Malayalam, and English.

Over the years, the church has played a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community among the faithful, providing support and guidance through religious education, social gatherings, and cultural events. The church’s clergy is from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church in India, and its members maintain strong ties with other Syrian Orthodox communities worldwide. The church’s activities are not limited to religious worship but extend to charitable initiatives, including supporting local and international causes.

Through the efforts of dedicated volunteers and clergy, St. Joseph Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church has grown into a center for worship, learning, and community outreach. The church continues to uphold the teachings of the Apostolic Syrian Orthodox Church, which dates back to the early centuries of Christianity. Today, St. Joseph’s stands as a beacon of faith and unity for the Syrian Orthodox diaspora in Redditch and the broader UK community.

List of priests served in different tenure.

Rev Fr Jino Joseph (01/01/2015 – 31/08/2015)

Rev Fr Anish Kavalayil (01/09/2015 – 31/03/2017)

Rev Fr Eldhose Kaungampillil (01/05/2017 – 31/07/2017)

Rev Fr Phillip Thomas (01/08/2017 – 31/12/2021)

Rev Fr Eldho Rajan (01/01/2022 – 31/05/2024)

Rev Pradosh Padipparackal (01/06/2024 – 30/06/2024)

Rev Fr Alex Paul (31/07/2024 – 31/12/2024)

Rev Fr Eldhose Karukappillil (01/01/2025 – Present)

We pray that God will continue to bless them in their ministry and offer our sincere gratitude for their service to the church. As we travel together in faith, may our parish’s patron saint, St. Joseph, offer up prayers for them and our congregation.