About our Church

History of the Melbourne CSI Church

On 17th September 2011 thirteen CSI families came together for an initial discussion at St James Anglican church Dandenong to discuss the need of CSI congregation in Melbourne. Response was overwhelming , out of 13 families 12 said yes to CSI formation.

On 8th October 2011 eighteen of CSI families joined again and formally endorsed the formation of CSI congregation in Melbourne. The group of believers then elected Mr Anand Varghese as the President , Ashok Varkey as the secretary and Justin Israel as the treasurer of the newly formed CSI congregation. Melbourne CSI congregation found its first place of worship at Uniting church in Endeavour Hills

On 4th December 2011 Arch Bishop Dr Philip Frier led the first official service of Melbourne CSI at Mitcham Anglican church . Later the CSI congregation worship place has been moved to Mitcham Anglican church . The constitution of the Melbourne CSI was then drafted which envisaged pastors coming in turns from all the Malayalam speaking dioceses in Kerala which is a remarkable step in the ecumenical and uniting witness of the Church of South India.

On July 2012 Melbourne CSI congregation received its first Vicar Rev Jobby John from Madhya kerala diocese. Melbourne CSI received his service for a period of 18 months.

Melbourne CSI congregation and its leaders were always in touch with Anglican diocese for a mutually beneficial arrangement. In Early 2013 Melbourne CSI congregation being offered a place of worship and vicarage at Ashburton for no cost in return of the pastoral services from Melbourne CSI following a series of discussions under the leadership of late Bishop Barbara Darling.

On January 2015 in the absence of any vicar, Rev Thomas Korah being appointed as the interim pastor for a period of 6 months .

The coming of Rev. Vinod Victor as Priest in Charge in May 2015 ushered in a vibrant phase in the life and witness of the church. The partnership with the St. Matthews congregation, which had dwindled in numbers, grew across time and it pleased the Archbishop in Council to declare it a Parish again with two worshipping congregations. A Memorandum of Understanding between the CSI, the St. Matthews and the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne was signed during the 2016 Carol service and the partnership has evolved as a wonderful working model for multicultural ministry in the Diocese of Melbourne.

Our congregation hosted the first national CSI Family Conference in September 2018 and has been major presence in the national life of the CSI Congregations in Australia. Our members have served in various positions of CSI leadership nationally.

During the tenure of Rev. Kurian Peter from May 2018 the church moved towards finding a suitable property as future parsonage and use it as an investment in the interim.

We remember with gratitude, all the outstanding clergy who has led us.  The Rev. Joby John, the Rev. Dr. Vinod Victor and the Rev. Kurian Peter served as Vicars.  We also remember with gratitude, the Rev. Thomas Korah who provided leadership on an interim, serving the Congregation.

Rev Bijumon Joseph is our current Vicar and was appointed in May 2023. He continues to contribute tremendously to the building of the church alongside a group of very committed Christian families.

Vision Statement

To truly be the body of Christ, light and salt and be the church people enjoy being part of where Jesus Christ is preached as the Lord and Saviour.

Our Objectives

Key Questions

How do we make church relevant and meaningful trans-generations in the fast moving and rapidly secularising Australian context?
How do we make worship in the multi cultural context meaningful encounters with the divine?

Setting of the Objectives

The role and responsibility of a Malayalam congregation in Melbourne in ensuring

• Meaningful worship
• Relational Fellowship
• Relevant Service
• Practical Witnessing
• Visible Unity

As we have many Malayalam Christian congregations the impact of MCSI needs to be carefully and constantly studied and reviewed. To set the objective at the early stages will help us to shape the plans for the future. How will we be different from other similar groups will have to continuously define our objectives.

Priority

Children and Youth gives us an important dimension to the development of churches. Continual presence of youth in our church will determine the success of this endeavour. On the flip side the absence of youth from our worship sessions will surely be the sign of a fading congregation. Effective planning will sustain youth and thus life in the church.

Church in the Public Domain

Can our church have a definite Christian say in the social issues in our communities and take a definitive ethical position?

Can we be an active member in the ever slowing down Christian conversions?

Melbourne CSI Church has to have its rightful place in the ecumenical scenario of Victoria and that of Australia.

Melbourne CSI Church also should affirm its responsibility towards fellow Christians all over Australia and we need to seek ways of supporting their formation into viable congregations transcending feelings of diocesan and denominational barriers.

Rev Bijumon Joseph