Beginning

With the coming of Rev. Thomas Norton in 1816, the CMS missionary work started in Alleppey, Kerala.Before that the Syrian Church existed in Kerala and believers joined such churches for worship.The purpose of CMS missionaries coming to Kerala was to work together with the Syrian Church.But some prevailing evil practices of the Syrian Church made the missionaries unhappy and to stop working with the Syrian Church and turn to gentiles - Independent missionary work.

Rev. Thomas Norton

Rev. Joseph Peet

In the year 1854, Puthuchira Ittycheria, a member of the Elanthur Syrian Church attended a Malayalam worship and he got a Bible from there, but he was not allowed to read it at his Elanthur Syrian Church.He informed the missionaries about this and decided to become a member of CMS.As a result Thombil Mathen, Malayil Tharian and Puliyelil Chummar led by Puthuchira Ittycheria went to Mavelikara and wrote a letter of intent to join the church after meeting Rev. Peet.Thus the first CMS Church was established in Elanthur with the help of Rev. Peet.As more families joined the Church, the Church was relocated to Kuzhikala, a more convenient place for all. As a result of the faithful work of the forefathers, the Church spread to places like Punnakad, Nallanikunnu, Prakkanam, Omallur and Mallassery.It is also worth noting that Puthuchira Ittycheria was a member of the Church council formed in 1869.

Kumplampoika Church

Around 1894 Puthuchira Itticheria's son Cherian Easow and grandsons P.I Cherian, P.J Skariah, Koshy Easow, Koshy Skaria moved to the forest land known as the land of kumbil trees or was also known as kumbhi(elephant), ulavum (walk leisurely), poika (pond or stream) - Kumplampoika - in search of agricultural land for cultivation and green pasture for their live stock.Meanwhile more and more believers from other Church divisions from neighbouring places like Maramon and Elanthur migrated to Kumplampoika.Inorder to safe guard them against wild beasts and elephants, the early settlers built huts on tree tops and spent nights in such shelters.One of such huts was built on a tree in the property of Sri P.K Cheriyan, Puthuchira Puthuparambil.

Our forefathers were believers as well as visionaries.In the absence of worship places, they used to gather under trees to worship on Sundays.Some believers used to go to the Carmel Marthoma Church, Vadasserikara but it was tiresome.The need for a school was also very strongly felt at this time. Therefore, the forefathers decided to build a Church and a school in Kumplampoika.So the leaders approached Rev. W.O Oommen, the vicar of Kuzhikala to organise for a Church worker in consultation with Bishop Gill.The matter was approved by the Bishop and thus Sri. P.C Oommen Padickamannil was appointed as the first Church worker in Kumplampoika.

In 1907 Kumplampoika was formed as one of the sub-parish under Kuzhikala.Rev. W.O Oommen served the Kumplampoika sub-parish from 1907-1916. On May 24^th, 1907 a plot of land was purchased for building Church and school and in the same year a thatched shed was built by the Church members for the above purpose.This was the first worship place.It was blessed by Sri. P.I Cherian, Puthuchira Puthuparambil.Among those who worked for this were Puthuchira Mannil Easow, Puthuchira P.J Skariah,Charuvil Geevarghese, Ettimoottil Yohanan, Prakkanam Church members, Omathakuzhy Peter, Malakottakal Thomas, Ambarathu Peter and Niravel Daniel.

In 1908, 35 cents of land was also purchased for cemetry. According to the 1918 Church register, Pastor P.M Cherian worked as a Church minister during that period.Messers K.V Mathew, C.V Koshy, T.M Mammen,M.J Titus, C.V Cherian, M.A Abraham, Rev. P.J Joshua helped by conducting worship till 1928.Kumplampoika was one of the 24 sub-parishes of Kuzhikala during the tenure of Rev. P.K Chandy.During the tenure of Rev. P.K Chandy,the old Primary School building was completed and made to fit the worship of more people to the size we see today.At that time the number of families had risen to 50.In 1921, it was decided to form Kumplampoika as a parish.

As the Church began to grow, sub-parishes in the eastern region were merged to form new parish with Kumplampoika as centre in 1928.Rev. Deacon M.V Pothen was the first Vicar.

The construction of the present Church started in 1947 and completed in 1957.Until then, the Sunday worship, Sunday school and other Church activities were conducted in the school.The eminent priests who served in this parish contributed to its steady growth and development in late years.

Initially Kumplampoika parish was in Elanthoor Vaideeka Jilla(District).In 1985 May 3rd, Elanthoor District was divided into two and Kumplampoika District come to existence and the inauguration was done by Rt. Rev M.C Mani Bishop in a meeting presided by the former Kerala Legislative Council Speaker Sri. V.M Sudheeran.

In 1996, 19 parishes belonging to different denominations in Kumplampoika and surrounding areas joined to form Ecumenical Christian Fellowship.A joint Christmas Carol service was conducted with various events during the past years.Various social service activities are being carried out by this organization.

It was during the tenure of Rev. Sabu K Cherian Achen that the magazine 'Edavaka Doothan' was started to inform the congregation of the important informations of each month in the Church.Family Sunday service was started during the tenure of Rev. Sabu K Cherian Achen.

It was during the tenure of Rev. Samji K. Sam Achen, the Church celebrated the centenary in the year 2007.With a view of 'one hundred blessings in the 100^th year', various assistance schemes and construction activities worth 20 lakh were achieved.

Mr. A.J Sony is now serving as the clerical assistant of the Church.His commendable service is an asset to the Church. Mr. T.S Moncy is now serving as the sexton of the Church.He has been working very diligently for more than 25 years.His father Late Mr. Samuel had also worked very diligently as a sexton of the Church for long years.

Being a Missionary Church, priority is given to Gospel work.

The Priests who led the Parish