From a small prayer group to a flourishing parish serving Syro-Malabar Catholic families across West Yorkshire.
St Mary’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Mission Leeds began with a few families, a shared faith and a desire to pray together.
Over the years, that small prayer group grew into a vibrant parish community united by Holy Qurbana, catechism, fellowship and service.
More than two decades of prayer, perseverance and God’s abundant grace.
St Mary’s Syro-Malabar Catholic Mission Leeds had a very small beginning in 2002. A few Christian families from Kerala formed a prayer group and began meeting regularly each week.
The community grew to include six local communities across West Yorkshire.
Priests including Rev. Fr Babu Appadan, Rev. Fr Mathew Choorapoikayil and Rev. Fr Saji Thottathil celebrated Holy Qurbana for the communities until the appointment of a permanent Syro-Malabar chaplain.
Rev. Fr Joseph Ponneth arrived in 2012 as the community’s first permanent Syro-Malabar chaplain. His arrival began a period of rapid and well-coordinated growth.
Holy Qurbana was celebrated in each community at least once a month, and catechism classes were established throughout the communities.
On 18 October 2015, the Right Reverend Marcus Stock, Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Leeds, allowed the Syro-Malabar community to gather at St Wilfrid’s Catholic Church in Lower Wortley for its regular liturgical services.
St Wilfrid’s Presbytery also became the residence of the Syro-Malabar chaplain. Since then, Holy Qurbana has been celebrated every Sunday and on weekdays in the Syro-Malabar Rite.
Syro-Malabar Holy Mass in English was introduced for children, alongside a thriving catechism school with more than 200 students and 36 teachers.
The community also developed an active Syro-Malabar Youth Movement and Women’s Forum.
In July 2016, Rev. Fr Mathew Mulayolil succeeded Rev. Fr Joseph Ponneth as chaplain.
On 28 July 2016, the Catholic Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain was erected. The Syro-Malabar faithful in Leeds became members of the new Eparchy, with Mar Joseph Srampickal appointed as its first Bishop.
On Sunday, 9 December 2018, Major Archbishop George Cardinal Alencherry, then Father and Head of the Syro-Malabar Church, declared SMCC Leeds a Syro-Malabar Mission during his visit.
The declaration took place in the presence of Mar Joseph Srampickal, Bishop of the Catholic Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain.
By the grace of God, the community was able to purchase the church from the Diocese of Leeds.
On 28 November 2021, Mar Joseph Srampickal, Bishop of the Catholic Syro-Malabar Eparchy of Great Britain, erected St Mary’s and St Wilfrid’s as a Syro-Malabar Catholic Parish.
The parish was erected in the blessed presence of the Right Reverend Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds.
From a handful of families gathered in prayer to a parish united in faith.
Today, our parish continues to celebrate the faith and liturgical heritage of the Syro-Malabar Church while welcoming and serving families throughout West Yorkshire.
We gather around the altar, nurture children and young people in faith, support families and carry Christ’s love into our homes, workplaces and neighbourhoods.
