Parish

Who We Are

Bethel Marthoma Church, Bedford is a welcoming parish of the Mar Thoma Syrian Church of Malabar, a reformed oriental church that traces its origins back to the apostolic mission of St. Thomas the Apostle in the first century. As part of this rich and historic tradition, our parish exists to nurture faith, fellowship, and service among the Malayali Christian community and beyond in Bedford and the surrounding areas.

We are more than just a church building—we are a family in Christ, united by worship, strengthened by community, and inspired to live out our faith in practical ways.

Our Heritage

The Mar Thoma Syrian Church is unique in its identity, combining the liturgical beauty of the Eastern Orthodox tradition with the spirit of Reformation. This heritage enables us to preserve the depth of ancient worship practices while also embracing relevance and accessibility for today’s believers.

At Bethel Marthoma Church, worship is both sacred and participatory. Our services are rooted in scripture, enriched by prayer and traditional liturgy, and uplifted through music and fellowship. This balance allows us to remain faithful to the past while being active participants in the present mission of the Church.

Our Diocese

We belong to the UK-Europe-Africa Diocese of the Mar Thoma Church, which unites parishes across three continents under one spiritual leadership. This diocese serves as a network of support, guidance, and fellowship, allowing us to connect with the global Mar Thoma community while continuing to grow locally.

Being part of this wider diocese strengthens our sense of identity and mission, reminding us that we are not only a parish in Bedford but also part of a much larger Christian family spread across the world.

Our Community

Our parish is a home for people of all ages and backgrounds. It offers a range of opportunities for spiritual growth, fellowship, and service:

Youth Fellowship

Encouraging young people to actively participate in the life of

Choir

The Choir is an essential part of worship at Bethel

Edavaka Mission

The Sunday School is a nurturing haven for children, guided

Sevika Sangham

The Mar Thoma Suvisesha Sevika Sangham, the women’s wing was

Yuvajana Sakhyam

Mar Thoma Youth League is the youth wing of the

Through these organizations, every member of our parish children, youth, adults and seniors finds a place to belong, grow and contribute.

Our Mission

At Bethel Marthoma Church, our purpose goes beyond weekly worship. As a parish, we are committed to five key pillars of Christian life:

Worship: Cultivating a meaningful and prayerful worship life centered on God’s Word.
Fellowship: Building a Christ-centered community that values relationships, care and mutual support.
Discipleship: Growing deeper in faith through study, teaching and spiritual formation.
Service: Extending compassion and support to the wider community through outreach and charitale work.
Witness: Living out our Christian values daily, serving as a testimony of God’s love in action.