St. Mary's Knanaya Catholic Forane Church
San Jose

About our Church

With the permission of San Jose Bishop Patrick J. McGrath, Mar Kuriakose Kunnachery and Mar Mathew Moolakkatt sent Fr. Dominic Joseph from Kottayam diocese to start a Knanaya Mission in San Jose. Fr. Dominic Joseph arrived at San Jose on July 1, 2000 as the director of the mission and serving the diocese of San Jose as Parochial Vicar at St. Frances Cabrini Church. Rev. Fr. John Chennakuzhiyil took charge as its mission director on September 27, 2008. Rev. Msgr. Jacob Vellian became the director on October 11, 2009. When he retired from ministry on May 1, 2010, Fr. Stany Edathiparambil was appointed as the mission director on July 1, 2010. This parish bought a church at 324 Gloria Ave, San Jose, CA 95127. His Excellency Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath consecrated this church on March 24, 2012 in the presence of His Excellney Bishop Mar Joseph Pandarasseril, the Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Kottayam. Bishop Angadiath elevated the mission as a parish and appointed Rev. Fr. Stany Edathiparambil as its first pastor on the same day. Fr. Jose Illikunnumpurath was the second pastor from May 6, 2013. Fr. Pathrose Champakkara was the third pastor from October 18, 2014. Fr Mathew Meledath was the forth pastor from July 03, 2016. Fr Saji Pinarkayil is the fifth pastor from May 02, 2018. Fr. Jemy Puthuseril is the current forane vicar from September 23, 2023.

San Jose St. Mary's Knanaya Catholic Parish was declared as a Forane Parish of the St. Thomas Syro-Malabar Catholic Diocese of Chicago on February 18, 2015 by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath. The official establishment of the forane was held on April 19, 2015 by Bishop Mar Jacob Angadiath and inaugurated by Vicar General Msgr. Thomas Mulavanal on April 19, 2015 at St. Mary's Knanaya Catholic Church San Jose.

This parish bought a Rectory at 3450 East Hills Dr, San Jose CA 95127 under the leadership of Rev Fr Mathew Meledath. Solemn blessing of Parish rectory held on June 04 2017 by with his Excellency Bishop Mar Joseph Pandarasseril, the Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Kottayam.

This parish bought a Cemetry named "St. Mary's Knanaya Catholic church in association with KCCNC" under the leadership of Vicar Fr. Saji Pinarkayil and KCCNC President Vivin Onasseril.  The blessing of Cemetry held on Nov 19 2022 by with his Excellency Bishop Mar Joseph Pandarasseril. San Jose St. Mary's Knanaya Catholic Forane Parish Celebrated the 10th Anniversary March 27' 2022 to Nov 19,20' 2022 by with his Excellency Bishop Mar Joseph Pandarasseril, the Auxiliary bishop of the Archdiocese of Kottayam. Nov 19th Youth English Mass Main Celebrent by with his Excellency Bishop Mar Oscar Cantu San Jose Diocese. Knanaya Region Director Fr. Thomas Mulavanal,Our First Pastor Fr. Stany Edathiparabil and our Vicar Fr. Saji Pinarkayil are the Co-Celebrants. 

The parish has 237 Knanaya Catholic Families in Northern California.