About Us
OUR HISTORY
St.Thomas the apostle also called ‘Didimus’ meaning ‘twin’ was one of the apostles of Jesus Christ. He is best known for questioning Jesus' Resurrection after death when first told of it, which was followed by his confession of faith “My Lord and My God”. St.Thomas the apostle arrived in the Kerala state of India in AD 52. He arrived by sea to the port of Malankara, the present Kodungallur in Kerala. He preached the word of God and established Churches at seven places. St.Thomas after his fruitful ministry in the Malabar Coast crossed over to the eastern parts of South India where also he had many converts and then on he moved as far as to Malacca and China. Later returning to India he came to Chennaipattinam or Madras. Being infuriated by his growing popularity, he was chased by the higher castes and took shelter in a cave near Little mount which is the present Guindy in Chennai and when he was about to be captured he escaped from that place through a hole on the roof of the said cave and took shelter in the shrine which he had built on the top of the St.Thomas Mount, Parinkimalai in Tamil. His pursuers caught up with him there and speared him into death while he was clinging on a cross inside the said shrine. Later his followers took his slained body and buried him on the seashore at Santhome in Mylapore, Chennai.
At the St.Thomas day celebration at New Delhi organized by the Malankara Orthodox Syrian church on 18th December 1955, Dr. Rajendra Prasad, the President of India made the following observation in a speech “Remember St.Thomas came to India when many of the countries of Europe had not yet become Christians and so those Indians who traced their Christianity to him have a longer history and a higher ancestry than that of Christians of many of the European countries”. Christianity in India is as old as Christianity itself. Thus the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church founded by Apostle St.Thomas in AD 52 is one of the oldest Churches with a rich legacy and tradition. His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Malankara Metropolitan and Catholicose of the East is the successor to this throne of St.Thomas and the head of the Malankara Orthodox Church.
St.Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Broadway is the first parish of the outside Kerala diocese and is considered to be the mother of all parishes. To have a parish of their own on this sacred soil is a great achievement for Orthodox Christians. This parish was originally built by the British government as a garrison for British soldiers and with the permission of the Anglican Bishop, the members started to share this church and the first Holy Eucharist was started in 1960. The first congregation consisted of 16 members. In the year 2016 this Cathedral celebrated its centenary. From a 16 member congregation this cathedral has grown tremendously into a big parish including Chapel at Mylapore and Pilgrimage centre on St. Thomas Mount. Presently there are more than 11 independent parishes in Chennai and almost all parishes can trace its origin to St.Thomas Orthodox Cathedral. It was a deep desire of the members of St.Thomas Orthodox Cathedral to start an education institution to enlighten the society and St.Thomas Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Broadway was established in 1958 under St.Thomas Syrian Cathedral Education and Charitable Trust. After serving society through this school, it was decided to start a college for Arts & Science.
The St.Thomas College of Arts and Science was established in 1999 as a co-educational institution which is governed by the St.Thomas Orthodox Syrian Cathedral Parish Trust of St.Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Broadway. The Patron of our college is His Holiness Baselios Marthoma Mathews III, Catholicose of the East and Malankara Metropolitan. The founder Chairman was His Grace Dr. Yakoob Mar Irenios and the present Chairman is His Grace Gee Varghese Mar Philaxenos, Metropolitan of the Diocese of Madras of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.
The college is governed by its board of trustees and administrated by its executive headed by His Grace Gee Varghese Mar Philaxenos-Chairman, Rev.Fr.Anish Mathew-Vice Chairman, Mr. Biju Chacko-Secretary, and Mr. Alex Abraham-Treasurer.
Dr. Rev. Francis Soundararaj (1999 - 2002) as its first Principal laid the successful foundation of this institution under his able leadership. The College was started under his guideship with 5 courses (B.Com., BCA, B.Sc. Computer Science, B.Sc. Visual Communication & BBA) affiliated wit the University of Madras. The second principal Dr. (Mrs.) S. Teresa Jane assumed office as principal in 2002. She was the principal of our college from 2002 - 2003. Dr. (Mrs.) Hemalatha Sundara Kumar was the third principal of our college from 2003. The college became a Post Graduate institution in 2003 with the introduction of M.Com., M.Sc. (Computer Science) & M.Sc. (Visual Communication). Many new courses such as B.Sc. Maths, B.Sc. Electronic Media & B.Sc. Psychology was introduced during her tenure. Prof. Mr. Avaram Abdul Hakeem, the fourth principal of our college held office for one year (2005 - 2006) . During the period two sections were introduced to B.Com., BCA and BBA courses. The fifth Principal Dr. S. Mathuram Selvaraja assumed charge as principal in 2006. He introduced many clubs such as the organization for Social Justice, Green Club, Women Upliftment Club, Consumer Club & Staff Club. He guided the institution for 3 years (2006 - 2009). Dr. C. Selvaraj was the sixth principal of our college from 2010 to 2013. Dr.J.Joel was our seventh principal from 2013-2015 .Dr. Samuel Sukumar , M.Sc., Ph.D. was the eighth principal from 2015 to 2018. Dr.N.Thangavel M.Com;M.B.A;PGDMM;PGDHRD;Ph.D;D.Lit; was the ninth principal from 2018 to 2023 .Our Present principal is Dr.T.S.Prema assumed charge on 21.07.2023.