Kerala Ecumenical Christian Fellowship • Dallas–Fort Worth • Established 1979KECF • Est. 1979
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Kerala Ecumenical Christian Fellowship — Dallas, TexasKerala Ecumenical
Christian Fellowship DallasDallas–Fort Worth, TexasEstablished 1979“That they may all be one.” — John 17:21
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Stained-glass illustration presenting seven KECF church traditions around a central cross, from Kerala to Dallas
← About KECF

Our Christian traditions

Many traditions.
One fellowship.

Our member congregations bring distinct histories and worship traditions to KECF. Explore each illustrated introduction below, then meet the churches that carry those traditions in Dallas–Fort Worth.

Explore the seven traditions ↓Illustrations are symbolic and do not depict specific member church buildings.

What does ecumenical mean?

Coming together
as Christians.

Ecumenical fellowship brings Christians from different churches into relationship through prayer, conversation and shared service. KECF’s member churches retain their own beliefs, worship and leadership while gathering in a spirit of Christian unity.

The introductions below offer a starting point. For a church’s full teaching and worship practices, explore its own resources or speak with its clergy.

Community heritage: Explore Knanaya heritage →

Oriental Orthodox

Malankara Orthodox Syrian

Also known as the Indian Orthodox Church, this church belongs to the Oriental Orthodox family and traces its roots to the Saint Thomas Christian heritage of Kerala. It is self-governing under its Catholicos. Its church life includes a rich liturgical tradition, theological education and service to the community.

Learn more: World Council of Churches ↗

Oriental Orthodox

Jacobite / Syriac Orthodox

The Jacobite Syrian Christian tradition in India is part of the Syriac Orthodox Church of Antioch, under the Patriarch of Antioch. It shares Kerala’s Saint Thomas Christian heritage and preserves the worship and spiritual traditions of the Syriac Orthodox Church. Its relationship with the Patriarchate distinguishes its church organization from the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church.

Learn more: Malankara Archdiocese ↗

Reformed Syrian tradition

Mar Thoma Syrian

The Mar Thoma Church combines its Eastern Christian inheritance with a reform movement shaped by Scripture in the nineteenth century. Worship, biblical teaching, mission and service are central to its life. It has a longstanding commitment to cooperation with other churches.

Learn more: World Council of Churches ↗

Eastern Catholic

Syro-Malabar Catholic

The Syro-Malabar Church is an Eastern Catholic church in communion with the Pope. Rooted in Kerala’s Saint Thomas Christian community, it preserves an East Syriac liturgical inheritance. It has its own church leadership and traditions within the wider Catholic communion.

Learn more: Syro-Malabar Church ↗

Shared community heritage

Knanaya heritage.

These congregations share Knanaya heritage while belonging to different church traditions. Each is also listed above under its church affiliation.

A few helpful words

Names with history.

Episcopal
Led by bishops. In this context, the word describes a form of church leadership; it does not mean every member church belongs to the Episcopal Church in the United States.
Liturgy
The ordered prayers, readings and actions through which a church worships.
Eastern Catholic
A church in communion with Rome that preserves its own Eastern Christian heritage and worship.
Discover our Kerala heritage →Explore all member churches →Contact KECF →