Since the beginning of the 21st century increasing numbers of Knanaya people have migrated to the United Kingdom to further their careers, business and in search of a better life. The years 2002 to 2005 sawthe culmination of Knanaya people�s migration to different parts ofthis country. During this period Rev. Fr. Job Thottathil (now H E AyubMor Silvanos Arch Bishop for USA, Canada and Europe) got the greatopportunity to come and study for his Masters Degree in Theology inthe UK. He came in 2002 by the blessings of the late lamented H EAbraham Mor Clemmis Metropolitan who inspired him to organise aKnanaya congregation in the UK. His Eminence appointed him to carryout all the priestly duties here. The first Holy Qurbana was conductedby Rev. Fr. Job Thottathil on 23rd February 2003 at Holy Trinity Church, Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham. He also started a new congregation in the name of St. Mary, with the support of devotedKnanaya people here. This was the starting point of the Knanaya Churches in the UK, later conducting Holy Qurbana in London and Manchester.

In October 2005 H E Arch Bishop Mor Kuriakose Severios visited the UK. On that occasion he declared three independent Knanaya churches: St.Mary�s Church Birmingham, St Paul�s & St. Peter�s Church London andSt. George�s Church Manchester. In 2005 Rev. Fr. Jomon Punnoose came to UK from India and was appointed as the first vicar of St. Mary�s Knanaya church Birmingham and Rev. Fr. Job Thottathil took charge of the other two churches as per by the bulletin no 133/05 and 134/05dated 07/12/2005 by H E Arch Bishop Mor Kuriakose Severios.

A few months later some members of the St. Mary�s Church Birminghamexpressed their wish to start a new congregation in another part ofBirmingham. As a result of their repeated requests the dioces and metropolitan granted permission for a new congregation in Birmingham.On 9th April 2006 (Palm Sunday), Rev Fr. Jacob Mannumpuram during hisUK visit, celebrated the first Holy Eucharist in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham for this newly formed congregation. This was the startingpoint of St. Simon�s Knanaya Church, Birmingham. Rev. Fr. JomonPunnoose Kochuparambil was given charge of this new congregation andinstructed to take the necessary steps for the conversion into anindependent church. On 4th July 2006 H E Arch Bishop Mor SeveriosKuriakose declared this congregation as St. Simon�s Knanaya worshipcentre through his bulletin no. 107/06, and as an independent Knanayachurch in the name of St. Simon the Zealot through his bulletin no.138/06 dated 15/9/2006. During this time Rev. Fr. Jomon Punnoosecontinued his priestly duties as vicar in charge and was appointed asthe first vicar of St. Simon�s Church with retrospective effect by MorSeverios Kuriakose through his bulletin No. 128/07 dated 10/9/2007.

We now have 32 families in this church and an active Sunday School, Vanitha Samajam and students association. St. Simon�s ChurchBirmingham had the privilege of conducting the very successful firstEuropean Knanaya Sangamam in July 2009.

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