The St. Gregorios Orthodox Church came into existence on January 15, 1978 and Rev. Fr. Koshy P John was the vicar for the 18 families who initiated this church. As the church did not have a permanent location, Holy Qurbana was conducted twice a month in varying locations, from rented office buildings to a vacant space above a fire station.  On December 6, 1981, Rev. Fr. Zachariah P. Venattukalathil, who arrived from Dallas, was appointed the  second vicar. Under his leadership the congregation grew steadily and by 1985 the membership had increased to thirty-two families. A Sunday school was also instituted for the benefit of our children to help them grow in the faith.

 The parishioners heeded the resounding favorite slogan of their beloved vicar, “In Houston we can do wonders!” and they took on the great endeavor of building their own worship place.  On January 3, 1985, a two-acre plot was purchased at 13218 Player Street. The church members proudly rolled up their sleeves to assist the construction workers in preparing the lot.  His Grace Dr. Thomas Mar Makarios laid the foundation stone of our church on November 10, 1985 in the name of St. Gregorios of Parumala. The newly built Church was consecrated by H.G. Mathews Mar Coorilos (the present Catholicos of the Malankara Orthodox Church) and H.G. Thomas Mar Makarios on November 29, 1986. Within a few years, a Parish Hall was built adjacent to the Church.

 The Church grew and prospered under the guidance of Rev. Fr. Zachariah for many years.  The membership had grown to fifty-five families by the year 1990, and this small happy family reached a peak in fellowship and happiness.

On December 20, 1994 our beloved Father Zachariah suddenly fell ill.  Our wish was not God’s will, and on December 27, Father Zachariah passed away.  The community was rocked by the sudden loss.  We struggled to comprehend such a loss, but were comforted with the knowledge that God had a higher plan for him and that our departed were in a better place. Subsequently Rev. Fr. John Geevarghese from Arkansas was appointed, by our Diocesan Metropolitan, as our interim vicar.

 In June 1995, Rev. Fr. P. M. Cheriyan became the parish’s new vicar, and began the difficult task of helping the community take the first steps toward healing.  Having been a student of the Seminary in Kottayam, India, he is well rooted in the Orthodox Faith and Traditions.

Today, our Church has grown further with a membership of about seventy-five families under the guidance of His Grace Dr. Alexios Mar Eusebius, the Metropolitan of Southwest America of the Malankara Orthodox Church. Organizations such as Sunday school, Balika Bala Samajam, MGOCSM (Youth Group), OCYM (Orthodox Christian Youth Movement) Martha Mariyam Samajam (Women’s Fellowship Group), and Choir thrive in our Church.  We look back at the last twenty-five plus years with fond memories of our children growing up in the community.  God almighty has provided us with more joy than we could ever hope for, and we plan to persist in strengthening our Church so that we can continue to glorify God.