In late 1960s skilled Tamil professionals started migrating to USA and this trend continued to grow as years went by. By early 70s there was a sizeable population of Tamil speaking people in and around New York of which 10 to 15% were Tamil Christians. As they grew in size they realized the need for getting together for worship and fellowship. First they started meeting in homes as they did in the early centuries of the Christian era and it did not take long for them to feel the need for a sanctuary where they could have fellowship and also worship in their own mother tongue Tamil which has a glorious history spanning more than 3000 years! So they started renting space in local churches belonging to different denominations. Their first station was the Reformed church in NewTown in Elmhurst, Queens and the second was at ELCA in Richmond Hills. The third stop was at Pilgrim Congregational church and then an LCMS church at Rego Park. In 2006 the Spirit of God led them to buy the property where they worship at present. It is named Christhava Tamil Koil, New York.

This is the first church in USA that conducts its worship in Tamil. It is now incorporated as a not-for-profit religious organization. Since 1999 the entire worship is in Tamil except the first Sunday of the month which is bilingual as children also join their families for worship and the Eucharist. The founder pastor of Christhava Tamil Koil is the Rev.Dr.Sunder Devaprasad who has been associated with the church for almost three decades. It was his vision to incorporate Indian architectural features in the building. Though it looks very much like any other church from a distance, as one moves closer to the building he/she would become aware of the outstanding Indian Tamil cultural and architectural features. The archway welcomes a visitor and there are two lotus flowers in granite which can not escape their attention. Lotus has a long historical religious connotation in Indian folklore. Lotus is the Indian National flower. Incidentally it is also incorporated in the emblem of the CSI which is the mother church of most of our members.

The door is intricately carved with many cultural artifacts such as the “kuthu vizhakku” a brass oil lamp with five or seven wickers forming a circle and considered very auspicious and sacred by the people. Most of the paintings adorning the walls reflect the Indian/Tamil ethos and culture. The church also has a library with over 2000 titles mainly Tamil Christian literature.There are books on a variety of general subjects, reference books, theological books and hymnals and Videos and CDs. We take the faith formation of our children very seriously and our Sunday school teachers guide our children with commitment and devotion. There is a youth leader who inspires our young adults. We have a music ministry that focuses on traditional Tamil lyrics and combines it with western hymn singing. We have a violin class going on and also classes in key board and guitar. Our outreach ministry reaches out through tract distribution and nursing home visits. We keep our channels of communication clear through our News letter to all our members and friends which is also available to all on request. Christian nurture for adults is offered through regular bible studies and cottage prayer meetings. A monthly fasting and prayer fellowship enhances the spirituality of our people. There are also occasional revival meetings and conventions.

Through the vision and untiring efforts of our founder pastor Sunder Devaprasad we were also able to organize a couple of international conferences one in 1996 at Hoffstra University and another in 2005 in colloboration with the Asian Institute of Tamil studies at Concordia College which attracted many scholars from different countries who read papers on early Christianity in India. Christhava Tamil Koil, New York is affiliated with the United Church of Christ, USA. Welcome to this caring church which while being rooted in the Indian/Tamil culture reaches out to all transcending all barriers with the Good News of God in Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, the redeemer and Saviour of all mankind./p>