The Knanaya Community traces its origin back to a Jewish-Christian immigrant community that migrated from Southern Mesopotamia to the Malabar Coast of Cranganore (Kodungalloor) in AD 345 under the leadership of the enterprising merchant Thomas of Cana (Knai Thomman). This migration marked a turning point in the history of St. Thomas Christians of Malabar. The original community consisted of about 400 persons belonging to 72 families across seven clans.
Mar Mathew Makil was the second Vicar Apostolic and the first indigenous Vicar Apostolic of the Vicariate of Kottayam, presently the Syro Malabar Archeparchy of Changanacherry. He also served as the first Vicar Apostolic of the Vicariate of Kottayam, which later became the Knanaya Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam.
The Knanaya Community traces its origin back to a Jewish-Christian immigrant community that migrated from Southern Mesopotamia to the Malabar Coast of Cranganore (Kodungalloor) in AD 345 under the leadership of the enterprising merchant Thomas of Cana (Knai Thomman). This migration marked a turning point in the history of St. Thomas Christians of Malabar. The original community consisted of about 400 persons belonging to 72 families across seven clans.
Mar Mathew Makil was the second Vicar Apostolic and the first indigenous Vicar Apostolic of the Vicariate of Kottayam, presently the Syro Malabar Archeparchy of Changanacherry. He also served as the first Vicar Apostolic of the Vicariate of Kottayam, which later became the Knanaya Catholic Archeparchy of Kottayam.
The early twentieth century marked a significant shift towards women's empowerment through education. Inspired by this vision, the visionary prelate H.E. Mar Alexander Chulaparambil established St. Ann's Girls School at Kottayam in 1927, laying the foundation for quality education for women and expressing his dream of creating an institution dedicated to women's higher learning.
This vision was carried forward by his successor, H.E. Mar Thomas Tharayil, leading to the establishment of Bishop Chulaparambil Memorial College on 11 July 1955. The college was formally inaugurated in 1959 by His Eminence Valerian Cardinal Gracias, Archbishop of Bombay and the first Cardinal from India.
Chev. Prof. V. J. Joseph Kandoth served as the first Principal, supported by a small team of faculty and staff. From these humble beginnings, the college has grown into one of Kerala's leading institutions, now offering sixteen undergraduate and seven postgraduate programmes with over 2000 students and 146 faculty members.
Today, BCM College stands as a proud centre of women’s education, with generations of alumni across the globe carrying forward its legacy and values.
Stay Connected
Stay Connected
