The Catholic Vicariate of Kottayam, which later became the Archdiocese of Kottayam, was erected exclusively ‘for the Southist Janatha’/ “pro Gente Suddistica” (Thekkumbhagar/ Knananites) in 1911.

The Knanaya Community traces its origin from a group of Jewish-Christian emigrants from Southern Mesopotamia to the South Indian port of Cranganore in AD 345, who formed themselves into an endogamous community. They co-existed peacefully in the Indian Nation and fulfilled their missionary goal of re-invigorating the Church of St. Thomas Christians. The initial strength of Knananites was about 400 belonging to 72 families of seven Septs headed by Thomas of Knai. A bishop by name Mar Yousef of Urhah, four priests and several Deacons were among them.

The new Vicariate Apostolic of Kottayam was erected exclusively for the Knanaya community by the Apostolic letter “In Universi Christiani” of His Holiness Pope St. Pius X on August 29, 1911. Later on December 21, 1923 the Vicariate Apostolic of Kotayam was elevated to an Eparchy by Pope Pius XI. When the territorial limits of the Syro-Malabar Church was extended in 1955, the jurisdiction of the Eparchy of Kottayam also was co-extensive with the then extended territory of the Syro-Malabar Church.