The Syrian Christians of Kerala believe that St. Thomas, one of the direct Disciples of Christ landed near Muziris in 52 AD and established 7 churches, of which 4 exist even today.

There is recorded evidence of a theologian from Alexandria coming to Kerala to preach the gospel in 180 AD and the migration of about 400 people from the Middle East in the 4th century and yet another exodus at the beginning of the 9th century.

The Portuguese who arrived in 1498 AD introduced Latin rites. Later, during the British rule, the Church Mission Society of London began its work in the country.

Today, there are five distinct branches of Christianity in Kerala, the Roman Catholic Church following Syrian, Latin or Malayalam liturgies, the Orthodox Syrian Church, the Mar Thomas Syrian Church, the Church Of South India and the Nestorian Church.