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Late Arch Bishop Dr. V. J. Stephen, D.D
Born on 19 , August , 1906 as the son of Famous Evangelist Vattappara Stephen John and Chiravalumkal Aleyamma Zacharia, in Chelacompu Village, Kottayam, Kerala. Mother died at his age of six. Married Mariamma daughter of Joseph and Aleyamma, Murinjakallil, in Anikadu Village, near Mallappally.

He served in the Government in the Department of Judiciary ; Resigned and joined the Seminary.

Ordained as Presbyter in 1940.Served in the Anglican Church and after Church Union in CSI. Separated from CSI in 1964 ; Consecrated as Bishop on May 5 , 1966. In 1982 he became Arch Bishop ; In 1983 elected as one of the Vice Presidents of ICCC. Died on 24 November ,1986.

He was  the First Bishop from among the Neo Christians of Kerala. On the day of his consecration he ordained 24 Clergy. Ordained more than 50 Presbyters and Consecrated Four Bishops. He visited USA , England , Holy Land and  Singapore. Established congregations in more than 200 places. He was the greatest Reformer, Kerala had ever seen. Even while he was alive , his name appeared in the Official and other History Books of Kerala. 

The House in which he lived as Bishop at Kurichy , Kottayam is preserved as a Museum ; The articles he used , Books , His writings , Books referring him , etc are maintained there. This was  opened by the Chief Minister of Kerala Oomman Chandy on Sunday 20 November , 2005.

He will ever be remembered as the Preserver and Renovator of the Anglican faith in India. The Diocese has decided to sponsor a Poor Children’s Home at his Birth Place to coincide with his  Birth Anniversary which comes on August 19 , 2006.