Our church
Abu Mureikha, Exit 366, E11
PO Box 47022, Abu Dhabi, UAE
CSI Parish (Malayalam) · Abu Dhabi
That they all may be one.
അവർ എല്ലാവരും ഒന്നാകേണ്ടതിന് John 17:21
A Malayali family of the Church of South India, worshipping in Abu Dhabi since 1979 and, since 2024, in a church of our own at Abu Mureikha. Whoever you are, there is a place for you here.
- Worship
- Sundays, 10:00 AM
- Sunday School
- Sundays, 8:00 AM
- Where
- Abu Mureikha · E11, Exit 366
Illustration: the tall glass entrance of our church at Abu Mureikha, seen through a copper-edged pointed arch. The original CSI emblem assembles beside it. As you scroll, you walk through the arch into the story.
Since 1979
Thirteen members. One Thursday. Forty-five years of grace.
On 19 April 1979, thirteen CSI members and about eighty friends from other churches met at St Andrew’s Church on the Corniche for our first service. Step by step, God built a parish.
- 1979First service at St Andrew’s, Corniche Road, led by Rt. Rev. T. S. Joseph. For years we worshipped on Thursdays.
- 1981 · 1982The church choir forms in August 1981; Sunday School follows in November 1982.
- 1983 · 1984Women’s Fellowship begins. Worship moves to the new St Andrew’s premises near Al Khubairat School.
- 1990Rev. K. G. Thomson arrives as our first resident vicar.
- 2024We open the doors of our own church at Abu Mureikha.
We thank the rulers of the UAE for the freedom and the places of worship they give to every congregation, including ours.
Read our full historyIllustration: a sunrise over the Corniche. Five illustrated steps rise from left to right: thirteen people gather, music and an open book appear, arches and an olive branch grow, a lamp is lit, and a present-day photograph marks our church opening in 2024. At the top of the last step is a doorway in the shape of our church’s arch, with a photograph of the new church inside it.
Abu Mureikha · April 2024
A place to belong.
A home rises
The church’s tall stone arch rises. The closed glass door settles into its frame, then the whole entrance expands. The large glass doors open to reveal our altar and its illuminated cross. We move gently closer, then return through the doorway as it closes.
Our church
After 45 years, a home of our own.
In April 2024 we opened our church at Abu Mureikha, on land gifted by the President of the UAE, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Its wings open like the pages of a book, and ten Bible stories glow in its stained glass.
- Room for 880+ worshippers in the church complex
- 4.37 acres, across from the BAPS Hindu Mandir
- An olive tree, planted for peace on the opening day
Around our church
Take the scenic way in.
Begin beneath the palms.
A little shade, a slower step, and the church ahead. The approach is part of the welcome.
Look up. Come in.
The cross, the tall glass and the sweeping wings of the church meet at a single entrance.
Room to pause, together.
A quiet corner before worship. A place for conversation when the service is over.
Light, given a story
Ten stories in glass.
Ten Bible stories are woven into our church’s stained-glass windows. As the light changes, their colours fill the place where we gather.
The light leads us in
Beyond the glass
The light opens into a welcome.
Our sanctuary A place to gather, pray and sing.
Colours held in light
An imagined screen of four stained-glass panels folds outwards on paired hinges, revealing a photograph of our sanctuary. The screen is an illustration inspired by the church’s colours.
Sunday worship
Every Sunday, a seat for you.
The children gather first. Then the whole family meets at the Lord’s table, in Malayalam, with our choir. Come as you are; there is room in the pews.
- 8:00 – 9:30 AMSunday SchoolMore than 100 children and their teachers
- 10:00 AM – 12 PMHoly Communion & worshipIn Malayalam, with our church choir
- SaturdaysChoir practiceNew voices are always welcome
Times can change at festivals such as Holy Week, Christmas and the Harvest Festival. Please check the latest notices.
Illustration: the congregation seen from above, row on row of small flames facing the cross at the Lord’s table. They catch light one by one, except for one empty place, outlined and glowing, marked “A seat for you”.
Fellowships
Many petals, one flower.
Every age and every season of life has a place here. Seven fellowships grow from the same root, together as one body in Christ.
- Sunday SchoolSince 1982 · over 100 children
- Teens ForumFriendship and faith for teenagers
- Youth MovementSpiritual growth and care for those in need
- Church ChoirSince 1981 · about 50 voices
- Women’s FellowshipSince 1983
- Laity FellowshipEvery member a servant
- Area Prayer GroupsAirport Road · Madinat Zayed & Khalidiya · Mussafah · Najda & Salam · Tourist Club
Illustration: a round stained-glass window with seven petals, one per fellowship, each in its own colour and carrying its icon, around the cross at the centre. The motto “That they all may be one” runs round the rim.
Visit us
Off the E11, between two cities.
Our church stands at Abu Mureikha, off Exit 366 on the E11, across from the BAPS Hindu Mandir. You can reach it from Abu Dhabi or from Dubai.
Your first Sunday
Come a little early and stay for a while after the service. We would love to meet you.
Ask us anything
Illustration: a map of the coast between Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The E11 draws itself from one city to the other, and a flame-shaped pin drops at Exit 366, across from the BAPS Hindu Mandir. A postcard photo of the church is tucked beside the map.
Stay in touch
The parish, delivered.
Every month, Parish Messenger (ഇടവകദൂതൻ) brings the parish news, notices and a word from the vicar. Read it online or keep a copy at home.
Illustration: an envelope with a lotus-and-cross stamp opens, and this month’s Parish Messenger slides out, with its masthead, a photograph of the church and lines of news. A postmark reads “Abu Dhabi, Sunday”.
John 1:39
“Come, and you will see.”
The doors open every Sunday. Bring your family, your questions and your voice. Whoever you are, there is a place for you.
Back to the beginningAn illustrated book unfolds. Its pages become the sweeping wings of the church, a glazed arch rises between them, and the cross appears above. Warm light fills the windows as the invitation arrives. The original Church of South India emblem accompanies it.