Mar Thoma Church, one of the oldest Syrian Christian Churches founded by St.Thomas in India, entered the realm of higher education by establishing a College in Tiruvalla, the Headquarters of the Church. The Church, which had pioneered many social and humanitarian projects, was thus responding to a dire need of the society in the field of higher education by founding Mar Thoma College in 1952. The college grew fast, even beyond the dreams of founding fathers and now it is one of the most reputed Colleges in the state and is a glowing example of the vision of the Church and its commitment to the needs of the society.

The late Most Rev. Dr. Juhanon Mar Thoma Metropolitan, the late Rev. Dr. Mathews Mar Athanasius , late Dr.Alexander Mar Thoma Valiya Metropolitan and the late Mr. K.K Kuruvilla and many others contributed in no small measure to the growth and development of this institution. The present Manager of the College is Rt. Rev. Geevarghese Mar Athanasius.

From a small beginning with 250 students and 12 teachers, the college has grown into a premier educational institution with over 1500 students on the rolls,103 members on the teaching staff and 71 members on the non-teaching staff. It offers under-graduate courses in eleven disciplines, post-graduate course in eight and several non-formal courses. The College also has six bonafide research departments offering full time research facility leading to Ph.D.

The College, accredited by NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) in 1998, the first college to do so in Kerala, attained the unique distinction on being the first re-accredited college with A-Grade in Mahatma Gandhi University. The College is affiliated to Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam and comes under the 2(f) & 12(b) category of the University Grants Commission.