The college is affiliated to the University of Kerala and was upgraded in 1978
St. Stephen's College was founded in 1964 after the name of St. Stephen, the first martyr of Christianity. The college was the fulfillment of a long cherished desire of its founder, His Grace The Most Rev. Mar Thoma Dionysius. A number of educational institutions testify the deep devotion of the founder to the cause of higher education in and around Kerala and Tamilnadu.
The college was formally declared open by His Holiness Mar Baselios Augen I Catholicos of the East on 8th July 1964. Prof T.C. Joseph, Professor of Botany, Union Christian College, Alwaye, was appointed as the Principal and the Junior College started functioning at Mount Tabor premises, Pathanapuram. In 1968 the College was shifted to its present site, in the serene village of Maloor, 6 kms away from Pathanapuram. The College was upgraded in 1978 and now offers Degree courses in Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, Botany, Zoology, Economics and Commerce . With the introduction of M.Sc. Course in Zoology in1995, it was upgraded as a Post Graduate College. M.Sc. Course in Chemistry was sanctioned in 1999 and M.Sc. Physics was sanctioned in 2001. Department of Zoology has been recognised as a Research Centre by the University of Kerala in 2000.
Students can do research leading to Ph.D here. The college was accredited at the B++ grade by the NAAC Peer Team which visited the institution in 2004. It is a matter of pride for the College that three of its faculty members have been elevated to the divine service of the church. The erstwhile Catholicose of the East and present Manager H.H. Moran Mar Baselios Marthoma Didymus I and the Metropolitan of Delhi Diocese, Most Rev. Job Mar Philoxenos were serving the college as Heads of the Department of English and Most. Rev. Dr. Joseph Mar Dionysius Metropolitan of Culcutta Diocese was serving the college as Reader and Director of Zoology Reserch Centre when they were called upon for ordination.
The illustrious service rendered by the late Very Rev. Aprem Remban (Rev. Fr Oommen P. Abraham) as Head of the Department of Botany, Principal and local Manager of our college for a period of over two decades is gratefully acknowledged. Rev. Fr. K.V. Paul too served the college for over a decade as Local manager, Principal and Head of the Department of Syriac. During his tenure the college progressed remarkably and was accredited at the B++ level by NAAC.
