With a view to engage in serious, scholarly and scientific study and research in Christian Theology and Philosophy, the Indian Institute of Christian Studies (IICS) was formed as a registered society on 8.6.1983. The dioceses of Bathery, Calicut, Irinjalakuda, Kottayam, Mananthavady, Tellicherry, Trichur, the Catholic College managements and the Major Religious Congregations in the jurisdictional area of the University of Calicut came together to form the Institute. IICS established the Chair for Christian Studies and Research at the University of Calicut on 5.2.1986. Now the dioceses of Kottappuram, Thamarassery and Kannur also are members of the Institute. The bishops of these dioceses are patrons of the Chair whose Chief Patron is the Archbishop of Trichur. Archbishop Mar Andrews Thazhath, the Archbishop of Trichur, is at present the Chief Patron.

The initial attempts to establish the Chair were made by bishop Sebastian Mankuzhikkari, padmabhushan Fr Gabriel CMI and the Rev. Dr. Sebastian Pappu Kanjirathingal. Dr. Sebastian Kanjirathingal was the first Head and the Visiting Professor of the Chair from 1986 till 1989. Dr. Joseph Velachery (1989-1994), Rev.Dr. Vincent Alappat CMI(1994-2002), Rev. Sr. Dr. Rossetta CMC (2002-2006) led the Chair in the following years and acted as Visiting professors. Now Rev. Dr. Paul Pulikkan heads the Chair (2006- ), being also the Visiting professor.

Based on the Charter of the Indian Institute of Religious Studies, the Chair for Christian Studies & Research, has the following aims and objectives: