Snehagiri was started as Social and Charitable Service Society in the year 1978 under the leadership of Fr. Paul Kodiyan as the Director of Social Service Department of Ampazhakad Monastery, and representatives from the lay people of the locality. The campus of Snehagiri Housing Scheme, the nucleus of the Snehagiri Project, was purchased by a donation from Olsberg Parish in Germany on the occasion of the Sacerdotal Silver Jubilee of Fr. Werner Chakkalackal.
Within a short period, Snehagiri became a big organisation with various activities. Hence the Director Board requested the Devamatha Province to establish a CMI centre at Snehagiri. The Prior of St. Theresa’s Monastery with unanimous consent of the local synaxis, through his letter dated July 26, 1988 requested the Provincial Council to erect a CMI Centre at Snehagiri.
The Provincial Council taking into account the current needs of the Church through P. C. 16/88, Act 116 of October 1988 resolved to erect a CMI Centre at Snehagiri as per C. 235. The Centre was named Snehagiri Bhavan.