Iconic CSI Anglican St Paul’s Church celebrates 175 years of God’s Faithfulness
- Iconic Church of South India (CSI) Anglican St Paul’s Church celebrates 175 years of God’s Faithfulness- It’s a Home from Home for many Christian families and also other Communities. “This is the Day that the Lord has made; We will Rejoice and be Glad in it”- Psalm 118:24
Mangaluru: “God has blessed us and brought us to this time; God has blessed us and brought us to this place; God has caused His name to dwell to our midst; God has stirred our hearts and made us glad; God has shown us His glory in His mighty word; God has shown us the way of truth and life; For 175 years God has nurtured and fed His Church, and for 175 years God has shown us His grace; For 175 years, God has given Himself in Word and sacrament, and 175 years God has empowered us with His Holy Spirit; For 175 years God has made us His witnesses in the world, and for 175 years, God has placed us in loving fellowship with one another” said the Presbyter during the “Thanksgiving Service”in commemoration of 175 years of God’s Faithfulness held on Sunday, 18 November at the CSI St Paul’s Church, Mangaluru at 9 am.
And in response, the house-full Congregation assembled at the Church for this Joyous Occasion replied by saying “Ha Ha Ha Hallelujah” ( three times), and the Presbyter again praising the Lord said, “Praise the Lord for 175 years, Praise Him for more, Praise the Lord for evermore, Oh praise the name of the Lord. All praise and glory be to you, O God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, forever and ever. Amen”. “Hear our prayer, O Lord “replied the Congregation. The Thanksgiving Service at this Church was filled with vibrant singers and musicians, where the entire service consisted of more songs/hymns than the liturgy, in words!
Attending this Thanksgiving Service On Sunday at St Paul’s Church-Mangaluru did bring back sweet memories of my two decades stay in Chicago suburbs-USA, when I used to attend the church services at a Mormon Church in the neighbourhood, just to enjoy the choir singing the hymns- and I had also been to The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, formerly the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, a 360-member choir. The choir is part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (LDS Church), Salt Lake City, Utah-USA. It has performed in the Salt Lake Tabernacle for over a hundred years. The Tabernacle houses an organ, consisting of 11,623 pipes, which usually accompanies the choir. An orchestra or a cappella singing is used as well. Similarly was the singing and music at St Paul’s Church, although not huge like the Mormon Temple, but was simply amazing with musicians on their violins, organ, guitar and saxophones, well mastered by Choir leader Oscar Weltha. I wish the Catholic Sunday mass choir was amazing and soothing like St Paul’s Choir. Kudos, for the fantastic choir renditions!
The Thanksgiving Service was concelebrated by Rev Dr D Rathnakara Sadananda- General Secretary, CSI Synod-Chennai, along with Rev Noel P Karkada-Presbyter in-charge, St Paul’s Church, Mangaluru; Rev Dr Hanibal Cabral- Principal, Karnataka Theological College (KTC) , Mangaluru; Rev Sydney Salins- Former Registrar, KTC, Mangaluru; and Rev Edwin Walter- Former Treasurer, Karnataka Southern Diocese of the Church of South India. “Every Song I sing, Every Praise I bring, Everything I do-It is a gift to You”- the service began with a hymn by the Choir, followed by a special song “Everything I am, Everything I’ll Be, I Give it To You Lord, And Do it Thankfully” sung by the children of Sunday Bible School.
In his Sermon, Rev Dr D Rathnakara Sadananda said, “I overwhelmed to be among you all while we are joyfully celebrating the 175 years of God’s faithfulness of St Paul’s Church. This is the first Protestant church in the region, which has been a praying home, especially for non-Kannada speaking people. It catered mostly to students and those who came here on job assignments from out of Mangaluru. This is a border-less church, where people of all faith come here to adore, and its is like a home away from Home for many. God gave us the opportunity to learn the art of priesthood ministry. The Pastoral ministry what I learned still inspires me”.
“I always remember St Paul’s as a border-less church. I am grateful to God for giving me the opportunity to be here during the glorious 175 years. It is indeed a time for joyful thanksgiving. God has given us courage, He has bettered us, He has given us new hope, and He has forgiven us. And at the same time, we need to remember a few of the critical differences. It is time to be introspective. It is time for a new beginning. Time to discover new energy, new creativity and new challenges- in order to transform our neighbourhood. Let us all look forward to justice and peace. Let us all hope for a joyful and peaceful Thanksgiving” added Rev Rathnakara S.
A skit was performed during the Thanksgiving Service by the members of Youth Fellowship, with a theme “A visit to the St Paul’s Church’. Choir Master Oscar Weltha on the organ and his son Ross Weltha on the saxophone took the congregation on a musical journey through their instrumental rendition of the song “God Still loves the world”. The welcome address was delivered by Dr Jacob Chacko –Hon. Treasurer and the 175th Year Anniversary Report was given by Dr Prakash N.Tharien –Honorary Secretary, both of St Paul’s Church. Reminiscences by Ms Aruna Gojer – Senior member, Pastorate committee, where she shared her thoughts and experiences at the Church since 1985.
Dr Praveen John-Member, Pastorate Committee read out the names of the persons who were to be felicitated- and the persons felicitated were – Rev. Dr Rathnakara Sadananda; Rev.Edwin Walter; Rev. Sydney Salins; Rev. Dr Hanibal Cabral; and Mrs Adaline on behalf of Rev.Dr. Late Dhanraj. Apart from these five, few others namely-Bishop Rt. Rev. C.L. Furtado- Bishop Emeritus, Karnataka Southern Diocese; Bishop Rt.Rev. Bangera-Bishop Emeritus, Karnataka Southern Diocese; Rev. Daniel Kaundinya-Presbyter; Rev. Prekumar Soans-Former Diocesan Treasurer; Rev. Binu John-Presbyter; Rev. Sajith Krotdas-Presbyter; and Rev. Osman Shiri-Presbyter, couldn’t make it for the occasion due to their prior engagements. Choir Master and Instrumentalist Oscar Weltha was also felicitated on the occasion. Rev Noel P Karkada expressed his gratefulness to everyone who made this joyful 175 years of God’s faithfulness at St Paul’s Church a memorable and successful one.
I end this column with a thought-provoking lyrics from the hymn “God Still Loves The world”.
175TH YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF ST PAUL’S CHURCH AND THANKSGIVING SERVICE IN RETROSPECT & PRESENT
by Dr Prakash N.Tharien, Honorary Secretary, both of St Paul’s Church
St. Paul’s Church, Mangalore was the first Protestant church to be raised in the South Canara region and traditionally, it is an Anglican Church, in Mangaluru. It is now part of the Church of South India (CSI). St. Paul’s Church is located at the south-west corner of the Nehru Maidan in City. St. Paul’s was originally a garrison church, raised by the British India army of the Madras Government, built using prison labour. St. Paul’s is an imposing structure amidst the chaos of the fish market, service bus stand, and the State Bank of India.
Historical overview of emergence of St. Paul’s Church:
St. Paul’s traces its roots to 1568 when Admiral Diego de Silvera of the Portuguese fleet conquered the Mangalore fort and went on to build a Portuguese Fort of St. Sebastian (the present-day Deputy Commissioner’s Office). In 1763, Mangalore was captured by Hyder Ali. It was then captured by the British India Army in 1768, during the First Anglo-Mysore War, before being transferred back to Tippu Sultan in 1784 as per the Treaty of Mangaluru. After the fall of Tippu Sultan in the fourth Anglo –Mysore War of 1799, Mangaluru, once again fell under British Control and got annexed into Madras Presidency.
Mangaluru went on to become a strategically important port for the East India Company, and hence a small army unit was maintained to preserve law and order in the Canara region, and for guarding border passage into Mysore Princely State. After the Coorg rebellion of 1837, when Mangaluru was attacked, the fortification of Mangalore resulted in a need for the Church to meet the spiritual and moral needs of the British soldiers and citizens. In 1841, Rev. R W Whitford, garrison Chaplain appealed to the Government of Madras to construct a Church in Mangaluru, which was accepted.
The construction site of the St. Paul’s Church, Mangaluru, was at the Fort St Sebastian, the main seat of British power in Canara, on a 0.5-acre land. The initial budget was ₨ 5,128 and was to accommodate 120 people. The building works were initiated in 1842 by Rev. Alfred Fennel, and the church building was completed and was furnished before the arrival of Bishop George Spencer to Mangaluru, and was consecrated on 5 January 1843. In 2003, a community hall, located at the rear of the church, was inaugurated by Rev. C. L. Furtado, CSI Bishop of Mangaluru.
Administrative transfer of St.Paul’s Church, Mangaluru, under Karnataka Southern Diocese:
The German missionaries of the Basel Mission worshipped in St. Paul’s Church until 1862. In 1947, St.Paul’s Church became part of the South Indian Diocese, under CSI North Kerala Diocese. In 1971 it was transferred to the Karnataka Southern Diocese.
The earliest British Pastorate Committee of St.Paul’s Church:
J.N.A.Hobbs- General Manager, Pierce Leslie, Mangaluru; J.H.Morgan-General Manager, Commonwealth Tile Factory, Mangaluru (Currently, ‘The Morgan Gate’ at Jeppu, Mangalore reflects sentiments of people for his service and commitment’.); Dobs-General Manager, Aspin Wall, Mangaluru.
First Indian Pastorate Committee of St. Paul’s church:
A.C. Mathai- Professor of Botany, St. Aloysius College, Mangaluru; Titus Joseph-Assistant Manager, Aspin Wall, Mangaluru; D.S. Herbert-Assistant Manager, Peirce Leslie, Mangaluru; Fredrick Soans-Registrar, Mysore State; Dr Giridhar Rao-Medical Practitioner, Mangaluru; Dr Jacob-Medical Practitioner, Mangaluru.
It is commendable to place on record the dedicated effort of Titus Joseph who was a member of the first Indian Pastorate Committee and who later served as its Treasurer till his demise. He was one of those who was instrumental in St.Paul’s remaining as a place of worship today, for he kept the doors of the Church open to pray every day, saving St. Paul’s from being converted into a Museum as has happened to a Church in Mercara.
ST.PAUL’S CSI CHURCH –CEMETERY
It is a fact that not many are aware of the cemetery that is replete with historical monuments, located in the heart of the city of Mangaluru on Telecom House road. St Paul’s Church has the privilege of maintaining the 218-year old Heritage Cemetery. The cemetery has more than 70 tombs of British nationals. The Karnataka Theological College Archives has the birth and death register which gives a detailed account of Europeans buried there. Prominent among them is the 20-foot-tall tomb of Brigadier-General John Carnac, the first person to have been laid to rest in the cemetery on November 29, 1800. Brigadier-General Carnac was second in command to Robert Clive at the Battle of Plassey.
The cemetery, which was then called the ex-European cemetery of Mangalore was maintained by the British Crown until August 1947. It was looked after by the South India Cemeteries Board till 14th August 1947. The Government of India then assumed the responsibility of maintaining European graveyards. Subsequently, it was handed over to the British High Commission in India. In 1947 Mr Thomas, a Section Officer at PWD, in Cannanore, handed over the records and keys of the cemetery, to J.N.A. Hobbs, the then Secretary of the Pastorate Committee of St.Paul’s Church, Mangaluru (who was later knighted).
The historic Cemetery was formally handed over by a Central Government official on 24th July 1948 to the St.Paul’s Church Committee (Ref. Dr.T.A. Koshy, Secretary Pastorate Committee – letter of 12-09-1967 to British High Commissioner, New Delhi). The titular responsibility for the cemetery still rests with the British High Commission under BASCA- the British Association for Cemeteries in South Asia. But the responsibility for the care and maintenance is in the hands of the Pastorate Committee, Congregation and clergy of St. Paul’s Church, Mangaluru.
Dr T.A. Koshy, the then Honorary Secretary, wrote to the UK High Commission through the then Bishop Rt. Rev. T. B. Benjamin, to change the cemetery category to ‘open’ for the burial of members of St. Paul’s Church Mangaluru and subsequently also for Mar Thoma Church of Mangaluru. The Cemetery since then is being used for burial even to this day.
The Pastorate Committee of St.Paul’s Church, Mangaluru is in charge of the Cemetery. Currently, Edward Joseph oversees the maintenance of the historic Cemetery. However, inadequate funds continue to remain a challenge to restore it to its original grandeur. The St.Paul’s Church Cemetery is not just a historic Cemetery, but a Heritage site.
THE CLOCK TOWER WITH TWO DIALS/CLOCKS:
An interesting fact about St. Paul’s Church is its clock tower – which contains a clock with two dials. The clock was made in the Mangalore workshop of the Basil Mission and installed by its German Missionaries. After the demolition of the City clock tower in Hampankatta, St.Paul’s Church’s clock tower is the only remaining one in the whole of Mangaluru city.
Service in the Malayalam language once in a month was regularized, way back in the 1960’s. Then Rev.P.J.Thomas from Ankola used to come and later Presbyters from Kasaragod were assigned.
DEVELOPMENT OF THE CHURCH – A Review: Years of the Eighties and Nineties:
Expansion of Structures of St. Paul’s Church: (a) The eighties and nineties saw the verandah on either side of the Church extended with the addition of the side wings, to accommodate the growing congregation (b), Community Hall. In the new millennium (2003) a Community Hall, located at the rear of the Church, was inaugurated by Rt. Rev. Dr C.L. Furtado, CSI Bishop- Karnataka Southern Diocese. Eng. F.S.A. Pavamani facilitated the construction. (c) Expansion of Lawn and other space: The first ten years of 2000, saw many a change in terms of renovation and development of space, like Renovation of the old Church, with high-quality wooden windows and doors; Development of a lush Green lawn in front of the Clock Tower, with select plants and trees; Marked Parking space for vehicles; Towering lights provided by the Mangalore Corporation, and A new Church Organ
Fresh Developments: 2010-2015: Overall renovation of Church; Painting of the community Hall; Addition of a Generator for the Church. Renewed focus: 2015-17: Church focuses its right to assert itself; Discovering value of co-operate prayer and support.
Current Development 2017 to 2018: The Church picked up the steam to establish itself spiritually and physically. The focus was to pick up on spiritual values first and then eventually address other needs: Retreat in July 2017 for all ages; Reviving membership; Reaching out to families staying far, during Christmas – Carol rounds; Lighting the campus afresh during Christmas and New year; Contribution of Electronic Yamaha Organ; Replacement of Sound System; Renewing of various structures-electrical, electronic and physical structural space, to ensure protection and care; Total Renovation of the Church and the Altar space.; Maintenance of 218-year-old Heritage Cemetery; Bible studies for Youth Fellowship; Regular meetings of the women fellowship; and Sunday School
Programmes for 175th Year Anniversary:
Focus on investing in people –Establishing Kingdom values:
March 3rd, 2018 was celebrated as ‘World Day of Prayer Women Fellowship of St. Paul’s was in charge. The theme was ‘All God’s Creation is Very good; On 14th and 15th of April 2018, a Retreat for Youth and Married Couples was conducted by team SYSHYA on the theme ‘Saved with Amazing Grace.’. On 14th and 15th July 2018 Bible Exposition ‘From Garden to City ‘ was taken up by Eng. L.T. Jeyachandran; A three-day V.B. S (Vacation Bible School) was conducted for children between the 18th and 20th of October 2018 on the theme ‘Maker’s Fun Factory’
In conclusion, St. Paul’s Church has served the city of Mangalore for 175 long years. Architecturally, it is a heritage site that carries forward the rich history of its founding members. Spiritually, it continues to serve the members of its congregation who are growing stronger together in the Holy Spirit. With profound gratitude to God for His unfailing love and faithfulness in meeting our spiritual, physical and emotional needs. We as a Church lift our hearts and seek His guidance and wisdom in continuing to work for His greater glory and honour in the years to come. Thank you.
