CSI Home Church, Nagercoil, Kanyakumari
CSI Home
Church is located in Nagercoil Town in Kanyakumari District of Tamilnadu. CSI
Home Church is one of the largest and oldest churches in Asia. It is
having a rich history of close to 200 years. It was the first Major church in
the erstwhile state of Travancore. It currently has the most number of members of
all the churches in South Asia. It was built during the British reign. This
Church comes under Church of South India (CSI).
History
Rev. Charles Mead:
Rev.
Charles Mead, known as the “Father of the South Travancore Mission”, was born
on the 1’st of October 1792 at Bristol, England. He was ordained at Chichester
on 6th March 1816. As per the London Mission Society’s report, Rev. Charles
Mead was nominated for Travancore as Missionary Rev. Ringle Taube’s successor. He
left England on 20th April, 1816 for Travancore State and arrived at Madras on
28th of August 1816 along with Rev. Richard Knill, who was the Pastor of the
church at St. Petersburg. He left for Travancore from Madras on the 9th of
September 1817 along with his wife and arrived at Colachel on
the 17th of January 1818.
During
his journey, the ship was stabled at Prince of Wales Island where his wife passed
away leaving behind a child due to her prolonged ill-health. Finally, Rev. Charles
Mead arrived at Colachel with his child John Hunt after his tragic journey.
Rev. Charles Mead, was heartily welcomed at Colachel by Vedamanickam who was
holding charge of the mission work. Col. Munroe had already issued instruction
to the Sircar officers to repair the small mission house at Mylaudy in
consultation with Vedamanickam and suggested certain alterations for the stay
of Rev. Mead.
In the
meanwhile, Colonel Munro offered his own circuit bungalow at Nagercoil for his
occupation and invited him to stay at Nagercoil. Rev. Mead gratefully accepted
it, and then made Nagercoil as his headquarters for the Missionary works he was
about to accomplish. In April, 1818, Rev. Mead was appointed as the Civil Judge
of Travancore State by the Travancore Queen.
Church Construction:
With the
permission of the queen of Travancore, Rev. Charles Mead, utilized the elephants of the Nagaraja Temple and the prisoners in the construction of
the church, which has been called as Kalkoyil” (stone church) as it is built
with huge stones. The church construction was started on 1819. The Church was
built under the supervision of Rev. William Tobias Ringeltaube an Prussian. By the effort of Rev. Charles Mead,
the Church foundation stone was laid on the 1’st of January 1819 on New Year’s
Day by Rev. Richard Knill, and was completed by the Rev. Charles Mault in 1843.
The land
on which the church was built was donated by the then British Travancore
Resident, General John Munro, 9th of Teaninich, who had acted as a catalyst between the Missionary and
the government of Madras and the Kingdom of Travancore. H.H the Maharani of
the State gave free timber, free use of the temple elephant to assist in the
work, and allowed convict labour.
Later
His Highness the Maharaja of Travancore who happened to pass this way and see
this noble structure rising, gave a donation of Rs. 2,500/-. H.H the Maharaja
of Cochin and the Rajah of Tanjore also donated liberally. These prove that
though this was meant for a place of worship for Christians, non – Christians
also helped and encouraged the efforts thus appreciating the all-round uplifting
influence which is bound to result through Christian Missionary enterprise in
the lives of everyone irrespective of one’s religion.
In 1830,
the Home Church hosted the wedding of Dr. Robert Caldwell, one of the
best-known linguistics scholars in the World. The Home Church has a completely
democratic constitution since 1860 and has ever since elected its own Pastors
who have been eminent preachers. This helped in the Theological Education for
about two Centuries.
Architecture
This
Home Church is perhaps the largest Church in the East, 140 ft. X 70 ft. The
imposing building is built in Greek style. This is one of the oldest and
biggest of the Protestant churches in South India. The edifice can provide
accommodation for nearly 2500 people at a time. This is an outstanding example
of the architectural achievement of the missionaries. Four families, comprising
thirteen souls, were the first Christians. But today there are more than four thousand
on the rolls.
The
building, a very strong one, is of stone work, and hence its name, the Stone
Church (Kal Koil / Kar Koil). The basement is of huge hewn ashlar stones, so
huge that elephants were employed during the construction. There is a tall
terraced portico and a spacious vestry and store – room at the back. The large
doors and windows and the tall pillars of the terrace, together with the
elevated location, give a majestic appearance to the Home Church.
Originally
the roof was thatched with coconut leaves. In around 1862, the present roofing
was built. It was of galvanized iron sheets over closely placed rafters
arranged in Malabar style. The acoustic arrangements of the Home Church are
excellent. The building is electrified and the original chandeliers were fitted
with eight bulbs and one with thirty. These add to the beauty of the evening
service.
Connectivity
The
Church is located at about 750 meters from Nagercoil Bus Stand and 2.5 Kms from
Nagercoil Railway Station. Nagercoil is located at about 21 Kms from Kanyakumari,
13 Kms from Thuckalay, 23 Kms from Colachel, 27 Kms from Marthandam, 12 Kms
from Padmanabhapuram, 27 Kms from Thiruvattaru and 72 Kms from
Thiruvananthapuram. Adequate rail and road facilities are available to reach
Nagercoil from all parts of the state. Nearest Railway Station is located
at Nagercoil and Nearest Airport is located at Thiruvananthapuram.
