Zion Church, Chintadripet, Chennai
Zion Church is located at Chintadripet, a
well-known locality in Chennai City in Tamil Nadu. Zion Church is
one of the oldest churches in Chintadripet area of Chennai.
The original structure was built in Gothic architecture in 1847 by US
missionaries. The church is the oldest church built by US missionaries in
Chennai. The church also has the second oldest bell in the city.
Zion Church is a working church with hourly prayer and
daily services and follows Protestant sect
of Christianity. The church also celebrates
Harvest festival every year during the month of November. In modern times, it
is under the dominion of Diocese of Madras of the
Church of South India. It is one of the most prominent landmarks of
Chintadripet.
History
The church was founded in 1734 by governor George Mortin
Pith. He is believed to have settled 230 weaver families beside the Cooum
river to produce cotton fabric. As per another account, in
1847, Reverend Myron Winslow & John Scudder built a small church on a small
piece of land in Chintadripet purchased from G.V Naidu by the missionaries of
the American Board of Commissioners of Foreign Mission. It is the only church
built by the Americans in Chennai.
On 3 April 1865, the American Board of Commissioners of
Foreign Mission gave away Zion church to the Church Missionary Society for a
sum of Rs.10,000. In 1870, the Madras Governor Sir. Napier gave one portion of
the land for public use and now this portion is called the Napier Park. His
wife donated the pumping station land to the church to construct a school.
In 1878, the Christen Missionary Society donated the
Church Bell which till date is the oldest in Chennai after the George Fort’s
Bell. In 1888, it was christened as Zion Church. The Pipe Organ in the church
was made in England in 1895. The stain glass paintings are of European models.
In 1958, the Christian Missionary Society handed over the church to the Church
of South India (CSI). The church was reconstructed in 2003 at a cost of Rs 50
lakh.
Architecture
The church is built in Gothic architecture. The bell in the
church is the second oldest church in the city. It was installed during 1878 and
was sent by the Christian Missionary Society church. It was restored in 2008.
The inscription in the bell indicates that it was built by J Warner & Sons,
London. The century-old pipe organ at CSI Zion Church was a rare piece in
the country. This treasured possession of the church is almost as old as the
church.
The pipe organ in the church was manufactured during the
last decade of the 19th century and installed in the church in 1895.
The instrument was not operational for several years and was restored in 2006
with artisans from England. This antique masterpiece of the church has
been used at all important occasions in the church. In modern times, the Church
is administered by the Diocese of Madras of the
Church of South India.
Mass Timings
Mass is performed in the church from Monday to Friday on
8 a.m., 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays and 8:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. on
Sundays.
Festivals
The festival of the church is celebrated during the
Christmas times for eight days, starting with flag hoisting on 24 December and
ending with a feast and religious lectures.
Contact
CSI Zion Church,
No. 4, Arunachalam Street,
Chintadripet, Chennai – 600 002
Phone: +91 44 2845 3585
Email: csizionchurch@gmail.com
Connectivity
The Church is located at about 200 meters from Chintadripet
Police Station Bus Stop, 300 meters from Chintadripet Park Bus Stop, 400 meters
from Chintadripet Railway Station, 2.5 Kms from Egmore Railway Station, 2.5 Kms
from Egmore Metro Station, 2 Kms from Chennai Central Metro Station, 3.5 Kms
from Chennai Central Railway Station, 12 Kms from Koyambedu Chennai Mofussil
Bus Terminus and 19 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Church is situated near to Chintadripet
Railway Station and Chintadripet Park. Chintadripet is well connected to the
rest of Chennai by Bus and Train facilities.
Location