Wesley Church, Egmore, Chennai
Wesley Church is one of the oldest churches in
Egmore area of Chennai, the capital of the South
Indian state of Tamil
Nadu. The original structure was built in Gothic architecture in 1905 by
Wesleyan Mission. Wesley Church is a working church with hourly prayer and
daily services and follows Protestant sect of Christianity.
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
Egmore.
History
The church was named after Wesley,
the founder of Methodist movement in 140 countries. Protestant missions in
India were legalized by an act of British Parliament in 1813. The mission to
India and Ceylon was initiated with five members. The Madras mission was
established in 1817, with Royapettah as the headquarters. During the later
period of the 19th century, the need was felt to expand in regions
like Egmore and Perambur. During 1892, the Garden House in Poonamallee High
Road was purchased for the pastor of the English group. Rev. John Breedan, who
was the first to occupy the premises with the lotus tank in front of it worked
towards the foundation of the church.
The foundation of the Church was laid on 28 December
1903 with the filling of lotus tank on Poonamalle High Road in Egmore by Prof.
George G. Findlay and his fellow missionaries of the Wesleyan Mission. The
church was formally inaugurated on 11 February 1905 by Rev. J. Cooling and the
formal message of opening the church was announced by Rev. William H.
Findlay. The centenary celebrations of the Church were celebrated on 29
January 2005, with special lectures and fundraising events.
Architecture
The church is built in Gothic architecture. The site at the
current place where it the Church is located was originally a lotus tank. The
tank was filled up during the early day of settlement of Rev. John Breedan from
1892 when the land was purchased. The pipe organ used by the church is of
important note and is one of the oldest instruments still in use. The church
has an exterior made of brick, stained glass windows and tiled brick spire. The
altar houses conventional Methodist images and a prayer hall for the devotees.
The plaques of Wesley and Jesus Christ are housed in glass chambers in standing
posture on the walls facing the devotees There is a school and institutions
belonging to the Church located within the compound.
Worship Practices & Festivals
The priests in the church were originally only English,
but during modern times, Tamil people were also allowed. In modern times, the
Church is administered by the Diocese of Madras of the
Church of South India. 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. The festival of the temple is celebrated during the
Christmas times for eight days, starting with flag hoisting on 24 December and
ending with a feast and religious lectures on 2 January.
The Church has a home for mentally challenged named
Parivalaya; the annual festivals are conducted along with the institution. Harvest
festival is celebrated in the church as a Thanksgiving Day every year during
the month of November. In association with humanitarian institutions, rice,
cereal, vegetables and oil are donated to the socially backward people of the
society. The festival is considered one of the primary stipulations from the Old
Testament, which emphasizes gratitude to society.
Contact
Wesley Church,
Egmore, Chennai – 600 064
Phone: +91 44 4269 7871
/ 4269 7870
Mobile: +91 81220 52521 /
94448 03689
Mobile: +91 98400 64854 /
98400 12612
Connectivity
The Church is located at about 400 meters from Dasaprakash
Bus Stop, 500 meters from Y.W.C.A. Bus Stop, 600 meters from Nehru Park Metro
Station, 700 meters from Egmore Metro Station, 1 Km from Egmore Bus Stand, 1 Km
from Egmore Railway Station, 5 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 9 Kms
from Koyambedu Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus and 18 Kms from Chennai Airport.
Location
