Built without a single piece of wood the CSI Church of the Good Shepherd stands tall. Its Gothic architecture is unique in all of India. Imagine the dedication of those who built this magnificent structure. The Church of the Good Shepherd in Chennai’s Mylapore district boasts a rich history. Originally part of the Scotland Mission it was dedicated in 1899. It served as an associate of the Santhome Church. This was near the Santhome Cathedral where the Apostle Thomas is said to be buried.
The land itself has a fascinating past. It was once part of Sullivan Gardens a fifteen-acre estate. Thomas Sullivan the founder of Tamil Nadu’s head postal department owned it. He acquired it for a modest sum. After his death in 1842 Archdeacon Harbour purchased the land. In 1847 it was sold to the Society for the Propagation of Gospel. They established a theological college there. A large room in the college head’s house was used for prayer services.
Initially these services were for college students. But soon local Christians started attending. Around five hundred families found it difficult to travel to Santhome. The growing congregation led to a desire for a church of their own. In 1875 Rev Savarirayan began fundraising. The first collection was a modest Rs 311 and 12 paise. His son Theophilus continued the effort. By 1886 they had collected Rs 111 5 Anas and 8 paise.
The Madras Diocesan Committee oversaw further fundraising. Even rice was collected from homes. A small S.P.G church was built in 1891. Rev Westcott recognizing the need for a larger church initiated construction. His wife Mrs Westcott and Mr W L Fozen F R I B A were instrumental in its creation. The foundation stone was laid in 1894 by Mrs Westcott. Funds were raised through donations including a generous bequest from Mrs Mariot.
The church was constructed under the supervision of Mr W N Baakson. It was completed in 1898. It was dedicated on January 25 1899 by Bishop Fredrick Bell. The dedication ceremony was a grand affair with floral decorations and illumination. The unique feature of the CSI Church of the Good Shepherd remains its Gothic style construction without any wood. It stands as a testament to faith perseverance and architectural ingenuity. This is a place of worship but also a living piece of Chennai’s history. It’s a legacy for future generations.