How about stepping back in time to 1859 right here at CSI St James Church in Chennai? This church stands as a testament to faith and history. It replaced the College Chapel that once stood here.
CSI St James Church has a story deeply entwined with education and dedication. Let me tell you more about it.
Rev John Anderson was a Scottish missionary. He lived from 1805 to 1857. He strongly believed in education for downtrodden street children. Anderson founded a mission in Chennai from 1837 to 1857. It was part of the Free Church of England.
He established the General Assembly School in Egmore around 1835. In 1838 the school moved to Sailor’s House in George Town now Black Town. By 1845 it became the Free Church of Scotland’s central shrine. This chapel was later reconstructed into the church we see today.
Interestingly St Andrew’s School founded by Rev George James Laurie and Rev Mathew Bowie moved to the General Assembly School. They brought along their headmaster and 59 boys. The school evolved into Madras Christian College. It shifted to Tambaram in 1937. Dr William Miller expanded the college adding hostels and academic buildings.
Rev John Anderson and his wife Margaret are buried in the Purasaiwakkam Tana Street cemetery. Margaret believed her husband’s spirit lived on in the church. She saw it as a haven for street children beggars and weekday worshippers.
Now imagine the church in 1859 four years after Rev John Anderson’s death. The first convert Rev P Rajagopaul became the first minister. The altar was simple. It had a wooden Cross. Stained glass images of Jesus adorned both sides of the altar. These colourful engravings told Jesus’s story through the windows and ventilators.
Plaques and tablets were placed on the walls. They commemorated those who dedicated their lives to CSI St James Church.
In 1998 the altar was renovated. Mr A Johnson and family generously donated to the project. Rev D Richard Ambrose Jebakumar dedicated the renovated altar on July 5 1998.
CSI St James Church celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2009. In 2011 during the Sesquicentennial Celebrations the church was renovated again. Ret Rev Dr Prof Devasahayam rededicated it on April 24 2011. The church also marked its 157th anniversary on May 15 2016. Ret Rev Dr J George Stephen unveiled a tablet.
The church encourages Tamil literature related to Christianity. It does this through Christuva Ilakkiya Tamil Peravai. It also promotes new Christian songs. This is done through Dalit and Adhivasikal variyam.
CSI St James Church operates under the Church of South India CSI. It is a Protestant denomination. The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage INTACH has recognized it as a Landmark Heritage building.
Standing here you can feel the weight of history and faith. The church is more than just bricks and mortar. It is a living testament to education dedication and community. Its journey from a small chapel to the CSI St James Church has touched countless lives. It continues to be a beacon of hope and a place of worship for many. Remember the story of Rev John Anderson. Remember the commitment to education and service.