“Here lies the body of the Madras Man” begins the story of Coja Petrus Uscan. He immensely contributed to the Armenians. His heart always remained in Julfa. Today we stand before St. Matthias’ Church. It holds a history far grander than its simple facade suggests.
Uscan was a prominent Armenian merchant. He served as a Company Councilor for the British East India Company. He funded the steps to St. Thomas Mount Catholic shrine. He also built a bridge across the Adyar River. This ensured safe passage for pilgrims.
After a French invasion, the British demolished a Catholic chapel inside St. George’s Fort. Uscan built a church in Vepery for Catholics. He named it Nosa Senhora de Milagre also known as the Church of Our Lady of Miracles. Uscan died in 1751 and was buried in the church cemetery.
In 1752, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge took over the church. The Danish Protestant Mission then converted it into an Anglican Church. Extensive repairs followed. The church was consecrated in 1823. It was then named St. Matthias Church. The East India Company partly funded the construction. John Law was the architect.
St. Matthias Church had humble beginnings. It started as a private chapel. This chapel belonged to the Armenian merchant Coja Petrus Uscan. It was called the Chapel of Our Lady of Miracles. In November 1752, the SPCK acquired the chapel for Rs 50000. This happened years after Uscan’s death. The SPCK renamed it St. Matthias’ Church.
Look around the churchyard. It contains many tombstones. Uscan’s tombstone stands here. Also find Johann Phillip Fabricius’s tombstone. He was a German missionary and Tamil scholar. Fabricius published the first Tamil to English dictionary. He also translated the Bible into Tamil.
St. Matthias Church is small. Its architecture is simple. It features a small tower, not a tall steeple. Inside, two rows of broad pillars support the structure. A stained-glass panel adorns the center. An old organ pipe adds to the building’s elegance.
Notice the relief image. It depicts the Bible being translated into Tamil. It is a unique feature of St. Matthias Church. Memorial tablets line the interior walls. These tablets commemorate Martha who died in 1850 and Rebecca Gordon who died in 1851. Also remembered are Charles Calthrop who died in 1811 and Thomas Alexander Oakes who died in 1845.
Some streets in Vepery bear the names of the church’s prebysters. These include Hunters Road, Jeremiah Road, and Rotlers Street. Some say Robert Clive’s marriage was solemnized here. Fabricious a German missionary officiated.
CSI St. Matthias Church stands as a testament to Chennai’s diverse past. It is a blend of Armenian Catholic Danish and Anglican influences. It began in 1823. It continues to serve as a place of worship. Its history whispers stories of merchants missionaries and faith.