CSI Home Church, Nagercoil

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

CSI Home Church
Home Church
Home Church in 2020
Map
LocationNagercoil, India
CountryIndia
DenominationChurch of South India
Previous denominationLondon Missionary Society
Websitehttp://Nargercoilhomechurch.com/
History
StatusDistrict Church
Founded2 March 1819
Founder(s)Rev. William Tobias Ringeltaube
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationIndia
Architect(s)Rev. William Tobias Ringeltaube
Architectural typeGreek style
Groundbreaking1816
Administration
DioceseCSI Kanyakumari diocese
Clergy
Bishop(s)Rev. A R Chellaiah[1]
Senior pastor(s)Rev Victor Gnanaraj, Rev. J. Vincent Robert, Rev.Raja Jeyasingh

CSI Home Church is one of the largest and oldest churches in Asia.[2] It was built in 1819 under the supervision of Rev. William Tobias Ringeltaube an Prussian, who had come to Nagercoil via Madras and Rev Charles Mead.[3][4] The land on which the church was built was donated by the then British Travancore Resident, General John Munro, 9th of Teaninich, who had acted as a catalyst between the Missionary and the government of Madras and the Kingdom of Travancore.[5][6] This helped in the Theological Education for about two Centuries.[7][8] The church hosted the wedding of linguistic scholar Robert Caldwell in the year 1830. He died 28 August 1891, and was buried in Tirunelveli.[9]

Architecture[edit]

The building is in Greek style is 140 ft × 70 ft (43 m × 21 m). This is one of the oldest and biggest of the Protestant churches in South India. The edifice can provide accommodation for nearly 2500 people at a time.

Engraving from the magazine, Sunday at Home, dated 1872
Church building with light decoration for Christmas celebrations, 2021

Pastors[edit]

Senior Pastor & District Minister :-Rev J.Victor Gnanaraj, Presbyter :- Rev. P. Raja Jaya Singh Presbyter :- Rev Jerome

References[edit]