Ringeltaube Vethamonikam Memorial Church, Mylaudy

Ringeltaube Vethamonikam Memorial Church, at Mylaudy in Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India. It is one of the largest and oldest churches in India. It is the cathedral of Kanyakumari Diocese, of the Church of South India (CSI).

On May 1, 1996, Mylaudy Church was promoted as a District Church.

On April 25, 2006, Mylaudy Church was raised to the status of a Cathedral of Kanyakumari Diocese (South Travancore Diocese). Announced by Bishop John Gladstone, Moderator of CSI South India. On celebration of 200th Ringeltaube Vethamonikam Memorable (bicentenary) day.

On August 8, 2019, whole Travancore Diocese celebrated the 250th birthday of German missionary William Tobias Ringeltaube.

Every year, April 25th, the entire Kanyakumari Diocese and South Kerala Diocese arranges a special prayer of Ringeltaube Vethamonikam Memorable Day in the Mylaudy church.

Now, This church (Mylaudy CSI Church) shines as the Cathedral of Kanyakumari Diocese.

History
During the 18th century, on the request of Kholf Iyer, the German missionary William Tobias Ringeltaube from studied Tamil Language in Tanjore, came to Travancore and stayed in Mylaudy. Over a period of ten years, Ringeltaube succeeded in building his mission. The first church (this church) was built at Mylaudy in September 1809. Many churches and Many schools were started. Even non-Christian students also received education. A printing press was started by his mission in 1821. Medical wing of the mission was established in 1838.

In May 1809, Ringeltaube laid the foundation stone for the first Reformed Church in Mylaudy This church was the first Protestant Church in South Travancore. The Mylaudy people worked for the church building at night, after completing their daily work during the day. The church work was completed within 4 months, church was renovated in September. That day some were baptized by the Rev.Ringeltaube. The length of the church was 40 feet. Width was 12 feet. This church was located on the site of the present church.

In the same year (1809), He established the first English school in south Travancore, about 700 feet east of the church.

The headquarters of south Travancore's London Missionary Society were also in Mylaudy. founded by Ringeltaube.

Years later, as the number of Christians increased, the church was expanded. Some years later, due to space constraints, the church was completely demolished and a new church was built on the same site.

Many years later, the backside of the church was expanded in the form of a cross while the pastor E.E. Gnanadasan (Father of Bishop I.R.H. Gnanadason) who worked pastor in the church. On 17 December 1932 blessed and inaugurated by Mylaudy church pastor John. A. Jacob.

33 years later, due to lack of space, people decided to build a new church. at 9.00am on Friday, May 13, 1966, Bishop I.R.H. Gnanadason laid the foundation stone for the new cross section church (now available church). The new crucifix shape church is 120 feet long and 45 feet wide, with each arm of the church 33 feet long and 19 feet wide. Built over more than 25 years, with the support of various loved ones and Hard work of Mylaudy People. The church as inaugurated on Friday 27 September 1991 at 9.00 am by Bishop G. Christhudhas M.A, B.D.

Dateline

 * In year 1799, Maharasan took his nephew Sivagurunathan (Elder brother's son) with him, went on a Pilgrimage to the chidambaram Natarajar Temple by walking. both of them slept through the night in the outer precincts of the temple with internal and physical exhaustion. Even then an old man appeared in a dream and said,  "Everyone who comes here deserves immeasurable punishment. Even if you come here, I will rebuke you and find you willing to forgive your guilt. So go the way you came to this place without delay, and I will show you the way to walk".  Then they left from that place and went to Thanjavur to met Christian relatives. They (christian relative's) introduced both of them to Rev. John Caspar Kohlhoff


 * They heard the sermon of Rev. kohlhoff in Thanjavur and repented. They embraced Christianity and stayed there


 * Rev. John Caspar Kohlhoff teach them about Jesus Christ and gave them the Book of Wisdom.


 * In year 1801, Both of them were baptized at St. Peter's Church, Thanjavur by Rev. John Caspar Kohlhoff and willing to change their names from Maharasan to Vethamonikam and Sivaguru-nathan to Masilamani.


 * The maharasan's desikar family members confirmed that both of them were died during Pilgrimage. due to, both of them were not returned within specified days.


 * Some months later, maharasan Vethamonikam desikar and masilamani return to home town Mylaudy with some copies of the Bible, Books and tracks. Family members were shocked by their appearance. Both of them taught Bible truths and their experience in Thanjavur. They gave the Bible to those who accepted Jesus Christ.


 * Rev. William Tobias Ringeltaube arrived at tranquebar (Tharangambadi) on December 4 1804. and stayed for one year to learn the Tamil language.


 * Vethamonikam desikar went back to Tanjore in year 1805 to met Rev. kohlhoff and Explained "growth of Christianity in Mylaudy" to him and Required for a missionary to lead the Christians in Mylaudy.


 * Rev. Kohlhoff introduced Rev. William Tobias Ringeltaube to Vethamonikam Desikar.


 * Vethamonikam Desikar is happy to invite Rev. William Tobias Ringeltaube to mylaudy in July 1805. Ringle taube accepted the Invitation. That time Ringeltaube was Studying Tamil Language in Thanjavur.


 * Rev. William Tobias Ringeltaube arrived at mylaudy on April 25, 1806.


 * Rev. William Tobias Ringeltaube laid the foundation of the first Protestant Church of South Travancore at Mylaudy in may 1809 and dedicated it on September.


 * In year 1809 & 1810, Rev. William Tobias Ringeltaube and Vethamonikam Desikar were founded the First English Medium School and First Aid Centre. Also, he established the headquarters of south Travancore's London Missionary Society were at Mylaudy.


 * During the year 1810 - 1816, Moreover Rev. William Tobias Ringeltaube established 7 branch churches, orphanages and Schools. South Thamaraikulam, Eathamozhi, Puthalam, Koilvilai, James town, Zionpuram, Perinbapuram and Ananthanadarkudy churches are the fruits of his ministry.


 * In year 1813, The people of Mylaudy and near by are suffered in poverty. Ringel taube help in various forms by giving her money, helped by constructing the "Well" & dig the "pond" by paid the wages. ("Well" is located South side of the church, "Pond" is located next to the Ringle Taube Higher secondary School, but pond is destroyed, empty land is remaining)
 * On 23rd January 1816, Rev. William Tobias Ringeltaube destroyed the debt account and shared that he was return to his homeland, and handed-over all the responsibilities to vethamonikam desikar. On his sea voyage return to his homeland he may have died between Malacca and Batavia.


 * Rev. Charles mead arrived Mylaudy.


 * Rev. Charles mead built a huge barn in the Southern side of Mylaudy church in 1818 to store the paddy Procured from the mission fields. It was 38ft. long, 18ft width and 36ft high and could contain 1500 Kottai (1 kottai is equal to 21 Marakal, (1 Marakal is equal to 4 padi, 1 padi is approximately 750 grams) 1 Marakal is approximately 3 kgs) some years later, the barn was destroyed.


 * Both vethamonikam and masilamoni died on the Same day (January 27, 1827) and were buried in Mylaudy.