Thursday, 6 October 2016

St. Lazarus Church / The Shrine of Stt. Lazarus, Dhyan Ashram, history of estuary, a Heritage walk, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

 02nd October 2016
ST. LAZARUS CHURCH
The St. Lazarus Church was constructed by the Portuguese in the Colony of Sao Tome de Meliapore ( Mylapore) in the year 1582 CE, in front of Leith castle and their Port. The same was rebuilt in 1637 CE by the Madeiros family and again in 1952. After that, the Church was renamed as Our Lady of Guidance.

A Brief history is that the Church was built by Fr Ribeiro. It was extended and renovated by a European named Manuel Madra in 1637 CE.  In 1928, Fr A M Texeira laid the foundation for the new Church and completed it in 1954. Henceforth the Church was called Our Lady of Guidance ( Nossa Senhora de Guia). This Parish was first known as ‘Madre-de-Deus’ ( Mother of God). The Place was entrusted to the Jesuit Fathers for the Retreat House, and Lazarus Church was made the Parish Church. This Portuguese name Madre-de-Deus in due course, gave the name “Madras” to this city. On 1st June 1957, this church was erected as a Parish and the statue of Our Lady of Guidance was also installed. It was learned that lepers were treated through this Church housed in the nearby streets.

On the back side of the Church, we tried to see the remains of the old Church, but we could see only the new construction activities. The streets are being Occupied by the Converted Christians who migrated from Madurai and Ramnad areas. The streets had changed a lot,  with new apartments. We could notice Mother’s Stucco images and Photos in front of many house entrances.

LOCATION OF THE CHURCH : CLICK HERE









The Church tells its own story 
 The original Church was exists here 
 Kanagaraya Malaiyappan Street where the majority of the Christians are living 
 Kanagaraya Malaiyappan Street where the majority of the Christians are living 
 An old Hindu House. This has a separate entrance for the servants
 A Church on the way  to Dhyan Ashram 


….to be continued ( Dhyan Ashram )

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