The First School and Church at Kunnur of Kalrayan Hills, – A Heritage visit, Salem District, Tamil Nadu,

1^st October 2017.

The visit to this School and the Church at Kunnur, near Karumandurai was a part of Kalrayan Hills Heritage visit organized by the Salem Historical Research Centre ( SHRC ). Mr Perumal, who is working as a teacher in this  Kunnur Middle School led us and explained the functioning of the school.

E C BRAND

The land to this school and Church was donated by E C Brand ( Evelyn Constance). Evelyn, a Christian preacher came to Chennai in 1907, worked at Senthamangalam and Kolli Hills. Six years latter in the Year 1913 she married Jesimen Brand at Senthamangalam. After the demise of Jesimen Brand in the year 1929, E C  Brand came to Kalrayan Hills and constructed  the first Church at Karumandurai in 1948. She devoted her whole life towards  education and providing medicine  to the Tribal and  backward community of Kalrayan hills. Hence the people of Kalrayan Hills and Kolli Hills  called her fondly as “Amma” and she passed way in 1974.

GOVERNMENT TRIBAL SCHOOL WITH BOARDING

The 2 acres of  land for this school was donated by E C Brand. The School was started in the year 1964 through Harijan beneficiary Department of Salem. Mr Perumal said,  about 150 Tribal village students are studying in this school.

S D DHASON MEMORIAL CHURCH C S I PATHIRAMANGALAM-  KUNNOOR 

The  C.S.I, Church was  constructed in the recent years adjacent  to the school. The  2 acre land for constructing this Church was donated by E C Brand. The Church is simple in construction with a simple cross alter. The out side is maintained beautifully with a variety of  flowering plants and rose garden. 

---OM SHIVAYA NAMA---