When
I started writing an article on John Anderson Church, it was told that John
Anderson and his wife are laid to rest at Tana Street, Purasawalkam Cemetery.
The Cemetery is under the Control of CSI Missionary Chapel, Purasawalkam and
need their permission to enter in the cemetery. In the process collected some
details of this 200 years old Chapel.
The details are as follows....
The
oval tablet installed at the north side entrance of this chapel reads as.. Missionary
Chapel erected in 1819CE. Ebenezer Centenary
13-12-1919. A
bi-centenary Tablet was unveiled and
dedicated by Ret. Rev. Dr. J. George Stephen, Bishop of Madras, C S I Diocese
of Madras, on 9th December 2018, in commemoration of bi-centenary celebration of this CSI
Missionary Chapel. As per the tablet inscription reads as...
The
Chapel was established by London Missionary Society ( LMS ). First LMS
Missionary was Mr Cornelius Traveler ( 1819-1823 CE ). Foundation stone for
this Chapel was laid by Rev, Richard Knill, on 12-06 –1819, in presence of nine
missionaries of different denominations. The Chapel construction was Completed
in 6 months and dedicated by Mr
Nicholson, on 25-12-1819 CE. Rev.
William Hoyles Drew ministered remarkably as a Pastor for 22 years is said to
the longest service by a Pastor in this Chapel.
This Chapel was integrated with South India United Church in 1908 and
latter came under the control of Church of South India ( C.S.I. ) in 1947 CE.
Chapel’s
extension and renovation started in 1975
and completed in 1976. Rededicated by Rt. Rev. Sundar Clarke, Bishop of Madras
on 08-08-1976. The
renovated Alter and Vestry was rededicated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Devasahayam, Bishop
of Madras on 29-10-2000, in Commemoration of 181st Anniversary. Again the
renovated Church was rededicated by Rt. Rev. Dr. Devasahayam, Bishop of Madras
on 27-02-2005.
On
the walls of the Chapel some tablets containing inscription of the names for
those who served in this Chapel and its development.
In
loving memory of C.J. Lucas M.A,, L.T, ( 1882- 1962 CE ), Principal, Teachers
Training Institute Viruthumpet, Vellore on the 189th Anniversary of
this Missionary Chapel.
In
ever loving memory of V. Vedanayagam B.A. L.T., ( 1895-1980 CE) Headmaster
London Mission High School, Salem and his wife Ella Chritie ( 1899 – 1981CE ).
In
Affectionate remembrance of Rev. Maurice
Philips Ph.D, ( 1838-1910 CE ) 47 years of London Missionary Society, South
India and his wife Mary ( ... 1911 AD).
In
affectionate memory of Samuel Benjamin, ( 1886 – 1950 CE ), held various
position is London Mission Churches, Madras.
Sacred
to the memory of Becciam Devadasan ( 1901 CE), Samuel Sathianasen ( 1894 CE
aged 7 Years, William Moses ( 1905 CE.. 20 years ) and two infants wife and
children of Rev. J.N. Devadasen Pastor, London Mission Church, Madras.
In
affectionate memory of Rev, James
Devadason, Pastor of London Mission churches Madras, 1895-1914 Ce and died in
1928 CE.
Sacred
to the memory of Mr Sama Daniel (1890- 1962 CE ), CSI Missionary Church Vepery,
Madras.
Sacred
to the memory of M S Cnanamani B A., ( ... 1920 CE ) S.I.U.C., London Mission
Churches, Madras.
In
Loving memory of Rev. Z S. Jeevanesan, Pastor of the Church (1934 – 1950 CE )
died in 1965 CE and his wife , Mrs Grace
Jeevanesan, died in 1954 CE.
