About Us
HISTORIC MILESTONES OF C.S.I. ST. PAULS CHURCH
(Diocese of Vellore)
SATHUVACHARI, VELLORE – 632 009.
The CMC Employees Co-operative Building Society in 1976 allotted house-plots for its workers to build houses and this resulted in the formation of CMC Colony. Which at present is known as “Ida Scudder Nagar”. A small group six families which include Mr. A. Israel, Mr. John Jayaseelan, Mr. T.R.G. Paul, Mrs. Eric Sakunthala, Mrs. Gnanam Paulraj and Mrs. Boopathy Moses who initially settled in the colony, on September 29, 1976 formed the Congregation of the New Church and later in 1982 the number of families rose to 20.
Growth & Recognition as Pastorate
Right from the inception the Church was under the control of CSI Central Church, Vellore and it started functioning in 1981 in Vellore East Pastorate along with Kagithapatrai, Aruganthampoondi and Palar. In 1987 the four Churches namely St. Paul’s Church, Holy Trinity Church, Redeemer Church and All Souls Church were included under Sathuvachari Pastorate and in 2003 St. Paul’s Church was upgraded as an independent unit and in 2007 it became recognized as a pastorate.
Worship Centre
At first the worship service was held on 27-09-1976 in the house of Mrs. Nesamani and the members came forward to hold services on Sundays in their houses also for sometime. As more of members began attending the Sunday divine service the spacious car shed of Mr. Jesudian was utilized for three years in a row. A makeshift thatched shed of 30′ and 20′ was dedicated by the Rev. Rufus R. Jayakaran with the permission of Mr. Jesudian in the park area for conducting worship services. Considering the utility and maintenance problem a R.C.C. building of 60’x30′ dimension was constructed with the generous contribution of local and foreign living members and it was dedicated on 03-05-1988 by the Rev. Samuel Gembeeram and it provided infrastructure need for the occasions of worship and celebrations.
New Church Building
The speedy increase in the number of congregational strength and requirement of more squatting place and the future growth of the Church warranted us to prayerfully consider the proposal of building Church and work for its accomplishment under the leadership of the Rev. Y. John Bashkar who persuaded the then Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. R.T. Baskaran who in turn convinced the finance and property committee of V.D.C. to allot plot of 167′ x 80′ size along side of C.S.I. Ida Scudder School. The Church Building Committee under the chairmanship of Rev. John Bashkar obtained approval for Church building construction from the District Collector and sought the help of Mr. Raja Singh, Kingsway Consultancy for preparation of blue print, architectural details and estimate and tendered the contract to Mr. Eswaran. It was day of great joy when Prof. Mrs. Ethel Baskaran laid the foundation for St. Paul’s Church and the Bishop Rt.Rev. R.T.Baskaran offered the dedicational prayer in the presence of the Rev. Y. John Bashkar and the member of Church Building Committee namely Mr. Dhanraj Devadoss (Convener), Mr. Sundar Raj (Building Treasurer) Mr. Ragland Thomas (Secretary of the Church) Mr. Vadivel Joseph (Treasurer of the Church), Mr. George William (Catechist) and the Congregational members.
The Rev. Mahimai Rufus who assumed the Presbyter in charge of the Parish on 01-06-1996 made certain changes in the blue print and started the construction works on 14-02-1999 for having the present church building and the RCC roof laying was done on 11-04-2000. The chairmanship of Rev. Jacob Vivekanandan, the hardwork and involvement of Mrs. Mariamma Wilson as building Treasurer and the total identification of all building committee members in 1999 saw the completion of Church building construction. M/s. Ragland Thomas (Building Convener), Mariamma Wilson (Building Treasurer), N.Bose (Secretary of Church), John Jayaseelan (Treasurer of Church), J.Sundar Raj, George William, Sampath Rajan, David, Isreal, Y.B. Daniel, Henry Peter, K. Samuel, D. Paulraj and Chandra Mohan played special roles in completing the structure in time. The New Church building was dedicated by the C.S.I. Moderator Rt.Rev. K.J. Samuel while it was declared open by the Rt. Rev. Mahimai Rufus, Bishop in Vellore on 26-01-2001 and the total estimate of cost of construction involved Rs.50 lakhs. This responsibility of Church dedication was accomplished with the coordination of Rev. Jacob Vivekanandan (Presbyter), Mr. John Jayaseelan (Building Convener) Mrs. Mariamma Wilson (Building Treasurer) Mr. Selvaraj (Secretary of Church), Mr. Sampath Rajan (Treasurer of Church) and Mr.George Williams (Catechist).
Roll of Presbyters in St. Paul’s Church
| Year | Name of Presbyter |
| 1976 – 1980 | Rev. Mahimai Rufus (Central Church) |
| 1980 – 1985 | Rev. Rufus Jayakaran (Central Church) |
| 1982 – 1983 | Rev. S.A.Joseph (Associate Presbyter) |
| 1983 – 1984 | Rev. Samipillai (Associate Presbyter) |
| 1984 – 1985 | Rev. D.Asirvatham (Associate Presbyter) |
| 1985 – 1986 | Rev. M.Gembeeram (Vellore East) |
| 1986 – 1989 | Rev. Samuel Gembeeram |
| 1989 – 1990 | Rev. Noble Chandran |
| 1990 – 1996 | Rev. Y.John Bashkar |
| 1993 – 1996 | Rev. R.Yesupatham (Associate Presbyter) |
| 1996 – 1999 | Rev. Mahimai Rufus |
| 1996 – 1998 | Rev. Samuel Baskar (Associate Presbyter) |
| 1993 – 2003 | Rev. I. Jacob Vivekanandan |
| 2002 – 2003 | Rev. H. Sharma Nithyanandam |
| 2003 – 2007 | Rev.Dr. Y. John Bashkar |
| 2009 – 2013 | Rev.Dr. Y. James pragasam |
Catechists
| 1976 – 1986 | Mr. S.J.Sudharsanam |
| 1987- (Six months) | Mr. Jernus |
| 1987 – 1994 | Mr. S.Aaron |
| 1994 – 2003 | Mr. D.M.George William |
| Secretaries | Treasurers |
| Mr. A.S.Durairaj | Mr. D.M.George William |
| Mr. Ragland Thomas | Mr. R.John Jayaseelan |
| Mr. N.Bose | Mr. Vadivelu Joseph |
| Mr. S.Selvaraj | Mr. Sampath Rajan |
| Mr. P.Jayapal | Mr. Henry Peter |
| Mr. S.Selvaraj | Mr. Stephen Sukumar |
| Mr. N.Bose | |
| Mr. A.John | |
| Mr. H.Chandramohan | Mr. S.Jacob Prabhu |
| Conveners of Building Committee | Treasurer of Buildings committee |
| Mr. Dhanraj Devadoss | Mr. J.Sundar Raj |
| Mr. Ragland Thomas | Mrs. Mariamma Wilson |
| Mr. Y.B.Daniel | |
| Mr. R.John Jayaseelan |
Parsonage
The Construction of parsonage was accomplished with the sincere efforts of Rev. Sharma Nithyanandam involving Rs.13 lakhs and was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Y.William on 06-05- 2007. Mr. Chandra Mohan, (Secretary), Mr. Jacob Prabhu (Treasurer) and the members of Pastorate Committee deserve special mention for their commitment. Mrs. Hellan Inbaraj extended handsome contribution for this task and Mr. Thiyagarajan constructed the building.
Sexton Quarter
During the chairmanship of Rev. Dr. Y. John Bashkar Rs. 6 lakhs was raised through the conduct of Harvest Festival and individual donation for construction of sexton quarter’s in the same compound and it was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Dr. Y.William on 25-05-2008. The Bishop deserved our gratitude for the generous gift of Rs.25,000/- from the purse given to him on his 60th year celebration. Mr. Chandra Mohan (Secretary), Mr. Jacob Prabhu (Treasurer) and the members of Pastorate Committee deserve our thanks for sparing their time and energy. Mr. Chandra Sekar, Engineer constructed the building.
“Go upto the mountain and bring wood and build the temple that I may take pleasure in it and be glorified” says the Lord (Haggai 1:8) became true when Mr. Franklin Pandian donated Rs.1 lakh for making an attractively carved teak wood pulpit, Mr. Gopinath Samuel contributed Rs. 85,000/- for making altar table and Mrs. Mary Ragland gave Rs. 25,000/- for making scripture reading table. Apart from the above Mr. Kennedy Peter provided Altar Screen, Illuminated Bible verse, Carpet and the other members gave 30 teak wood benches and 14 electric fans for the Church. These embellishments were dedicated by our Bishop who also offered prayers for Rev. Dr. Y. John Bashkar who completed 25 years of pastoral service.
Women’s Fellowship
The members of women’s fellowship meet every second Sunday of the month under the presidentship of Pastoramma to plan and work different outreach programmes. Every year a joint prayer fellowship held for the entire Sathuvachari women and in 2005 Vellore Union of Women’s Fellowship Celebrated Christmas under the Chairmanship of our Bishopamma. A one day Retreat of women’s Fellowship was also held in Deenabandhupuram. The Vellore Union of Women’s Fellowship organized a one day celebration with the chairmanship of our Bishopamma. The Treasurer Mrs. Lysa Baskar and the Secretary Rev. Mrs. Leela Rajanandam of the Diocesan Women’s Board also participated in the celebration.
Men’s Fellowship
In the annals of our Church history the Men’s Fellowship was first inaugurated on 05-12-2008 and it was blessed by the Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Y.William. The men’s Fellowship of our congregation meets on every third Sunday. It is also worth mentioning here that the fellowship shared the expenses incurred and participated in the Christmas Celebration and the gypsies ministry.
Youth Fellowship
The members of youth fellowship meet every fourth Sunday of the month. They also participate in the conduct of VBS, Sunday School and Sports and Games on special occasions besides involving in Church decoration and choir practices. All Churches Youth Fellowship Retreat was also held on 29-06-2008 when Mr. Joseph, Awakening Ministry brought the word of God in a powerful manner.
Anniversary Celebration
The celebration of Church Anniversary Day began on 02-07- 1983 and later every year we commemorate the day in the month of July as the Dedication Day of the old Church and a fellowship dinner is provided for all from the general fund. Right from 26-01-2001 every 26th January was observed as the dedication day of the New Church and during this day special message, musical event and fellowship dinners become regular features. The congregational Retreats were also organised in Yelagiri, Yercaud, Snehadeepam and Pravaham.
Evangelism
When Gospel was proclaimed after the dedication of the Church building for the neighbours, there was much opposition and animosity prevailed due to the extremists living in and around the Church. But the Lord enabled us to organise and conduct evangelistic outreach meetings, Gospel meetings and prayer fellowship meetings regularly. The Church also sponsored Mr. Ezra to be our missionary in South Nandiyalam. We have also organised prayer Cells in the homes of members, Churches and in other places for spiritual nurture among God’s people.
The Church identified a village near RUHSA called Gemmankuppam for evangelism in the year 2009. Every year Vocation Bible School (VBS), Christmas Cheer, Free note book distribution, free medical eye camps were conducted. In the year 2011 a piece of land (50 cents) was purchased and started constructing a Church, the same was dedicated by our Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. A.Rajavelu under the guidance and hard work of Rev. Dr. Y.James Prakasam, Presbyter in charge.
Ministry and Mission works from June 2009 to January 2013
The period between 2009 and 2013 remains significant under the experienced and dynamic leadership of the Rev. Dr. Y.James Pragasam who assumed the pastoral responsibility of the Church in St. Paul’s Church in 2009 and gave new thrust and impetus to the ministry and mission works of the Church by infusing a sense of involvement in all congregational members. Laying of marble stone with an approximate cost of Rs. 7 lakhs, identification of Gemmankuppam village for outreach, new focus in the conduct of VBS and Sunday School programme, distribution of school stationary for poor and needy students, Christmas cheer with gifting of clothes to poor people, regular house visits and cottage prayer meetings and convention meetings were accomplished with immense satisfaction for the glory of the God. A piece of 50 cents land for Rs.2.5 lakhs was purchased and registered in the name of CSITA in Gemmankuppam for construction of Church building in April 2012 and the Church Building at an estimate of Rs. 25 lakhs was dedicated and declared open in October 2012 by the Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. A.Rajavelu with the services and blessings of Rev. Dr. James Pragasam.
Every year in the month of December the NMS Hostel inmates were visited and provided with special fellowship lunch as a part of Christmas celebrations. Apart from the above leadership training for the PC members, women’s fellowship, youth fellowship, men’s fellowship, Sunday school teachers and catechists were rejuvenated with greater focus. Weekly Bible study and retreats involving all groups of members became regular features and brought rich dividends for all in the congregation.