Unforgettable and Outstanding Visionary and Educationist Mr Christian David of Mylaudy. Part Final

There rose a need for an exclusive Church for Anglican Worship Service:   On 5th august , 1838 the first Protestant Church was built , and opened for worship under the initiative of Rev . Charles Mead, Col. Frazer and Rev John Cox at Cantonment , Trivandrum. It was mainly meant for the Europeans residing at Trivandrum subsequently Tamil Worship Service  for the natives began in this Church. The native Tamil worship service was started at Pattah and later shifted to Cantonment Church, where Rev Cox was conducting the English service. This Cantonment Church was known variously as the Trivandrum Protestant church, the Trivandrum Church and the Cantonment Chapel . Tamil and Malayalam services were held following the British Service . Since this Church Could not be appropriated for Anglican Divine Service, steps were taken to construct a new English Church [  Church of England ] at Trivandrum.

The Trivandrum Native Church and Mr Charles Mead and Mr Christian David: Mr Mead shifted to Trivandrum from Kanyakumari District in 1855, and he invited a number of  Christian families  from South Travancore [Kanyakumari district] to Trivandrum, and gave them employment in the various Government establishments under him .. Mr. Christian David  had been attending  the religious needs of the Tamil Christians in Trivandrum, for many years.. Really Christian David was a great Christian. Mr Charles Mead talked to the Chaplain and instituted regular Tamil service in the Chaplaincy and authorized Mr.Devavaram Biddulph [of Mylaudy ] and after him Mr.John Palmer [ of Mylaudy ] to conduct Tamil Services on every Sunday after the English service was over as successors of Mr Christian David. . Moreover Mr Mead took necessary initiative and steps to attach the Tamil Christians under his control to the Government Chaplaincy.

Mr. Christian David and  Rev. Charles Mead :   Mr. Charles Mead was made the first Superintendent of the Government District Schools and Vernacular Schools and also was made Superintendent of the Government Press at Trivandrum. From 1856 Mr Mead was a Member of the Government Museum Society. General Cullen transferred the Church of England Chaplaincy School to the control of Mr Charles Mead . Thus Mr Christian David  who was ably conducting the Church of England Chaplaincy School was placed under the administrative control of Mr Charles Mead. In his capacity as the Manager and Head  of the Chaplaincy School, Mr Charles Mead appointed the famous Tamil Christian Poet Mr. John Palmer [a cousin of Mr Christian David,] as an Assistant Teacher  in the Chaplaincy School.

Mr.Christian David and Christ  Church, Trivandrum :The foundation stone for the erection of a Church for the exclusive use of the members of the Church of England, was laid on the 13th December 1858, by General Cullen, the then British Resident , in the midst of a large gathering  of people , Christians and non- Christians; His Highness the First Prince Rama Varma[later he became Maharaja] too accidentally happened to be present on the occasion.A bottle with parchment containing the date of erection, the names of the leading officials in the State and full list of subscribers, European Christians headed by General Cullen , and native Christians  headed by Mr. Christian David was also deposited in the Foundation. The Church was consecrated on the 15th November 1859 by Bishop Dealtry under the name of Christ Church. Then on wards the members of the Church of England started to conduct their divine service at the Church , Trivandrum    Even today the Christ Church is considered as a historical monument in Trivandrum City. Christ Church in Trivandrum is not simply a Building but it is one of the most colorful and conspicuous social , political, religious and cultural monuments of  Trivnadrum and also it is a store house and source of many information and the history of Christ Church , Trivandrum fills some important chapters of the social, religious, educational and political history of Travancore.. It is really a great honor for the people of Mylaudy and South Travancore to learn that Mr Christian David's name had been deposited in the Foundation of  the historical Christ Church, Trivandrum. [Now this magnificent Christ Church , Trivandrum is an integral constituent of Madhya Kerala CSI Diocese.]




                           CHRIST CHURCH, PALAYAM, TRIVANDRUM [Built in 1859] 

Death of Christian David : Without rest Mr Christian David was working for the cause of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and  also for the cause of education and social justice . Physically he became very tired On the 14th April 1860 while attending a funeral, Mr Christian David was attacked by apoplexy and unexpectedly expired on the following day. On account of Mr Christian David's sudden death the Members of his Christian Congregation, friends and the  School boys of Chaplaincy English School, Trivandrum  were shocked with great grief and sorrow.

Conclusion :  Following the sudden death of Mr Christian David Mr. B. Comely was appointed as Church Clerk in his place, and also as Charge of the Chaplaincy English School; But soon the Chaplaincy  English School ceased to exist and by this time Government English District schools had been established . Tamil Service was taken up by Christian David's cousin Mr John Palmer. Mr.Christian David was a remarkable person. His life and services were linked and twined with the history of Protestant Church of Travancore. He was privileged to rub shoulders with Generals, British Residents, Great Missionaries,Government Officials, Intellectuals and so on..Mr. Christian David's glorious  travel from Mylaudy to Trivandtrum was a historical path flanked by many  proud and meaningful  milestones.
P. BABU MANOHARAN. [Rights reserved.- This article will be modified and altered later if needed.}