Pioneer Mylaudy Christians and Three Milestone Churches : Mylaudy LMS Church, Nagercoil Home Church,Trivandrum Christ Church,in Travancore . Part --B

Introduction :  Christ Church at Palayam , Trivandrum is one of the pioneer and milestone churches in Travancore [Now Kerala State] and also closely and crucially connected with the religious, social, educational, cultural   and political history of Travancore. And  this significant and historical Christ Church at Palayam , Trivandrum was closely connected with the Pioneer Christians of Mylaudy.

Christian David of Mylaudy was sent to Trivandrum : :Mr. Christian David of Mylaudy who was  a close relative of Poet John Palmer was teaching at the Nagercoil Seminary and he  was sent to Trivandrum as Munshi to Col. Campbell by the L.M.S missionary Rev. Charles Mead .During this period of time a Government Printing Press was established at Trivnadrum in 1834  and for the same Charles Mead brought many Tamil Christians to Trivandrm from Nagercoil area,  who were formerly working at the LMS Press, Nagercoil At this period of time so many Tamils were working as domestic servants in the homes of the European officers in Trivandrum. Mr.Christain David  was working as a Tamil Munshi to Capt. R.N. Campbell and also as a Clerk at the Government Press at Trivandrum  At this period of time Mr Christian David who was a well educated and respectable member of the Church of England Congregation in Trivandrum, collected the scattered Tamil Christians in Trivandrum together and started to conduct regular Divine Services in his own house at Trivandrum,[Ibid]. This infant Tamil Congregation  and Mr . Christian David were brought to the knowledge of the then British Resident Col. Frazer by Capt . Campbell. Col. Frazer authorized Mr Christain David to hold Christian divine services in Sundays in the Old Church, Trivandrum...From this time onward regular Tamil divine services were conducted on every Sunday and the English Chaplains when they paid monthly visit to Trivandrum administered the Sacrament of the Lord's Super to the Native Tamil Christians together with the English Congregation members.

A Preliminary English school was opened in Trivandrum : Chaplain Revd Mr. Rowlandson opened a preliminary English School at the suggestion of Mr Christian David at Cantonment , in Trivandram atttached to the Chaplaincy and Mr Christian David was appointed as School Master of this new School. .This school progressed well and became the feeding school to H.H the Maha Rajah's free school in Trivandrum 

The foundation Stone for Christ Church,Trivandrum was laid in1858   There was no Church in Trivandrum for the exclusive use of the members of the Church of England so in order to meet their reasonable demand, the foundation stone was laid on the 13th December,1858 by General Cullen in he midst of large sea of people.H.H.The First Prince Rama Vurmah  also accidentally happened to be present on the occasion. CM Agur writes  that a bottle with a 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 Christ  Church was consecrated on the 15th November 1859 by Bishop Dealtry under the name of "Christ Church.   Thus  Mr Christian David of Mylaudy became a part and parcel of the history of Christ Church, Trivandrum

                                                       

                                       A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF CHRIST CHURCH, TRIVANDRUM




Trivandrum, Christ Church and Members of Maharasan Vethamonickam's family :  Mr Christian David  of Mylaudy was  in charge of the Tamil Divine Service held in Christ Church, Trivandrum .No doubt Christian David  was one of the founding fathers of Trivandrum Christ Church. .. Unfortunately while attending a funeral Mr Christian David  suddenly seized with apoplexy and died on the 14th of April,1860. Following his death the conduct of the  Tamil  service was taken over  by Christian David's cousin Mr John Palmer .. Mr Devavaram Biddulph [ The  father of Mrs Lois Biddulph Mead ] after his retirement from the L.M.S Mission settled in Trivandrum with his son-in-law  and patron Rev Charles Mead and for several years Mr. Devaram Biddulph was in charge of the Native Congregation of Christ Church, Trivandrum and Mr Devaram's  Sunday Tamil Sermons were the attraction of many Christians in those days [Ibid, p. 1091]. Mr.  Devaram Biddulph assisted by his cousin Poet Mr. John Palmer conducted prayer meetings in the houses of  the members of the Trivandrum Christ Church . Mr Devaram. Biddulph after nearly 10 years of active Church related  service in Trivandrum died on the 28th December1874, and his body had been interred at the Christ Church Cemetery, Trivandrum

Many pioneer Christians  belonging to the family of Mylaudy Maharasan Vethamonickam  played important roles in the affairs of the Christ Church,Trivandrum. Mr. John Palmer and his son Mr Abel Palmer and his family members,  Mr. Packaianathan Darmakan [ Government Instructor and father -in-law of Mr Cephas Peter] , Mr. Christian David and his family members, Mr. Devaram Biddulph and his family members, Mr. C.M Agur and his family members , Mr Mr. S. Samuel [ he was  a State Map Surveyor , Government of Travancore ] and his family members and  some others were some of the active members  Trivandrum Christ Church from Maharasan Vethamonickam's family. In this context and  connection it is appropriate to mention that  the wife of Mr C. M Agur, Mrs Joanna Carlotta Mead Agur [ Daughter of Rev Charles Mead] served as an efficacious Organist , at Trivandrum Christ Church.
Mr. S. Samuel served Christ Church as one of its Deacons in a distinctive manner and Mr S. Samuel's son Mr. Sant Theophilus Devaraj  was christened on the 6th April 1897 at Christ Church Trivandrum by Revd. Brag and Mr . Abel Palmer [ a son of Christian Poet Mr John Palmer] was the God-father of Theophilus Devaraj. Later Mr Theophilus Devaraj married Miss Rachel Peter  [a granddaughter of Mr Daniel Paramanadam Deacon of Nagercoil Home Church ] .. Mr S. Samuel's daughter Jesunesam's christening was also held at Christ Church , Trivandrum on 21st November , 1899 , Tuesday 4.30 p.m., and Jesunesam was baptised by Rev.Mathan and Mr John William Palmer was her God-father .Interestingly Mr. S Samuel's daughter Jesu Nesam's marriage was held at Christ Church , Trivandrum on the 26th April, 1917 with Mr D.M. Jesudasan [Mr. D.M. Jesudasan was a  teacher at the Scott Christian High School , Nagercoil] and the marriage was solemnized by Rev, J, I. Abraham, Trivandum.. Thus the members of Maraharasan Vethamonickam's family members were closely and distinctively connected with the establishment and progress of Trivandrum Christ Church.[Reference: Notes found in an old English Bible used by Mr. S. Samuel }

Conclusion:   The bodies of Mr Devaram Biddulph , Mr. John Palmer, Mr . Christian David , Mr. C.M. Agur and some others from Maharasan Vethamonickam's family had been buried in the Christ Church Cemetery Trivandrum. along with the outstanding  and historical personalities of the times. Thus the pioneer Christians belonging to Maharsan Vethamonickam's family played a pivotal role in the administrative and religious affairs of Christ Church Trivandrum.. The walls , the foundation stone, the history and the Cemetery of Christ Church, Trivandrum  are crucially , closely, historically and emotionally connected with the pioneer Christians of Mylaudy  Maharasan Vethamonickam's family.

By . P. BABU MANOHARAN, M. A,  .{ The rights are reserved. This Article will be altered , corrected and modified later if needed }

Pioneer Mylaudy Christians and three Milestone Churches[ Mylaudy LMS Church, Nagercoil Home Church, Trivandrum Christ Church ]; in Travancore" -Part A

Introduction : Mylaudy Christians belonging to Maharasan Vethamonickam's family played a remarkable part in establishing some of the pioneer milestone Protestant Churches in Travancore.The LMS  Churuh at Mylaudy[1809 ] , The Home Church, at Nagercoil and Christ Church at Trivandrum  are some of the pioneer and remarkable protestant churches in Travancore, built in 19th century and the pioneer Christians  belonging to Mr. Maharasan Vethamonickam's family played a laudable and pivotal part and role  in the establishment, management and growth of these milestone Churches

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LMS Church at Mylaudy[ 1809] : On arrival  to Mylaudy on the invitation of Maharasan Vethamonickam,  the LMS Missionary Ringeltaube wisely read the situation and context and  wrote a request letter to the Dewan of Travancore through the then British Resident Colonel Macaulay in 1809, for permission to construct a Church at Mylaudy [ A Hundred Years in Travancore by Rev.I.H Hacker, London 1908, page 24 ].The related permission was received in March 1809 from the Travancore Government and the foundation stone for the first Protestant Church was laid on Vethamonickam's land at   Mylaudy  and the Church building was completed and dedicated  in September in 1809 and in the opening service many pioneer Coverts were baptized and Lord's Communion Service was conducted[ Ibid p.25]. Following  the dedication service, MaharasanVethamonicakm was duly appointed as a Catechist by Mr Ringeltaube and he became  Ringeltaube's right hand man.

Mr. Ringeltaube supported by Mr Maharasan Vethamonickam established  the first 7 LMS churches in South Travancore[1806-1816]. During this period due to climate ,and hard work, Mr. Ringeltaube became very sick and as there was no European to succeed him, Ringeltaube finally entrusted his responsibility and work to  his faithful Native Assistant and co-worker , Mylaudy Maharasan Vethamaonickam and Mr Ringeltaube arrayed in his surplice and solemnly ordained  Maharasan Vethamonickam as his successor by the laying on of hands[  Ibid ,p. 28],.Thus the first Protestant Church in Travancore was built at Mylaudy in 1809 and this first Protestant  Church and the pioneer members of this historical milestone Church at Mylaudy played a pivotal role in the Travancore Protestant Church history.

Due to sickness Mr Ringeltaube decided to quit  the LMS service, and  before Mr Ringeltaube left Mylaudy he took with him Vedamonickam and paid his final visit to all the LMS Schools and exhorted the Masters to lead in the  right path the children entrusted to them. and they also visited each LMS Church and its adjoining villages and reminded the people of the truths in which they had been so long instructed and exhorted them to be faithful to the last. [CMA, CHT page 617]. For two years after the departure of Ringeltaube the crux of the LMS Misssion  work in South Travancore rested on the shoulders of Vethamonickam catechist who faithfully fulfilled his trust.
It is pertinent to mention here the Pioneer Christains of Mylaudy Church namely Masillamoni [Sivagurunathan] a nephew and the fellow pilgrim of Vethamonickam  to Chidambaram temple, was made Catechist  of  Tamarakulam and Etamboli congregations, and Vethamonickam's eledest son Devasahayam was the first catechist of Puthlam LMS Church. Similarly Son-in law of Mr Vedamonickam Mr. Packianathan rendered remarkable service to the LMS Mission in South Travancore. Vedamonickam's younger son Mr. Moses assisted the early missionaries  in the production of vernacular books. Moses was appointed as the Local Secretary of the South Travancore Religious and Tract Society by Rev Charles Mault. . The Great Christian poets and writers of Mylaudy namely Mr Devaram Biddulph[ Christian Poet and Native Assistant of Mr Charles Mead], Mr John Palmer [Christian Poet and Native Assistant of Rev Charles Mault] , Rev. C Massillamoni [Great Christian Writer and a grandson of Maharasan Vethamonickam and father of  Church Historian C.M.Agur] , C. M. Agur, B.A, and Mr. Christian David and a few others   had rendered valuable  and outstanding services for the cause of Christian Music, history ,education, social justice and spiritual awakening in Travancore and South India .

Home Church, Nagercoil [Foundation stone was laid in 1819] :  The famous LMS Missionary Rev. Charles Mead arrived  at Colachel in Travancore in December 1817 and he was welcomed by Catechist Vethamaonickam. and his little flock . Charles Mead stayed at Mylaudy at Ringeltaube's residence and did his evangelical work for some months but  Charles Mead wisely with great vision shifted the LMS Head quarters from Mylaudy to Nagercoil in the interest of the LMS and established a Christian Seminary and a Christian Village near the Seminary with great planning and vision. . The Christian population was increasing day by day. Charles Mead felt and visualized the need for a large Church at Nagercoil and accordingly on 1st january ,1819, the foundation stone of the Nagercoil Home Church was laid. . Large donations were received from the Maharaja of Tanjore , the Raja of Cochin and also members of the Royal House of Travancore . H.H. the Ranee of Travancore gave the land, timber and stones free, for the construction of the Church. Mr Knill a classmate and friend of Charles Mead was given the honor and privilege to lay the foundation stone and  the foundation stone  was laid on the South Western Corner  of the Church building.[Agur p. 707]. The following people were also present when the foundation stone of Nagercoil Home Church  was laid on 1st January 1819, namely :Masillamani catechist[ Mylaudy] Mr. Devavaram Biddulph [ Mylaudy] Mr. Mosey [Mylaudy], Mr.Samuel Sawyer son of the late Mr. Sawyer of Palayamcottai, Mr. Sathianathan a Hindu convert of Mr Mead from Kottar , Mr.Kurshi Munro [a convert],Mr. Perinbanayagam and a few  other Christians from Atticaudu and Coilviley[Agur, p. 707]. CM Agur writes that ,the Nagercoil Home Church measures 140 ft by 70 ft. Its side walls are 19 ft high and the inner walls are about double that height. Nagercoil Home Church [Now C.S.I Home Church, Kanyakumaari Diocese] is definitely one of most magnificent and large protestant Churches of India even today .

The Natives of Mylaudy and Nagercoil Home Church:. The Nagercoil Home Church was intimately and historically connected with pioneer Christians belonging to MaharasanVethamonickam's family since its inception and the pioneer Christains of Mylaudy  played a pivotal role in  the spiritual, religious and administrative affairs of the Nagercoil Home Church. Maharasan Vethamonickam's brother's son Mr Devavaram Biddulph worked as a Native Assistant at the Nagercoil Home Church in the year 1822And Mylaudy Maharasan Vethamonicka'ms eleder brother's son Mr Masillamoni laboured as a Native Assistant to the Missionary-cum- Pastor of Nagercoil Home Church in the year 1824 in an efficient manner.  Maharasan Vethamonickam's younger son Mr Moses worked as a Native Assistant at the Nagercoil Home Church in the year 1828. Mr.Moses [jr] of Mylaudy also worked as Native Asistant  at the Nagercoil Home Church in 1850.. Maharasan Vethamonkickam's famous grandson Mr. C. Masillamoni also worked as a Native Assistant  to the Pastor at the Nagercoil Home Church during the period 1860-1866. Rev. C Massillamoni's father-in-law Mr Daniel Paramanandam also served Nagercoil Home Church as its first Deacon. . Moreover  Mylaudy Maharasan Vethamonickam's granddaughter's husband Mr N. Devadasan[ A Brahmin convert] worked as the first ordained Indian Pastor of Nagercoil Home Church  for about 8 years and died in 1874. 
By. P. BABU MANOHARAN .[  Part B will continue soon. This Article will be altered , modified and corrected if needed later . The rights are  reserved].