St. Paul's Church, Chennai

January 25, 2009

St. Paul’s Church, Chennai

A commemorative postage stamp on the 150^th Anniversary of the CSI St. Paul‘s Church, Choolai, Madras :

Issued by India

Issued on Jan 25, 2009

Issued for : India Post is proud to issue a Commemorative postage stamp on St. Paul’s Church, Chennai whose gothic building stands as a testimony to the contribution the Church has made in the life of people in the area.

Credits :
Stamp & FDC : Suresh Kumar
Cancellation : Alka Sharma

Type : Stamp, Mint Condition

Colour : Multi colour

Denomination : 500 Paise

Stamps Printed : 0.4 Million

Printing Process : wet–offset

Printer : Security Printing Press, Hyderabad

About :

The imposing gothic structure of St. Paul’s Church, Chennai stands as a tribute to 150 years of its glorious existence. It has seen many tumults of time and has seen history unfold itself in all its hues. Like a light house it has shown the path of righteousness to many a soul travelling the high seas of life. It has held their tender hands and guided them to their destinations.
St. Paul’s Church, Chennai was constructed and dedicated to the service of the people on 19^th September 1858. Constructed over a piece of land purchased and donated by a benevolent lady Mrs. Anne Hill, it was designed by Rev. S. Percival. It took about 3 years to construct this beautiful monument with a brief interruption in 1856 due to severe storms in the area.
The influence of the Church grew steadily over the years with rising number of followers. Rev. Joseph Gnanavolivu took charge of the Church in April 1893 and he dedicated himself whole-heartedly to reform the congregation. He worked closely with the families in both their spiritual and their social well-being and finally laid his life as a martyr in 1897. To the existing Church, an additional clergy house and memorial tablet was added in his honour.
In the early year of 20^th Century, major renovations to the Church and reformation of the services it offered, were carried out. In 1927, vestries and portico were added and in 1933 electricity was brought in illuminating the church in all its glories. Electric fans were added much to the relief of followers from the sweltering summer of Chennai. In 1935 an altar, a verandah and rooms were added to parish hall.
Extension and renovation have been forever going on to the Church premises carried out by dynamic individuals who held charge of the Church administration. Major renovations were carried out in 1959, 1972, 1980, 1982 and 1993. The new lighting system was installed in Centenary year of the laying in the foundation stone in 1955. A children altar was built showcasing boyhood of Jesus mounted over the alter.
St. Paul’s Church of Chennai has had a glorious past with illustrious people associated with its management and functioning. It has served the spiritual needs of Christian community in the area all these years and has been growing in popularity over the years. The sesquicentennial celebration 150 years was celebrated on 19^th September 2007 in a grand manner.
Text : Based on material supplied by the proponent.