VASUDEVANALLUR PASTORATE

St. Paul’s Church, Vasudevanallur

Vasudevanallur

St. Paul’ Church in Vasudevanallur that was extended and brought under Sivagiri Pastorate in Pottalpatti Circle is and an old Church that was in the Sankarankovil circle. During the times of presbyters Rev. Barren Brook and Rev.Ragland the members were worshipping in a tile roofed building.  When Jesudason Nadar in Kannanoor came forward to bear the cost of the church and it was built and dedicated on 3.3.1985 by the Rt.Rev. Jason S. Dharmaraj. The Church grew and so the church was extended and dedicated on 29.07.2012 by the Rt.Rev. JJ Christdoss.  The foundation for the Bell Tower was laid laid on 02.11.2012 by Rev. Kingsly John and work was completed in 2013.Since, in 01.04.2014 Vasudevanallur has become a independent Pastorate, the Rt.Rev. JJ Christdoss led the first Harvest Festival and dedicated the Bell Tower  on 21.03.2014.

PAUL’S CHURCH, RAMANATHAPURAM

Ramanathapuram was the first Christian in 1957 when Paalsamy became Paul Stephen and married Mary Thangathai.  The Presbyter from Pottalpatti used to come and celebrate Holy Communion service in Mr. Paul Stephen’s house.  Then Ramasamy Nadar who became Rajan joined the Church through his marriage. In 1979 the number increased and  four families were visited by the Pastorate Chairman  from Sivagiri once a month when Holy Communion was given.  In 1981 they rented a house and it was then Rev. Devaraj Gnanasingh acquired a piece of land for constructiing a church that was completed in 1993.  By then the church increased through Sunday services, fasting prayer & All night Prayers.

SARAVANAPURAM

This growing Church started its journey with families who worshipped in houses.  In 2002 foundation was laid for a church building.  Construction started in 2004 and work was completed in 2007.  Now there are seventeen families mainly from Hindu poojari families. 

SOKKALINGAPURAM

Chokkalingapuram

St. Peter’s Church in Sokkalingapuram comprises of a congregation zealous for the Lord in the midst of fanatic communities.  The Church started functioning in a rented house with six families, who were marginalised by the other villagers.  God found them faithful. A Church was built in 1937 and dedicated.  The front porch was completed in 1986.

PANAIYOOR

Panaiyoor

Even before 1940, St. James’s Church in Panaiyoor was functioning in a small hut along with a school for children.  Gradually the thatched hut was tiled.  With the efforts taken by Mr. J. Rathinasamy a church was built and dedicated by the Bishop. Jason S. Dharmarajon 14.06.1989, when Rev. P. Abraham Peter was Presbyter.

ZION TABERNACLE, DURAISAMYPURAM, IDAIKAL

The Christians in Duraisamypuram had been trekking to  Kadaiyanallur, Senkottai  and other places for worship.  Duraisamypuram is 7 Kms far from Zion Nagar Partorate in Tenkasi Circle.  In May 2010, a thatched tabernacle was erected in a rented piece of land and worship was started there by Rev. ID Stephen, North Church Council Chairman, Unfortunately in a few months the thatched shed were destroyed due to natural calamities and service was conducted in rented buildings. Later the elders in Zion Nagar donated money and bought a 5 cent land. A church was built and dedicated by the Bishop Rt.Rev. JJ Christdoss.

EAST PARAPADI PASTORATE

Anna Nagar

ANNA NAGAR

Parappadi village is situated in the Nanguneri – Tisayanvillai road about 11km from Nanguneri. In Parappadi a Government High School is functioning at Annanagar.     People had to attend their worship at Holy Trinity Church, Parappadi. During Rev. SAE Joshua’s period as Pastorate Chairman of Parappadi, fervent prayers and frequent visits of Ms. Kaniammal and Ms. Swarnarathnam brought in a worship center in the house of one Mr. Rasalaiyan.  This continued for one and half years.  On 15^th of August 1993 a thatched roof shed of 15’ x 8’ was constructed in the locality and worship service was conducted.  On 31^st August 1993 the first Communion Church was conducted by Rev. Jebamoney and the church was named as  Marurooba Alayam.  This continued for next five years with morning and evening services conducted regularly.  13 families took part in the services.

In 1998 September, 22^nd during the tenure of Parappadi East Pastorate Chairman Rev. S. V. Appadurai Gnanaraj, the foundation stone was laid by Chairman of South Council of Churches Rev. V. Vedhamuthu Ponraj.   Since the locality of the church was in common market place efforts were taken with the then Collector Mr. Niranjan Madi to get approval for 7.2 cents and permit was obtained for church building.  Following philanthropists contributed for the construction of the church along with members of the church who contributed their mite.

•    V.V.Sugumar of Thisayanvillai – Rs. 3,00,000
• Alex Edward of Shalom Hospital, Parappadi – For Alter and Flooring
• D. Premsingh Premdurai – for Chruch Bell and lands surrounding the Church
• Raja Bakthsingh – Rs. 50,000

On 29^th May, 1999 the church building was completed and it was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Jason Dharmaraj, Bishop in Tirunelveli.  In 2012 under the Bishop Rt.Rev.Dr. JJ. Christudoss the church was declared as Parappadi East (Annanagar) Pastorate as the head quarters of all eight churches in Parappadi East locality with Rev. ARGST Barnabbas as the Presbyter. Those churches are :

1. Parappadi East (Annanagar)
2. Veppangulam
3. Colony
4. Kamarajanagar
5. Sadainneri
6. Kailasanathapuram
7. Inthangal
8. Malayankudiyiruppu

In the tenure of Rev. John Samuel foundation stone was laid for a 1140 sq.ft. Parsonage and Mr. M.  Samuelraj and family took charge of constructing it and the work is in progress.

Catechists who served:

1. A. Tharmaraj Jacob : 1993-94
2. D. Bakthasingh Daniel Mathivannan : 1994-96
3. A. Samuel Rajasingh Arul : 11.11.1996 –

Deacons who served :

1. D. G. Charles : 2012-13
2. S. Augustine : 2013-14
3. J. Richard Samuel : 2014 –

Presbyters :

1. AGST Barnabbas : April 2012 – May 2013
2. V. John Samuel : May 2013 –

RESURRECTION CHURCH, AINTHANGAL 

Resurrection Church,
Ainthangal

Ainthangal is a location Nanguneri – Viyayanarayanam Road 2.5km from Navy INS Kattabommban camp.  Vijanarayanam kulam receives water through five canals and hence the place gets the name Ainthangal.

Long time ago it is told that a team of Christians from Nazareth stayed in the village for one week and evangelized in the area. Then a Missionary from Nazareth performed ministry there.   This was followed by the family of Mr. Michael Raj from Vadivaalpuram stayed in the village and evangelized there.

Then a British Missionary encouraged the converts to construct a church there. In 1919 foundation stone was laid but construction was sluggish. This again started by 1929 upto lintel level and stopped for want of funds.  Since five families joined the church worship services were conducted in a school building.  The roof and floor construction was again revived during the period of Rev. M.K. Israel Thanaraj in 1978.   Mr. M. Israel, Catechist and few teachers of the Parappadi School assisted in the construction work.  On 15^th April 1979 on the day of Easter the church was dedicated to Resurrected Lord’s Glory by Rt. Rev. Daniel Abraham, Bishop in Tirunelveli and the church was named as Resurrection Church (Uyirthezhuthalin Aalayam). In 2008 the Church front Tower was constructed and dedicated by Rev. Augustin Gnanaraj.

At present there are 25 families members in the church of which 7 families are staying elsewhere for their work. Mr. Mohan Justin is the Catechist at present. The following is the list of Catechists:

1. Michael Raj
2. Anonymous
3. Gnanaya
4. M. Israel – 1978 – 96
5. Mohan Justin – Since 1996
   

   St. Paul’s Church, Sadayaneri.

 ST. PAUL’S CHURCH, SADAYANERI

Sadayaneri is a primitive village situated six kilometers in the north-east of Parappadi East Church. European Missionaries Rev. C.J. Renius and Rev. Edward Seargent ministered in this village during 1847-49 and 1843-52 respectively.  In July 1849 the church was formed by Rev. D. Yesudasan of Suvisheshapuram church and took over as the fifth Presbyter. The first baptism took place on 10^th September, 1856 for three persons and in 1860 for two more persons.  This initiative led to construction of a thatched shed was constructed for worship.   In 1875 a thatched roof church was constructed. In 1880 a missionary home was constructed. By 1990 there were 10 male and 5 female congregates attended the worship.  In 1915 a tile roofed church was constructed in the third step.

During the period of Rev. V. A. David, in 1925 they mobilized allotment of 1 acre and 50 cents of land around the church. During the tenure of Rev. I. J. Iyyadurai, on 3^rd July 1929 this church was rededicated by Rt. Rev. Western, Bishop of Tirunelveli Diocese as the fourth church. In 1971 there was migration of many members to other churches. In 2005 under Rev. P.D.Muthuraj the church was further extended and rededicated for the  5^th time by Rt. Rev.S Jayapaul David.

List of Catechists :

1. Name not known
   

   St. Thomas Church, Kailasanatharpuram

2. Thomas 1944-54
3. Tharmaraj Joseph 1954-1971
4. S. J. Pandian 1971 – 1997
5. Mani 1997-2007
6. S. J. Pandian 2007                                                                                                                            ST. THOMAS CHURCH, KAILASANATHAPURAM                                                       Kailasanathapuram is a hamlet situated in 8 km North East of  Parappadi East Chruch.  This place is also called by few as kulathukudiyiruppu.  It is believed as per the oldest believer Mr. T. Stephen that Christianity took roots in the village 100 years ago and the worship was conducted near his grandfather’s house in a thatched hut which can be claimed as the first church.  One day a cyclone carried away all the thatch roof leaves.  They used the left out palmariah beams to expand a school in a nearby village called as Peria Nadar kudiyiruppu where they also conducted church services on Sundays. This is considered as the second church.  After few years with the encouragement given by members of Parappadi church who visited the village for Full Moon night ministry they once again built a thatched roofed church at the present location in this village so that they can worship here. This is the third church.  Since 1966 the elders M/s Arulappa, Yovaan, and Thavamani took initiative to construct a pacca church but it was sluggish because of financial crisis.  This was actually completed in 1968 and it was dedicated on 18^th December 1968 by  Rt. Rev.AG Jebaraj, Bishop in Tirunelveli.  This is the fourth church. Since it was dedicated near St. Thomas Day the church also bore the name of St. Thomas Church.  After forty years of its inception with increase of members the church was expanded and rededicated by Rt. Rev.S Jayapaul David on 27^th May 2008.  At present 10 families are attending the service and the Catechist is Mr. Rajkumar.
   

   Christ Church, Colony

   List of Catechists :

   1. Not Known
   2. Thomas
   3. Joseph
   4. Samuel
   5. C. Rajkumar – 1997                                                                                                                                                                CHRIST CHURCH, COLONY
   6. This locality was allotted to Srilankan Refugees by Government and situated in Nanguneri – Thisayanvillai root. Evangelical work in this colony was started by Ms. Vimala of Emankullam in Parappadi Pastorate which yielded  in conversion of three families. The Tirunelveli Diocesan wing REAPHART also sent missionaries to this area.  During the period of Rev. D. K, Stephen a land was procured for church construction.  With the prayer support of the church members and the efforts of Mr. Titus, Mr. Star Jagendran and Mr. Simon a thatched shed was constructed in the land sold by Mr. P.Jeyaraj for low value and contributions from Ms. Vimala, Ms. Ponthilakar (Nazereth) Rs.10,000 each.  The work was finished on 1^st October 2006 and the regular worship was conducted with Mr. A. Samuel Rajasingh Arul as Catechist.  During the same period of Rev. D.K. Stephen foundation was laid for church construction on 12^th August 2008.  The Family of Mr. Raja of Emankulam contributed for the church construction.  On 1^st June 2010 the church building was completed and it was dedicated to God’s Glory by Rt. Rev. Dr. J.J. Christdoss, Bishop in Tirunelveli. At present seven families attend worship with Mr. Joyson Gunaraja as Catechist.                                                                                BETHESDA CHURCH, VEPANKULAM                                                                                                                                        Veppankulam is a village 2 km from Parappadi.  There were few converts due to the Evangelical Ministry of Parappadi Church members. Worship was conducted in the house of one Ms. Seethaiammal since 2004 during period of Rev. P.D.Muthuraj.  In 2006 during the period of Rev. D.K.Stephen, Mr.Jeremiah donated a portion of land for church construction in which a thatched shed church was built with the donation from Ms. Rebecca who gave her gold ornaments. After few years this shed was also damaged and since 2008 the services were conducted in the house of Mr. Abraham. In this period four adults and one child were baptized.Since believers from three villages congregated it was decided to locate a common place for worship and Mr. Alan Jacob of Parappadi Church donated a portion of a land of 10 cents. In that place Rev. D. K. Stephen laid foundation for a new church. On 01.06.2010 the new church was dedicated to the Glory of God by Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. J.J. Christdoss. Now 15 families from Vepangulam and Pandichery villages assemble for worship. At present the Catechist is Ms. Pushpakala Jeyaseelan, Presbyter is Rev. John Samuel. List of Catechists :
      1. Chelladurai – Parappadi East (Annanagar) 2. Pushpalatha – Parappadi          

         CSI St. JOHN’S CHUCH

         MALAYANKUDIYIRUPPU

         Malayankudiyiruppu is a village situated 4km away from Valliyur – Thiruchendur road.   Few Malayalees from Kerala stayed there for agriculture in the past and hence the place was named as Malyalee kudiyiruppu and changed to Malayankudiyiruppu.  The first missionary in this place was Mr. S. Thaveedu.  He was from Srilanka and did ministry in many parts of Tirunelveli and finally settled at Malayankudiyiruppu and did ministry in thatched shed till his in 1900 and buried there and his grave is still identified as a monument.  During his tenure the worshipers used come prepared with food on Saturday itself so that they could join Mr. Thaveedu and go in for evangelizing surrounding villages.

         After his demise there were frequent quarrels between this village with people of surrounding villages.  The believers prayed earnestly outside the church and for a sign to confirm peace with surrounding villages.  As they were praying the locks on the church door were miraculously opened.  After this incident there was great peace established with their neighbours.

         During 1910 the place was evangelized by few missionaries from Parappadi and Suvisheshapuram leading to construction of a renewed thatched shed church for worship. Few renowned people of the church who joined the ministry were Mr. Jacob, Mr. Rajayyah and Mr. Aseervatham.   Mr. Rajayaah who is 110 years old and alive now narrated all these details.

         Church Details :

         1. First Thatched shed : ~ 1910
         2. Church with Stone work : 30.10.1929
         3. Present renovated Church : 30.05.2002 (Dedicated by Rev. Simson Sigamony during the period of Rev. S.V. Appadurai Gnanaraj)
         4. Tower dedication : 23.05.2003 (Dedicated by Bishop Rt. Rev. Jason Dharmaraj during the period of Rev. S. V. Appadurai Gnanaraj and Mr. Aseervatham as Catechist
         5. At present 51 families are members of the congregation of which 30 families are temporarily migrated to other places for job.

         List of Catechists :

         1. S. Thaveedu – Srilanka
         2. Ponnaiah – Malayankudi
         3. Yovel – Moolaikaraipatti
         4. Joseph – Yemankulam
         5. James – Parappadi
         6. Ponniah – Katakshapuram
         7. Gnanasigamani – Suvisheshapuram
         8. Jebamani
         9. Vincent – Thengalam

         KAMARAJ NAGAR                    

         

         Kamaraj Nagar

                                                                                                                                                 

         Kamaraja Nagar village is situated at 3 km south of Parappadi East on Nanguneri – Thisainvillai road.  It was named after National Leader Kanaraj after his to this place  and their request. It is believed that in 1960/61 the church had its beginning in a shed for Khadi Spinner.  They started with night prayers in the street corner which later became a worship center at the shed with Mr. Gnanaiah as the Catechist.

         In 1968 the foundation stone for a church was laid under the period of Rev. Samuel Jayaraj with Mr. Joseph Swamikkan as the Catechist who took the entire cost of construction of the church. This church was dedicated by Bishop of Tirunelveli Diocese Rt. Rev. Garret. It was rededicated by Rt. Rev. Dr. J.J.Christudoss, Bishop in Tirunelveli during the tenure of Rev. ARGST Barnabbas as the presbyter. 28 families were attending the church with Mr. Y. Selwyn as the Catechist.

         Catechists :

         1. Gnanaiah
         2. P. James
         3. Y. Selwyn
         4. Jacob
         5. Y.Selwyn