ALC Madras in 20th Century
Slow Growth from 1898 - 1912
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The Madras Congregation had not
increased much in the period 1892-1912. Only 31
non-Christians were baptized. The reason was that
the efforts were concentrated on winning the caste
people. The Home Board (Denmark) wanted an India
pastor to be appointed for the Madras Congregation
but it was difficult to find one until one K.S.
Krishnaswamy was chosen in 1905.
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Rev. K. S. Krishnaswamy ( 1909-1917)
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Rev. Krishnaswamy was an Iyengar
Brahmin by birth. While he was a student of Madras
Christian College, he got an overwhelming impression
of the greatness of Christ and became a Christian
in 1892. He studied theology at the seminary of
Scotch Mission. From 1901 he worked in the Reading
Room. In 1908 he was ordained as an assistant pastor
to Rev. Bittmann and later he was given independent
charge. He was a good preacher, and on account of
his birth he was able to move among people whom
other Christians could not contact. Because of weak
health he had to retire in 1917.
Mention must be made here about three India members
of the Broadway Congregation who distinguished themselves
in the public life in the first half of the 20th
Century.
Mr.Chakkari Chetty a Social reformer
Mr.Senchayya a theologian
Mr.Yethiraj Surendranath Arya a nationalist
of extremist views during India's struggle for freedom.
whom Rev. Bittmann met in a Jail and brought him
to the fold of Christ.
These three great men played an active role in the
Reading Room and in the congregation.
After Rev. Krishnaswamy, Rev. Johan Bittmann and
Rev. Heiberg served as pastors of the church. Rev.
Bittmann was also the chairman of the Indian Conference
of the Danish Missionary Society. Rev. Heiberg's
greatest service was that he registered all the
property documents and thus secured the properties.
After Rev. Heigberg only Indian pastors have been
incharge of the Broadway church. The first DMS pastor
in Madras was Rev. Krishnaswamy (1908-1917).
Rev. Dorairaj Peter (1945-1950) was working
as the secretary of the reading room and then he
was ordained and posted as pastor of the church.
It must be mentioned that Rev. Dorairaj Peter became
the first Bishop of the Arcot Lutheran Church
and he was the President of ALC for 20 long years.
After his death in 1999 he was laid to rest in the
church campus.
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During the second half of the 20th
century a few laymen played a great role in the
growth of Broadway congregation. Among them the
following were the leading lights of the congregation.
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| Mr. John Nallathambi
( who was also treasurer of ALC) |
| Mr. Cornelius Isaac |
| Mr. Anskar Isaac |
| Mr. R. J. Samuel ( who
was also local P.C Secretary for 20 years
and later Church Board secretary) |
| Besides them, the names of
Mr. D. Williams, Mr. Joseph Phanuel
and Mr. Narasimhan deserve mention
here. |
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They were all stalwarts in congregational
life providing leadership to the ALC Broadway community.
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Centenary in 1992(18th Dec'1992)
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The ALC, Broadway, completed its
hundredth year in December1992. As part of its centenary
celebrations, renovation of the church was undertaken
with the assistance of the Central Administration
and local contributions. It was almost a total renovation
with the tiled roof completely removed and concrete
roofing was done and the old tiled-roofing also
kept over it in order to preserve the original look.
Flooring was converted into a mosaic one replacing
the original glossy tiles flooring which was mostly
wornout. Entire wall plastering was scrapped out
and cement plastering done newly. The renovation
work was completed in November, 1994 and it has
strengthened the church building for another hundred
years.
A Dedication Service of the renovated church
was held on Sunday the 13th November
1994. The then Bishop of ALC, the
Rt. Rev.John Franklin dedicated the church
in the presence of the Bishops Emeriti of ALC, the
Rt. Rev. Dorairaj Peter, the Rt.Rev.M.Samuel,
and the Rt. Rev. John G.David and the DMS
Missionaries, Ms.Janne Garder and Ms.Ellen
Blaesbjerg. It was a joyous occasion for the
congregation.
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Centenary (1892-1992) Commemoration
Day
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| After
the dedication of the renovated Church, the
Centenary Commemoration Day was celebrated
on Sunday the 18th December, 1994 (
102nd Anniversary Day). On that occasion
the Rt. Rev. Dorairaj Peter named
the Broadway Church as
'Christ Jesus Church' and unveiled the
Centenary Commemoration Tablet and conducted
the Thanks giving Service. A grateful congregation
remembered all those missionaries, pastors
and members of the congregation who worked
for the growth of this congregation. |
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Street Children Project:
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On the Occasion of the
centenary Celebration, the congregation decided
to serve the community around. Therefore they started
a project for the welfare of the street children
who are found living in the Broadway area.This place
is a busy commercial center a good lot of people
mostly Dalits living on the pavement of broadway,
shelterless and in proverty. Therefore this project
was started with the financial assistence of Lutheran
World Federation ( LWF ), Geneva. Now the local
congregation maintaining this project. The project
is helping the street children in their educational
growth and creating social awarness in them. This
project has attracted Danish Volunteers and many
other oversees delegates. This functions under the
leadership of Prof. K. Jayasekaran.
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Congregation:
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The Madras Congregation
has grown today. The members of the congregation
are scattered all over the city. There are more
than 150 families and it has expanded its activities
under different fellowships like Men's Fellowship,
Women's fellowship, Youth fellowship, Junior Ministry,
Sunday school and Street Children Project. The Broadway
congregation is dynamic and vibrant always willing
to serve to the Glory of God and to the extension
of His Kingdom.
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