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Location: Mysore Road, Ooty
Consecrated On: November 5, 1830
Famous As: One of the oldest Churches the Nilgiris
The St. Stephen's Church, located on the Mysore road, near the
Collectorate,is one of the oldest churches in the Nilgiris. It dates
back to the days of Rt. Hon'ble Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the |
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then Governor of Madras, who keenly felt the need
for a cathedral exclusively for the British, in Ooty.He laid the
foundation for the church on April 23, 1829, to coincide with the
birthday of King George IV. St. Stephen's Church was consecrated by
Rt. Rev. Turner, Bishop of Calcutta, on November 5,1830,and was
given the name of the Governor since he was the driving force behind
it. It was thrown open to public communion on Easter Sunday-April
3,1831.
An Inside View
The church has a fine pew with a raised chancel. There are
stained-glass painting on the eastern side as well as behind the
chancel depicting Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms and the
crucifixion of Christ among others. On the Western wall, above the
panelled doorways, is a large life-like painting of the Last Supper.
The vestry is in the cellar down the chancel. The pulpit is on the
left of the chancel and attached to it is a small flight of steps. A
pleasant surprise awaits one in the attic of the third tier of the
church. Here, instead of the big metallic bell, one comes across
novel but antique hammer like structures (four in number) tied on to
inverted "V" Shaped planks, with ropes. There are four thick iron
bars on the Eastern as well as the Western side screwed on to thick
wooden beams and they hang from above at different heights in a
slanting fashion, and face each other. There are pulleys attached
with solid wires, which operate the hammers, and which reach the
ground floor through the gaps in between the planks on the floor.
The entire structure is housed on a tall, sturdy stool, which is
open on all the fourth sides. When the wires are pulled from the
floor, a rhythmic musical sound is produced.
Church Facts
In 1947 it came under the Church of South India.It bestows pastoral
care not only on the local parish but also on the member of the
planting community.The chaplain holds services regularly in the tea
estates. An Anglo-Indian orphanage was maintained for long but it
was wound up with the starting of the St.George Home in Keti.
For the first time, an Indian chaplain, Rev. M. Dorai was appointed
in June 1981. Till then it was the British who were chaplains. The
last British chaplain was Rev. John White. The 150th anniversary of
the church was celebrated in April 1981.
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