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 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.
St.
Stephen's Church
