St. Paul’s Church, the first Tamil Anglican Church in the erstwhile Mysore State (now called Karnataka) came into existence when in the year 1835 the Missionaries and the Congregation of the then St. Mark’s Church (SPG) in association with the S.P.G Mission Society felt the need to build a separate church for the Tamil speaking natives residing in the Black Pally and the adjoining areas. Rev. G. Trevor, the then chaplin of St. Marks, in a small way, started the work of a Tamil parish in 1838.
The construction was completed within 6 months after the first stone was laid on 5th August, 1839 and the church was consecrated by Lord Bishop of Madras the Rev. George Trevor Spencer, D. on the 31st March 1840 with the name of “The Mission Church of St. Paul ” who particularly expressed that it is dedicated for Divine service in the native language only (i.e Tamil only). From then on it was on straight on for the “Spiritus Gladius” with the Rev. S. J. Joshua – SPG taking over as its First Parish Priest.
As per record the total cost for the building of the church was Rs. 1250.14 (about 125 Pounds) and of a school room in the church yard was Rs. 89.8. Rev. Samuel William Coulthrop was ordained and licensed to the spiritual charge for the native congregation of the Church. The Tamil service commenced on the Sunday following (5 April, 1840) with the congregation doubling up to average about eighty and fifty at the weekday lecture, and has been continued without interruption with morning prayers being said daily at half past seven along with full services with sermons on Sundays at half past 10 am and at half past 4 pm also on Thursday evenings. The church was visited by Mr. Trevor for the sacraments of Baptism or the Lord’s Supper. Since then, the church has played a prominent and useful role in the lives of its members.
The church underwent several modifications and extensions to result in what it stands now as many Tamil Christians especially those who love the Anglican Tradition joined our church. The first extension was in 1901 with the stone tablet fixed at the Baptistery (North-End) to mark the extension on 7th March 1901, the second in 1936 with the stone tablet fixed on 13th April 1936, on the Western facade of the church (Vestry), and the third in 1947 with the foundation stone found on the South-end. In appreciation of our Mothers Union for playing a prominent role in raising funds for the third extension, a rectangular brass plate fixed beside the arch of the Sanctuary on 29th June 1950. Apart from these a portico adjoining the western facade of the church was constructed and dedicated on 31st October 1993, with a side portico on the North side added in the year 2009.
The church celebrated its following anniversaries: Centenary anniversary in the year 1940 during the Presbytership of Rev. R. Ezekiel. The 125th year anniversary in the year 1965 during the Presbytership of Rev. Paramanandam. The 150th year anniversary in the year 1990 under the Presbytership of Rev. J. Saduri and the 175th anniversary in the year 2015 under the Presbytership of Rev. D. John Milton. A Postal Cover was released to mark the 175th anniversary.
A hundred and eighty two years have gone by, but the Red and White coloured Gothic styled Church has stood the test of time and stands majestically as a witness to the glorious past. The church is kept open for people of all faiths symbolizing hope, faith and deliverance. It is a haven of solace and strength to all people, who rush to the church with tears and anxieties, to pray for the lives of their near and dear ones who are involved in severe accidents, suicide attempts, critical and complicated confinement case and the terminally ill patients admitted in the Bowring Hospital.
We thank and praise the Almighty for the services of 35 Priests and Deacons, who have served in our church and honoured the decision in various respects of our fore-fathers, who dedicated this church for “Divine Service”.
