Oldest churches of Mysuru celebrate anniversaries

Mangalore Today News Network

Mysuru, Feb 25, 2016: Mysuru’s oldest churches - 145-year-old Wesley Cathedral and 116-year-old YesuKarunalaya - celebrated their anniversaries recently  by conducting special mass prayers.

These edifices are attached to CSI -Church of South India Trust Association,Wesley Cathedral on BN Road was built in 1871 and YesuKarunalaya near FTS Circle was constructed in 1900.

In his sermon at Wesley Cathedral, Rev Ravi Joseph, the Presbyterian-in charge of Holy Trinity Church in Ballari, recalled the contribution of Christian missionaries to the field of education, health and service, especially to aged persons and women. He said that many missionaries who arrived here have lost their lives and their family members in India while working for the betterment of humankind.

Claiming that CSI churches in Karnataka have a history of over two centuries, Ravi Joseph stated Holy Trinity Church in Ballari is 205-year-old.

On the occasion, local preachers were felicitated by the committee members of Wesley Cathedral.

Presbyterian-in charge Rev Gurushanth led the prayers at Wesley Church, and he was assisted by associate priest Rev Sujatha. At YesuKarunalaya, a special mass prayer was conducted by Rev Vasanthkumar.

Prior to British taking charge over the Mysore state in 1831, Christian missionaries from Wesleyan Missionaries Society arrived here (by 1821). Rev John Hachian of the Wesleyan Mission, who then served here, went to England on a sabbatical in 1863 to collect funds to build a church for native Christians. Later, Hachian was alloted land from the then maharajas of Mysore in 1868, and took up construction of Wesley Church, which was completed in 1871. The Cathedral was renovated and extended in 1906. Most of it is intact today.