The church’s history is best understood through several distinct beginnings: the early mission and school, the chapel of 1829, the resident Tamil ministry in 1860 and the church building dedicated in 1935. Together they tell a continuing story of Christian witness at St. Thomas Mount.
Milestones in our history
Early Wesleyan mission
Wesleyan Methodist missionary work in Madras provides the wider setting for the church’s origins.
School and preaching
A Tamil school at St. Thomas Mount was used for preaching in English and Tamil.
The Wesleyan Chapel
A Wesleyan Chapel was established on land gifted by Mrs. Isacke. A school was also built.
Resident Tamil ministry
In May 1860, Rev. Josiah Evers became the first resident Tamil minister, marking the formal beginning of the Native Church within the Wesleyan mission.
A church on Butt Road
Following construction during 1932–1935, the new Wesleyan Tamil Church was dedicated in 1935.
The Church of South India
The formation of the Church of South India brought together several Protestant traditions, including the Methodist tradition to which this congregation belonged.
Renovation and extension
The church was renovated and extended, retaining the altar, dome and ceilings. The bell tower was recreated, a balcony added and the worship space enlarged.
A living legacy
The renewed church continues a story that reaches beyond its buildings. Recent activities have included campus improvement, gospel ministry, media work and community service through medical camps, blood donation and support for education.
Preserving the past also means caring for the records that explain it: photographs, mission publications, church documents and the memories of the congregation.
Documenting our heritage
An English church history was published through the Christian Literature Society in May 2025, co-authored by Rev. Wellington Jesudoss and Neil Jeyaharan. The Tamil souvenir completed in July 2026 records the church’s story for Tamil readers.
Reading the dates carefully
1829 refers to the earlier Wesleyan Chapel; 1860 identifies the formal beginning of the resident Tamil church ministry; 1935 marks the dedication of the later church building. These dates describe different stages of the same heritage.