CITY CHURCHES RICH IN HISTORY
St. Thomas Church, Kutbiguda (1800), The Church of St John’s The Baptist, Secunderabad (1818), St Mary’s Basilica, Secunderabad, (1840) St George’s Church, Abids (1844), Holy Trinity Church, Bolarum (1847), All Saints Church, Tirmulgherry (1860), St Josep
TRACING THE EVOLUTION OF CITY CHURCHES
The twin cities, gearing up for Christmas, have some of the finest churches with historical and architectural importance, including a little known church in Jahanuma in the Old City that dates back to the 16th century.
The original structure of the over 400year-old Our Lady of Sorrows Church has been replaced by a new one, and includes a memorial, in the 17-acre St Marks Boys Town School premises, it has a cherished history.
The late Archbishop Mark Gopu gave this property to the Brothers of St Gabriel in 1955 who started an orphanage and constructed a church in the place of the old shrine in 1970. It has a beautiful statue of Our Lady of Sorrows, brought to India by Portuguese missionaries.
Going by historical evidence, the oldest church in Hyderabad was built by the French Army, while another one was built in the same period by the Portuguese army what is now Subhash Road near Mahankali Temple, in the premises of St Antony’s Girls High School, Secunderabad, according to Fr Aloysius Ephrem Raju Alex of St Joseph’s Cathedral, Abids. DURING A SEVERE DROUGHT, THE NIZAM ASKED A FRENCH PRIEST, WHO USED TO LIVE IN A CAVE TO PRAYER FOR RAIN. HE AGREED ON THE CONDITION THAT THE NIZAM WOULD PROVIDE LAND FOR THE FIRST CHURCH IN THE CITY
Another little known church is the St. Thomas Church in the congested Kutbiguda, Badi Chowdi, Sultan Bazaar, which was reportedly constructed in 1800 AD. “This is the second oldest church in Hyderabad and the first to house a cemetery. The area was then called Chaderghat,” said parish priest Richard John.
Father Solomon Thanugundla, a retired pastor, who wrote Structures of the Churches in AP, said, “In Hyderabad, the oldest church was built in Jahanuma for French troops in the 16th century. The St Mary’s Church, Secunderbad (1840), St Joseph’s Cathedral, Abids (1875), All Saints Church (1900), St Francis Xavier Church (1903) came up later. The French and Portuguese troops were Catholics and built their own churches while Protestant churches came up during the British rule,” Father Solomon told this newspaper.
The history of the Church of Our Lady of Sorrows at Jahanuma goes back to the 16th and 17th centuries when Nizam had his palace in the Old City. The Catholic officers were Portuguese and the French trained the Nizam’s Army.
“There is a story of how this shrine came into existence. A devoted French missionary priest lived in a cave on the Jahanuma hill, spending time in prayer, penance and fasting and performing miracles,” said Father Daniel and Brother George.
During a severe drought, the Nizam came to know about this priest, called him and asked him to pray for rain. He agreed but on the condition that the Nizam would provide a piece of land to build the church for Our Lady of Sorrows. The Nizam agreed. The priest fasted and prayed and there was heavy rain, he said.
The Nizam kept his word and gave the priest a piece of land, where the first church in this part of the country was built.
In Secunderabad, the Church of St John the Baptist, was constructed in 1818 in what was then called Lancer Lines. The church, built in the Indo-European style in the shape of a crucifix, served the spiritual needs of British troops.
The lines from the Bible — “O Lord open Thou our lips / And our mouth shall show forth Thy praise” — is engraved on the steps leading to the Chancel.
Rev. Charles Wesley of the church said the pipe organ became an integral part of the church to enhance liturgical worship. The Holy Trinity church, All Saints church and St George’s church also have pipe organs.
St Joseph’s cathedral with its baroque architecture has five bells in an open tower which was installed in 1892. The five bells flow the tradition of names and inscriptions. The bells are named after the Saints Peter, Joseph, Thomas and Francis Xavier. Inscribed with the words “Ora Pro Nobis” (Pray for us) and the date, the bells when rung in sequence chime to the tune of Ave Maria.
The clock on the tower of St Joseph’s Cathedral is over 100 years old and was gifted by the Nizam. Dr. Thumma Bala is the head of the Catholic community of the Telangana state region.
The All Saints Church located opposite Military Hospital, Trimulgherry, was dedicated by the Rt. Rev. Fredrick Gell, the then Bishop of Madras Diocese of the Church of England, in 1860 AD. The church is a classical representation of Gothic architecture in all its grandeur and beauty. The majesty of the structure is brought out in its stately columns, splendid arches, massive buttresses and majestic spires, capped with a serrated bell tower. The Medak Cathedral, the seat of the Church of South India in Medak, is known for its architectural splendor and majestic stained glass that was obtained from Italy, depicting the crucifixion of Jesus. The Church of South India covers 4.5 lakh in the Telangana state is headed by His Grace Rt. Rev. A.C. Solomon Raj, the eighth Bishop of CSI (Church of South India) who was consecrated recently at Chennai. In Telangana, Protestants outnumber Catholics. THE FRENCH AND PORTUGUESE WERE CATHOLICS AND BUILT THEIR OWN CHURCHES. PROTESTANT CHURCHES CAME UP DURING THE BRITISH RULE.