CSI JCM CHURCH

The church in the heart of Madanapalle was built by an American missionary a century ago. Madanapalle in Chittoor, the southernmost district of Andhra Pradesh, India has a historic church. This magnificent church in the heart of the town, was built by an American missionary, Dr. Jacob Chamberlain, nearly hundred years ago. The cool and salubrious climate of Madanapalle attracted many missionaries from abroad who settled here and did yeoman service to the development of the Madanapalle Church. But Dr. Chamberlain, a selfless missionary, an efficient surgeon and a devoted educationalist, was the earliest foreign resident of this town. Though an American by birth, he lived and served the people here for nearly half a century.Inspired by the work of Scudder brothers, who worked in India as missionaries, Dr. Jacob Chamberlain came to India in 1860 to work for the AAM. After a short stay in Palamaner, near Chittoor, he arrived in Madanapalle in 1863. He served the people with dedication, care and love. His services in the field of education and health endeared him to everyone. Dr. Chamberlain bought a piece of land, which came to be known as the Mission Compound, got a thatched bungalow built and started a dispensary. He founded the Madanapalle Church on July 9, 1865, with a modest membership of eight adults and eight children. Soon, the number steadily grew and by 1888, the membership increased to 52. As years passed, Dr. Chamberlain raised several buildings in the sprawling mission compound where he set up besides a dispensary, a school and also a modest Chapel. He was a doctor, a teacher, organiser and a preacher — all rolled into one. The dispensary that he started grew into the present Government Hospital. The Hope High School, the CSI Girls School, the Municipal Fort School and the MLL Hospital — all were founded due to the efforts of Dr. Chamberlain. But a major contribution to the town was the construction of a beautiful church. The need to have spacious church building was felt as the number who attended the congregations increased. The imposing red-brick church edifice in the heart of the town, a landmark of Madanapalle, owes its construction to Dr. Jacob Chamberlain. When he decided to get the church built, many European and local inhabitants came forward with donations. The first contribution was in 1888 by the then sub-collector of Madanapalle, W.H. Welsh, when he gave half the proceeds of the sale of his horse, when he left for England. The amount thus donated was Rs. 101. The land was procured with the help of the local rich residents, Thamballapalle Subba Reddy and C.M. Murugesa Mudaliar. The foundation stone was laid by Mrs. E.E. Olcott of New York, who was closely connected with the activities of A.A.M. in India. Founder's day The construction of the church was completed and it was declared open on October 11, 1908 by Mrs. Chamberlain, as Dr. Chamberlain died on March 2 that year. The church celebrates March 2 every year as Founder's Day. The church was named Dr. Jacob Chamberlain Memorial Church, after its founder.Dr. Chamberlain was a great scholar besides being an eminent physician. He was for many years chairman of the Telugu Bible Revision Committee and a member of the Telugu tract society. But his monumental work, The Bible Dictionary in Telugu, could not be completed. In 1888, when the Pakala-Dharmavaram railroad was laid, Dr. Chamberlain, ensured that the railway station was built at a safe distance at Chinna Tippa Samudram (CTM), about 10 km away, to preserve the atmosphere. Dr. Chamberlain was affectionately called appa by the locals. After his death, his sons, Louis B. Chamberlain and William I. Chamberlain continued his work with equal zeal and enthusiasm.The church is heading for its centenary celebrations in 2007. The residents in the town, irrespective of religious affiliations, in collaboration with the Municipal Council, are planning in a big way for a year-long celebration to commemorate the services of its founder.