St. Andrew's Church, Reddiarpalayam, Puducherry
St.
Andrew's Church is one of the oldest churches in Reddiarpalayam area
of Puducherry, a
Union territory in South
India. The original structure was built
in Gothic architecture in 1745 by Kanakaraya
Mudali, the longest serving dubash of
the French East India Company. During the opening of the Church, Mudali hosted a
feast that included all castes and religions, the first of its kind that is
recorded in the history of South India. It is believed that the Church was
destroyed by the British in 1761 and was later rebuilt in 1830. It is the first
Church in South India to have inscriptions made in Tamil during the times.
St.
Andrew's Church is a working church with hourly prayer and daily services and
follows Roman Catholic sect of Christianity. The chapel was controlled by Capuchin priests
initially and then changed hands to Petite Seminaire School Fathers up to 1860.
In modern times, it is under the dominion of Archdiocese of Pondicherry and
Cuddalore. It is one of the most prominent
landmarks in Puducherry.
History
The
details of the church are found in the inscriptions made in the temple in Tamil, the first one of its kind in South India. Pondicherry
was originally founded by 1674 by Francois Martin, while the French East Indian
Company by Thaniappa Mudaliar in 1691 CE. The colony passed hands between the
French and British colonial
Empire till 1816 when it became a permanent colony of the French. Some accounts
place that the church was built in 1675 by Capuchins following the
Apostle St. Andrew. Other
accounts place that the church was built in the fort by Father Ephraim de
Nevers in 1642 as a temporary structure, which would go on to be modified as a
permanent structure in 1675.
As per
other accounts and also the official history of the Church, it was built
by Kanakaraya Mudali (1696- 1746), the grandson of Thaniyappa Mudaliyar
and the longest serving dubash for the French Colonial Empire in 1745. He
hosted a multi caste religious feast in the region subsequently attended by
people across different castes and religions in the region. It is believed
that the Church was destroyed by the British in 1761 and was later rebuilt in
1830.
Life History of Kanakaraya Mudali:
For
brief details, please refer below link;
Architecture
The
church is built in Gothic architecture. The altar has conventional Catholic images in the
altar and a vestry for the devotees. The bust size statue of Kanakaraya
Mudali is housed over his tomb in
the precincts of the church. The plaques of Our Lady and St. Andrew are housed
in glass chambers in standing posture on either side of the altar in the walls
facing the devotees. A grotto of St. Andrews is located outside the entrance of
the vestry near the entrance.
Worship Practices
St.
Andrews Church was originally under the dominions of the Cathedral and later
changed hands to Petite Seminaire School Fathers up to 1860. The priests in the
church were originally only French, but during modern times, Tamil people were
also allowed. In modern times, the Church is administered by the Archdiocese of Pondicherry and
Cuddalore. The religious activities are
performed by an archbishop and two Parish priests.
Mass
Timings
Mass is
performed in the church from Monday to Friday on 5 a.m., 6.am. and 5 p.m. on Saturdays
and 5 a.m., 6 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Feast
The
feast of the church is celebrated during the Christmas times for eight days,
starting with flag hoisting on 24 January and ending on 2 January.
Connectivity
The Church is located at about 100 meters from Kamban
Nagar Bus Stop, 1.5 Kms from Indira Gandhi Square Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Puducherry
Main Bus Stand, 4 Kms from Puducherry Railway Station, 6 Kms from Villianur, 7
Kms from Puducherry Airport and 148 Kms from Chennai Airport. The Church is
situated on Pondicherry to Villupuram Route. Take any Villupuram Bound Bus and
get down at Kamban Nagar Bus Stop to reach this Church. Buses, Taxis and Autos
are also available to reach this place from any part of Puducherry. Nearest
Railway Station is located at Puducherry. Nearest Airport is located at
Puducherry and Chennai.
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