CSI Holy Cross Church

The Church of the Holy Cross was built by the Madras Railway Company funded by the Home and Local Committees of the S.P.C.K. and the Madras Diocesan Church Building Society and donations from the public.

The foundation stone was laid in 1894 and the Perambur Railway Church now became known as the Church of the Holy Cross. It was dedicated on Monday, 5th October 1896 by Bishop Frederick Gell DD.

The architect of this Church building was one Mr. Ross Chisholm and Rev. C.L. Bazely was the first incumbent of this Church.

It is believed that our early congregation used to meet for worship at 28, Siruvallur Main Road, Perambur, Madras and according to the available church records our church must have been started before 100 years. To make sure of the same the first marriage took place in the year 1875. When it was under the railway authorities, the present Holy Cross Church was called the Perambur Railway Church, governed and maintained by the railways authorities. Holy Cross, St. Michaels and one church at Arkonam was under one circle and ministered by railway chaplains. The first baptism took place in 1875.

The bible which was presented by Lt. Col. Charles James Godfrey in the year 1878 is still with us in our church. The foundation stone of the present church building where we are now worshipping was laid in 1894 and the Perambur Railway Church now became known as the Church of the Holy Cross. In September 1947 it became part of the C.S.I Family.

The Church of the Holy Cross was built by the Madras Railway Company funded by the Home and Local Committees of the S.P.C.K. and the Madras Diocesan Church Building Society and donations from the public. It was dedicated on Monday, 5th October 1896 by Bishop Cell DD, 4th Lord Bishop of Madras. The architect of this Church building was one Mr Ross Chisholm and Rev. C.L. Bazely was the first incumbent of this Church.

Mr. Sagadevan was employed as a gardener at the time for a salary of Rs. 11 per month. It is learnt that in the first part of the 20th century Sunday School was conducted by two Missions, viz, Methodist and Anglican Missions.

In September 1954, the 60th anniversary of this existing church was celebrated during which the congregation presented a cross which is now kept inside the altar. The present Sexton’s quarters were constructed ion 1977. According to our available records our Women’s Fellowship was started in 1975 whereas the backbone of our Women’s Fellowship was then called as Mother’s Union was started before 1936. Youth fellowship was started in 1970. The Holy Cross Church Primary School was started in 1984 and was dedicated by Bishop Sunder Clarke. In memory of Mr. M.D.D. D’Monte the pioneer and ardent member of this church family an electric organ was donated.

As our outreach programme, we have adopted Vepampattu village in Thiruninravur pastorate in June 1994.