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1906 - 2006 100 MATEER MEMORIAL CHURCH (C.S.I.) Years Fancy Sale was conducted with Dr. Sugunan K. Mr. T. Jayakumar Alfred, who was next in the Das as convener and Messrs. M. Wills, Winston waiting list of deacons was invited to serve in the I. Paul, Miss. Premila Janelet and Mrs. Mitchel as Church committee in place of Mr. P. Albert on 15th joint conveners as in 1973. February 1976. 1975 Rev. A. Isaac was transferred and Rev. Varghese T. Lee was A meeting was held on 26th January 1975 at posted to the Church from 1st June which the bishop released a book on the late 1976. A send-off was given to Rev. Rev. S. Alfred (Ottam Thikachu). A. Isaac on Sunday the 30th of The Passion Week messages were May 1976. Rev. Varghese given by Sadhu Kishan Singh, a well T. Lee Based on the decision of the known preacher, and his daughter general body, Mrs. Sathyan was permitted to hold Kumari Sheela. He again preached a memorial service in the church in 15th June 1976, in our church from 6th to 8th February 1976. a request which had been denied in previous years. Sadhu Kishan Singh The inaugural meeting of the The old cemetery chapel was dismantled and the Trivandrum Branch of the Bible Society was held contract for building a new one at an estimated on 1st September 1975 in the church under the cost of Rs. 28,989 was awarded to Mr. J. Babu, chairmanship of the bishop. Kesavadasapuram. The new chapel was dedicated on 2nd November 1976 at 8 a.m. The actual cost After a long controversy, it was decided to permit was Rs. 28,447.49. memorial/thanksgiving services within the church by the Bishop or Pastor or some authorized person. There was a proposal that the Sunday school It was proposed by be conducted after the morning service also. (Till Rev. J. W. Gladstone then, the Sunday school was conducted only in the and Dr. S. Jones to afternoons.) celebrate the 150th The proposal of the Gospel Band for a chapel anniversary of the Rev. J. W. at Nemom was accepted. (This was later fulfilled LMS congregation in Gladstone Dr. S. Jones Trivandrum. as the Platinum Jubilee Memorial Church). Fancy Sale was conducted with Dr. Sugunan K. Mr. S. Moses functioned as accountant during Das as convener and Messrs. M. Wills, Winston the illness of Mr. A. Ponniah. I. Paul, Miss. Premila Janelet and Mrs. Mitchel as Bricks, sand, slabs, etc. would be stocked at joint conveners as in 1974. the cemetery to be sold for construction of graves 1976 on no-profit, no-loss basis. Fancy Sale was conducted with Dr. Sugunan K. Mr. P. Albert, deacon, passed away on 10th February 1976. A memorial service was held on 28th Das as convener and Messrs. M. Wills, Winston March 1978 jointly with the BCL Union at their I. Paul, Miss. Premila Janelet and Mrs. Mitchel as request. joint conveners as in 1975. 56 1906 - 2006 100 MATEER MEMORIAL CHURCH (C.S.I.) Years 1977 Convention meetings were held from 10th to 14th November 1977, addressed by Dr. Pushparaj of At the suggestion of the CEYF, Holy Communion Salem. was started in the English service every 3rd Sunday in the evening from January 1977. Rev. M. J. Wilson held a convention in the church th th At the suggestion of Mr. C. Ponnen, it was decided from 30 November to 5 December. to provide pandals on either side of the church with Mr. A. Johnson was nominated as the convener extra loudspeakers on Good Friday, Easter and of Fancy Sale for the year 1977. Christmas, and to arrange for petromax lights in special days. 1978 It was proposed to get three-phase electric connection for the church. Dr. J. E. Rasalam, former deacon and Church From the year 1977, the strength of the diaconate secretary passed away and a memorial service was of our Church was raised from 7 to 11 excluding held on 9th April 1978. nominations. Regarding additional accommodation, a th On 15 May 1977 a new subcommittee was formed by the general body and committee was elected with the it recommended that no structural alterations may following members. Messrs. Justin S. Jesudasan, A. Ponniah, G. S. Oliver, be made in the church. Instead – to start one more S. Moses, M. Wills, T. Jayakumar service in the morning. 7.30 a.m. Tamil service, 9 M. Wills Alfred, H. Fletcher, a.m. Malayalam service. There may be an evening A. Johnson, R. J. Chelladurai Raja, service at 5.30 p.m. For these an assistant ordained N. Yohannan and Dr. (Mrs.) Irene pastor familiar with both Tamil & Malayalam may Skinner. On 25th May 1977, Mr. C. be appointed to assist the pastor. The General Body Ponnen was nominated by the bishop. th A. Johnson held on 28 May 1978 decided to implement the Messrs. Justin S. Jesudasan and suggestions of the subcommittee and those were A. Ponniah were elected as Secretary and Accountant implemented. A special General Body on respectively in the Church committee held on 25th 17th September 1978 opposed the suggestions of May 1977. On the same day, Messrs. N. Yohannan, R. J. the subcommittee and approved proposal for one Chelladurai Rajah and morning service only – Malayalam at 8 a.m. On Dr. (Mrs.) Irene 15th October 1978, the final decision was made as Skinner were elected proposed by Mr. R. J. Chelladurai Raja as follows: to the Diocesan R. J. Chelladurai 7 a.m., Tamil, 8 a.m., Malayalam and 5 p.m. English Rajah Council. Dr. Mrs. Irene st Skinner (1 Sundays) and Malayalam (on other Sundays). Mr. J. J. Thomas, former deacon and accountant passed away on 9th August 1977. A memorial service The bishop was requested to post a Tamil ordained was held on 13th August 1977. pastor with working knowledge of Malayalam. 57 1906 - 2006 100 MATEER MEMORIAL CHURCH (C.S.I.) Years Mr. V. P. M. Jaipaul was appointed 1980 on 1st September 1978. He was A new electronic organ of the Artronica “Spirit” ordained on 20th May 1979. model was installed in the church on 9th February Mr. Y. Jepamony, Tamil Evangelist left 1980 and it was dedicated on the 10th February st on 31 August 1978. 8 a.m. service by the bishop Rt. Rev. I. Jesudasan. V. P. M. Jaipaul At the suggestion of the Gospel It cost Rs. 22,232.60. On the same day, our bishop, Band, a hymn book was printed for use at funerals. Rt. Rev. I. Jesudasan was felicitated on his election as Deputy Moderator. Convention meetings were held from 21st to 24th November 1978 by Rev. Richard Little. Bishop Arnold H. Legg passed away in England on 31st March 1980. A condolence message was The Bible woman, Ms. D. Janet, passed away conveyed to Mrs. Legg. on 26th August 1978. An amendment to the constitution was made Mr. K. John, former sexton and peon passed wherein, two seats of the diaconate were reserved away. for women members. The fancy sale for the year was conducted A new Church committee consisting rd on 23 December 1978. Mr. S. R. K. Rasalam of Messrs. Justin S. Jesudasan, as convener, Dr. Samson Nessiah and Mrs. Cyrus A. Ponniah, G. S. Oliver, N. Yohannan, as Joint Conveners were nominated to organize Edwin P. Bhanu, P. G. Edwin, the fancy sale. C. Ponnen, T. Edwin P. Bhanu Jayakumar Alfred, S. 1979 Moses, Mrs. Nirmala It was decided to administer Holy Communion Balsalam and Dr. Irene Skinner were at the 7 a.m. Tamil service on 3rd Sundays. elected on 25th May 1980. In the subsequent committee meeting held on P. G. Edwin As suggested by the organist, 31st May, Mr. Justin S. Jesudasan contributions for the ‘Electronic Organ was elected as Secretary and Fund’ was raised through birthday Mr. A. Ponniah as Accountant. cover distribution at the morning Mrs. Irene Skinner, Nirmala Balsalam services. A subcommittee was formed for this purpose with Mr. T. Jayakumar and Mr. J. Wilson were elected as Alfred as convener, Mr. Albert Joseph T. Godwin members to the diocesan council. (Organist) and Mr. T. Godwin (Secretary). Nirmala Balsalam A ladies’ cycle was bought by Dr. Leelamony Ambrose and Dr. the church for the use of Irene Skinner donated one cluster light Rev. V. P. M. Jaipaul. each for the centre row of the church. The Church committee contributed Rs. 6,000 to Messrs. T. Jayakumar Alfred and S. the Ettoornagaram mission project of the diocese. R. K. Rasalam were nominated as joint Dr. Leelamony conveners for this year’s fancy sale, and The CEYF organised a music concert at the Ambrose the income was utilized for the purchase T J M Hall by the Christian Arts & Communications of the electronic organ. Service (Chrisarts), Madras. 58 1906 - 2006 100 MATEER MEMORIAL CHURCH (C.S.I.) Years Collection of donations was made through CSI – CNI – MTC unity Sunday was observed distribution of covers for the Peroorkada Church on 8th November 1981, with communion according Building Fund. to Marthoma Liturgy in the morning and CNI Liturgy 1981 in the evening. th A grant of Rs. 1,000 was sanctioned to the Mr. K. Dasan, sexton, passed away on 30 Wills Hostel for Women towards their building project. November 1981 a week before the festival week. Mr. M. Johnson who was acting sexton from 1st Rev. V. D. Sahayam preached during the Passion July 1981, was confirmed as Sexton on 1st December Week services.