St. Thomas Church

“I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord!’” — Psalm 122:1

The CSI St. Thomas Church, Dharapuram, has a history closely connected with the early Christian mission in the Dharapuram region. The congregation was formally organised as a separate pastorate on 1 December 1988. Before this, its congregations and worshipping groups were associated with the Ellis Memorial Church. Rev. Ezekiel Durairaj served as the first pastorate leader.

Historical Background

The Christian witness in the area developed through the missionary work of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. The evangelistic efforts of Rev. J. J. Ellis helped to bring the Christian message to families in the surrounding villages. The mission gradually grew through the work of local believers, evangelists, teachers and pastors, who nurtured the emerging congregations through worship, teaching and pastoral care.

An important centre of this early work was Anthararam, where a Christian community took shape. On 27 October 1916, the English missionary W. A. Sandford dedicated the mission there. At that time, about 32 families were associated with the settlement, and the place became known as Anthararam. The Christian community in this area continued to grow, to around 70 Christian families.

The mission’s contribution also included education. Schools were established in the surrounding localities, including a school at Perungurunaipalayam in 1929 and another at Kolunchivadi in 1939. These institutions formed part of the wider educational and community work associated with the church and supported the development of children and families in the region.

Over time, the pastorate came to serve a number of congregations and worshipping communities across Dharapuram and the neighbouring villages, among them Anthararam, Devananchiyampalayam, Kolunchivadi, Kuppachipalayam, Kavundachipudur, Sakunipalayam, Thekkalur and Kondarassampalayam. Together, these communities contributed to the growth of Christian worship and fellowship in the area.

The continuing development of the pastorate has been supported by successive ministers and church workers. Missionaries and pastors, including Rev. J. J. Ellis and Rev. W. A. Sandford, served alongside generations of local evangelists, teachers and congregation members. Their service helped to establish and sustain the church’s spiritual and educational presence in the region.

Continuing Witness

Today, CSI St. Thomas Church, Dharapuram, continues its ministry through worship, prayer, pastoral care, education and fellowship among its congregations. The pastorate’s journey reflects the faith and perseverance of generations of believers who have sustained Christian witness in Dharapuram and its neighbouring communities.