St. Paul’s Church
A Heritage of Mission, Education and Christian Service
- Thuraiyur
- Pastorate: Thuriyur
- Eight pastors named in its history
Who serves here
The story of St. Paul’s Church
St. Paul’s Church, Thuraiyur, is part of the Christian heritage of the CSI Tiruchirappalli–Thanjavur Diocese. Its story reflects the growth of missionary education, the development of church and school facilities, and the faithful service of pastors, teachers and congregation members across generations.
The Beginnings of Missionary Education
In 1884, missionaries of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG) began educational work in the Thuraiyur area and established an SPG school. The school became an important part of the mission’s service to the community. Over the years, its students went on to serve in a range of professions, including medicine, engineering, law, skilled trades, public service and government. Teachers and school leaders played a significant role in sustaining this educational legacy.
The Church and Its Congregational Life
St. Paul’s Church developed as a centre for Christian worship, fellowship and service in Thuraiyur. The late Rev. Stalin was the first pastor to serve in the area. Successive pastors and church members continued to nurture congregational life and to strengthen the church’s place in the community.
Development of School Facilities
A site near the sugar mill on the Tiruchirappalli main road was acquired for the development of a high school and registered in the church’s name on 8 September 1993. This milestone is associated with Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. Paul Raj, and Mr. Stalin was appointed the school’s headmaster. The development extended the church’s educational service to the area.
Church Rededication and Renewal
On 22 February 2002, St. Paul’s Church and its congregation were rededicated in a service led by Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. D. James Srinivasan. On 21 December 2014, a building constructed at a cost of about ₹5,00,000 was dedicated with the blessing of Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. G. Paul Vasanthakumar. These milestones reflect the congregation’s continuing efforts to maintain and improve its facilities for worship and fellowship.
Sunday School and Continuing Development
The church continued to invest in Christian education and the formation of younger generations. A Sunday School building, developed at a cost of about ₹8,00,000, was dedicated on 15 July 2018 by Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Chandrasekaran. Rev. S. Sudharsan ministered during this period. The Sunday School remains part of the church’s commitment to faith formation and the nurture of children.
Pastoral Ministry, 1992–2022
Successive ministers served the church from 1992 to 2022.
A Continuing Witness
St. Paul’s Church, Thuraiyur, continues its witness through worship, Christian education, fellowship and community service. Its heritage honours the missionaries, pastors, teachers and congregation members whose dedication helped to sustain the church and its educational ministry.
“Let the little children come to me.”
Built year by year
Five milestones, laid like courses of stone: the oldest at the foundation, each later one set above it.
- 1884SPG missionaries began educational work in ThuraiyurAn SPG school was established
- 1993Site for the high school registered in the church’s name8 September 1993 · Near the sugar mill on the Tiruchirappalli main road
- 2002Church and congregation rededicated22 February 2002 · By Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. D. James Srinivasan
- 2014Church-related building dedicated21 December 2014 · Built at a cost of about ₹5,00,000; with the blessing of Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. G. Paul Vasanthakumar
- 2018Sunday School building dedicated15 July 2018 · Built at a cost of about ₹8,00,000; by Bishop Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Chandrasekaran
On the board in the vestry
The pastors its history names, in the order they served.
- Rev. R. Stalin
- Rev. C. Paul Ramanujam
- Rev. S. Sudharsan
- Rev. A. Jandurai
- Rev. S. Christopher Sellaiya
- Rev. J. John Samuel
- Rev. K. Santhiramoagan
- Rev. T. NirmalkumarRetired