St. Peter’s Church
A Heritage of Mission, Worship and Renewal
- Nangur
- Pastorate: Nangur
Who serves here
The story of St. Peter’s Church
Nangur Pastorate brings together four ministry centres: Nangur, Sarabendrarajapuram, Thirunari and Pannangudi. Its story reflects the faith of village congregations, the work of missionaries and church leaders, and the continuing efforts of local Christians to establish, maintain and renew places of worship. St. Peter’s Church, Nangur, is a central part of this pastoral community, alongside the churches serving the neighbouring villages.
St. Peter’s Church, Nangur
St. Peter’s Church has a long association with the mission of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (SPG). As the earlier church building deteriorated, the congregation undertook the construction of a new church. The foundation stone was laid on 12 February 2006 by Rt. Rev. Dr. D. James Srinivasan, during the ministry of Rev. Nirmalkumar. The new church was dedicated on 28 November 2010 during the episcopate of Rt. Rev. Dr. G. Paul Vasanthakumar, with Rev. T. S. Pandian and Rev. Selvakumar serving in the pastorate leadership during that period.
Sarabendrarajapuram Church: Foundation, Dedication and Renewal
Sarabendrarajapuram developed as a branch congregation of Nangur Pastorate. Its church foundation stone was laid on 21 August 1999 by Rt. Rev. Dr. D. James Srinivasan. The church was dedicated on 22 February 2004, during the ministry of Rev. I. Francis as pastorate leader and Rev. Benjamin as assistant pastor. A later renewal and rededication took place on 12 February 2016 during the episcopate of Rt. Rev. Dr. G. Paul Vasanthakumar, with Rev. V. Rajamanickam serving as pastorate leader and Rev. D. Jeyasingh serving the congregation.
All Saints’ Church, Pannangudi
The Pannangudi congregation worships at All Saints’ Church. A new church building was built and dedicated on 17 April 2005 by Rt. Rev. Dr. D. James Srinivasan. The service took place during the ministry of Rev. I. Francis as pastorate leader, with Rev. Benjamin serving as assistant pastor. This milestone strengthened the congregation’s place of worship and fellowship.
The Wider Diocesan Heritage
The Church of South India was formed in 1947. Nangur Pastorate belongs to the continuing ministry of the CSI Tiruchirappalli–Thanjavur Diocese, and its history recalls the succession of bishops who have served the Diocese. Rt. Rev. Dr. D. James Srinivasan served as Bishop from 1998 to 2008, Rt. Rev. Dr. G. Paul Vasanthakumar from 2008 to 2018 and Rt. Rev. Dr. D. Chandrasekaran from 2018 to 2024.
A Living Witness of Faith
Nangur Pastorate continues to be a community shaped by worship, fellowship and shared service. Its history honours the clergy, church workers and families who have sustained the congregations of Nangur, Sarabendrarajapuram, Thirunari and Pannangudi. May these churches remain welcoming places of prayer, spiritual growth and compassionate service, bearing witness to Christ’s love for generations.
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Built year by year
Six milestones, laid like courses of stone: the oldest at the foundation, each later one set above it.
- 1999Sarabendrarajapuram church foundation stone laid21 August 1999 · By Rt. Rev. Dr. D. James Srinivasan
- 2004Sarabendrarajapuram church dedicated22 February 2004 · Rev. I. Francis; Rev. Benjamin (assistant pastor)
- 2005New church built and dedicated at Pannangudi17 April 2005 · All Saints’ Church; Rt. Rev. Dr. D. James Srinivasan; Rev. I. Francis; Rev. Benjamin
- 2006Foundation stone laid for the new St. Peter’s Church12 February 2006 · Rt. Rev. Dr. D. James Srinivasan; Rev. Nirmalkumar
- 2010New St. Peter’s Church dedicated28 November 2010 · Rt. Rev. Dr. G. Paul Vasanthakumar; Rev. T. S. Pandian; Rev. Selvakumar
- 2016Sarabendrarajapuram church renewed and rededicated12 February 2016 · Rt. Rev. Dr. G. Paul Vasanthakumar; Rev. V. Rajamanickam; Rev. D. Jeyasingh