Karnataka Central Diocese of the Church of South India
Diocese of Karnataka Central Diocese | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| Ecclesiastical province | Church of South India |
| Statistics | |
| Congregations | 120 |
| Information | |
| Cathedral | St. Mark's Cathedral, Bangalore |
| Current leadership | |
| Bishop | Rt.Rev Dr. Prasana Kumar Samuel |
| Website | |
| www.csitakcd.com | |
The Central Karnataka Diocese is one of the twenty-two dioceses of the Church of South India covering the central part of Karnataka.
History of the Diocese
The year 1810 witnessed the arrival of the first ever Protestant missionary, the Rev. John Hands of London Missionary Society at Bellary, Karnataka State (erstwhile Mysore.During the later part of 19th century also witnessed the arrival of other missionary societies such as the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society (1821) Basel Mission (1834), the society of propagation of the Gospel and the Church Missionary Society. Except for the Basel Mission, the other Missions became part of the South Indian United Church (SIUC) which came into existence in 1908. When the Church of South India was formally inaugurated in 1947, Mysore Diocese was one of fourteen dioceses.Acceding to a proposal made by the Synod in 1964 to create smaller dioceses to provide better administration, the Diocese in 1969 approved the scheme for dividing the Diocese into three units. As a result of this division,the Central Karnataka diocese came into existence on 1 May 1970, on trifurcation of the then Mysore diocese.
Under the leadership of Bishop Norman C Sargant, the Mysore Diocese was trifurcated and the Mysore Central Diocese came into being in the year 1970. When Mysore was renamed as Karnataka then the Diocese also changed its name from Mysore Central Diocese to Karnataka Central Diocese.
About the Diocese
The diocese has around 120 pastorates covering three major divisions viz Bangalore, Kolar Gold Fields and Tumkur.Rt. Rev. Dr. Prasana Kumar Samuel is the current bishop of the diocese.
Bishops of the Diocese
- Mysore Diocese
- Rt. Rev. Premaka Gurushantha (1947-1951)
- Rt.Rev Norman C. Sargant (1951-1971)
- Central Karnataka Diocese
- Rt Rev Kenneth E Gill (1972-1980)
- Rt Rev Dr C. D. Jathanna
- Rt Rev S. Vasantha Kumar (1996-2012)
- Rt. Rev P. K. Samuel (2015-till date)
Notable Churches under this Diocese
St. Mark's Cathedral was founded in 1808 and was completed in 1812.[1] The Bishop of Calcutta consecrated this Cathedral in 1816. This Cathedral is a beautiful colonial structure having a graceful dome over a semicircular chancel.Roman archers along the walls are one of the most beautiful features of the Cathedral.This cathedral was modeled along the lines of the 17th-century St Pauls Cathedral. The entrance has elaborate woodwork and ornate carvings coupled with majestically done ceilings and domes. The monument was enlarged in 1901 and rebuilt in 1927. The new structure is known for its stained glass work.The church is named after St.Mark, the author of St. Mark's gospel.
Holy Trinity Church, located at Trinity circle at the east end of the MG Road, is a major landmark in Bangalore. It was built in 1851, for the British Regiment stationed in Bangalore. Built in the English Renaissance style, the church is regarded as the largest "military" church in southern India.
- Hudson Memorial Church, Corporation Circle, Bangalore
Hudson Memorial Church is one of the major landmarks of the city. It lies in the middle of Hudson circle near Bangalore City Corporation. The church was built in 1904, in memory of Rev Josiah Hudson. This impressive structure with a tower and several stained glass windows is an example for the neo-gothic style of architecture.[2]
The foundation stone for this magnificent church structure was laid on 22 November 1864 by Lady Grant, wife of Lieutenant-General, Sir Hope Grant, the then Quartermaster-General of Her Majesty’s Forces and the building was completed and opened for Divine worship on 18 November 1866.It started as a Scottish "kirk", and the edifice was completed to be opened for worship in 1866. The early congregation was almost entirely men and officers of the Scottish regiments from Britain stationed here and a few civilians of Scottish origin, all followers of the Presbyterian sect.[3]
St. Paul's Church is located in the corner of Old Poor House Road, and Bowring Hospital Road, next to the Bowring and Lady Curzon Hospital, Bangalore Cantonment. St. Paul's has the distinction of being the very first Tamil Anglican Church in the erstwhile Mysore State. It celebrated its 175th anniversary in May 2014.[4]
St. John’s Church is located in St. John's Hill, Cleveland Town, Bangalore Cantonment, in between Promenade Road and St. John's Church Road. The church is the fourth oldest Protestant church in the city, with a distinct red edifice and towering steeple, rising out of the leafy surroundings.[5]
- Wesley English Church, Coles Park, Bangalore
Educational Institutions under the Diocese
- Colleges
- Bishop Cotton Women's Christian College
- Bishop Cotton Women's Christian Law College
- United Mission Degree College
- Schools
- Bishop Cotton Girl's School
- Bishop Cotton Boy's School
- Cathedral Composite Pre-University College & High School
- Church of England Zenana Mission (CEZM) School (Urdu Medium)
- Methodist Mission High School
- Mitralaya Composite Pre-University College & High School
- United Mission Composite Pre-University College & High School
- Priyadarshini High School
- St.John's High School
- Goodwills Girl's High School, Near Coles Park, Fraser Town, Bangalore
See also
References
- ^ "St. Mark's Cathedral gearing up for bicentennial bash". The Hindu. 21 September 2007. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- ^ "Hudson Memorial Church is now 109". The Hindu. 23 September 2007. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- ^ "Work on restoring this historical `edifice of faith' launched". The Hindu. 3 June 2007. Retrieved 27 December 2014.
- ^ "St. Paul's church to celebrate 175 years". No. Bangalore. The Hindu. 1 May 2014. Retrieved 4 February 2015.
- ^ Achanta, Pushpa (29 January 2013). "Testimony to a rich past". No. Bangalore. Deccan Herald. Retrieved 27 January 2015.