“Have you not heard? Long ago I did it, From ancient times I planned it Now I have brought it to pass, That you should turn fortified cities into ruinous heaps.
WILLIAM TOBIAS RINGELTAUBE
It is well known from the word of old that ministry in Venkanji was started 150 years ago. In the year of 1822 a church was established at parasala based on cheruvarakonam circle, and then in 1838 the surrounding area of parassala was changed into missionary field. Due to the tireless effort of the European Missionary John Abbs, parasala became an important centre in the state of South Travancore. In 1845 parasala church was upgraded as a District Church initically the preaching of gospel stated among the poor people of 77 under developed villages around parasala in the year of 1850. In this book “A History of London Mission Society in South Travancore” the missionary John A. Jacob has mentioned that the ministry among the poor people of South Travancore affected by severe fever is so useful and blessing to the people. Venkanji is one of the mission field among the 77 mission fields where the ministry was started initially.
WILLIAM TOBIAS RINGELTAUBE
The political and Social Reasons for the growth of ministries
During the year of 1850’s the areas around parasala District, a mass of people converted themselves into Christianity which resulted in the development of a strong Christian fellowship.
In the book written by Rt. Rev. J.W. Gladston, the first reason for conversion is that Christianity offers deliverance from bandages of traditional religious beliefs and upper castes. Due to this reason a major portion of Nadar community people accepted the Eruopean Missionaries who fought for their rights as their social and religious leaders, Moreover Nadar womens were prohibited from covering their upper torso with shoulder cloth and Nadars are not allowed to carry umbrella and live in multistoried houses.
During the period of the missionary G.O Newport around 4000 Nadars converted themselves into Christianity. Also funds were raised from Europen countries to empower Education for women in rural areas.
Rev. James Emilin took chare as the third missionary of parasala mission during May 1, 1869. He started preaching the gospel among the people of other religion and took. Various steps to reduce the caste difference among the people. During 1881-1890 there happened a difference of opinion among the priests and believers of roman catholic congregation of kollencode and vallavilai area. As a result many believers of roman catholic congregation expressed their willingness to join LMS congregation. So Rev. James Emilin started small churches in vallavilai and Neerodi. He also purchased a land and constructed two schools and a church and this place was named as “Sathia Vedaa Pattinmad”.
In the book written by Rev. John A. Jacob, he has mentioned that a church was started in valavilai during 1884. Mr. David sylam and Mr. Samuel were nominated to do mission work and educational service among the people of Neerodi and Kollemcode, Also Mr. S. Jacob was nominated for the vallavilai area by Rev. James Emilin to motivate the home missionaries two youths were selected from the same area and are sent to Nagercoil seminary to learn Theology.
But the splited Roman Catholic congregation re-united together which affected the growth of LMS Church, Rev. James Emilin who expected a growth in coastal area did not lose heart, but concentrated in the mission works in Venkanji area and was happy to see the missionary work was fruitful. The school which functioned at vallavilai under the LMS management that functioned for four years was therefore was not operated and the ministry on that area was omiltte.
The service offered by the missionaries during the season of severe fever, help during famine and other previous happenings made the people of vankanji open door for Christianity. During that time a tamil teacher populory known pulimoottu Asan who was teaching tamil under a Tamarind tree accepted Christianity and started preaching good news from the Bible. Later with the help of European missionaries a church and mission house was constructed in pullivilai located to the east of punnamoottukadai and service was conducted by a church worker. Mean while the church functioned at vallavilai was merged with pallivilai church and the round ball used at vallavilai church is still in usage at Venkanji church is an evidence of merger.
Since three was a good relationship between the European missionaries and paraicode nair community family, there was an enormous growth in ministry in that area without any obstacle. And for better transportation facilities, the spot at palliviali where the church was located was mutually exchanged with the spot where the present church was established to the paraicode family and made that place as a mission centre. The regular services was conducted during that time in the place where the present parasonage is located. Then under the leadership of Rev. Joshua Knowles there was a tremendous growth in the ministry and church.
Rev. Joshua Knowles reached parasala during 1890’s and took charge as in 1892. He concentrated in establishing independent pastorate church. Rev. Knowles felt the need of a church in venkanji and constructed a small church with the dimensions 45 feet length and 22 ½ feet wide and Mr. Yovan was nominated as the first presbyter of the new church.
Ministry was growing day by day without any obstacles in venkanji and resulted in upgrading venkanji as a mission circle and many mission fields functioned under this circle Mr. G. Issac functioned as circle chairman during that period.
The churches like kodithooki, viraly, Venkadambu, Kuntukoil, Kakaravilai, Neerodi, Kirathoor, Namboly, Pallikal, Paramcode, Arulkuntu, Mangad, Kulapuram functioned under Venkanji circle. All the complaints and grievances of the above said churches are redressed and settled in this circle. The complaints from kaliakavilai church was also enquired in venkanji circle.
In the year 1918 Mr. A.S. James took charge as venkanji circle chairman. One member from venkanji circle was nominated as District council member for parasala District. Depending upon the grade of the churches assessment was collected and used for the expenses of the circle. The account book are maintained in the churches are audited by the circle council.
In 1912 Mr.Lavan took charge as church worker and lead the church services. Following him Mr. Solomon, Mr. Samuel and Mr. Issac served as church worlers in venkanji church. After that Mr. Devanesan took charge as church worker in 1934 and under his leadership, tiredless effort and prayers of the believers, venkanji church was upgraded as a pastorate church.
A general body meeting was convened by Mr. Paulmony on 14.4.1935, 149 members attended the meeting and unanimously decided to ordinate the church work Mr. Devanesan as a presbyter. The ordination service was conducted on March 7, 1936 and Rev. Devanesan was ordained as presbyter of the upgraded venkanji pastorate church.
The ministry strengthened day by day by the conventions conducted and frequent message devlivered by missionaries. In a special occasion the missionary of marthandam Rev. Robert Sinclair too has attended the holy communion. To motivate the church members, the church workers and deacons had a practice of conducting the service at churches with in venkanji circle which was started at pallikal church on 24.08.1939. Also special was conducted on the Birthday of the king of Travancore. As a result of the dedication of church workers and fellowship of church members the ministry was growing day by day. In 1958 a resolution was passed on the committee to built a bigger church to accomodate all the believers of the church. During that period Rev. I. Devanesan was president and the secretary was Mr. D. Israel. The foundation stone for the new church was laid by the than member o parliament and Diocesan vice president Mr. A. Marshal Nesamony M.A, BL in the presence o Bishop commissary Rev. Edward sam on 02.07.1964. To appreciate the dedicate service and contribution towards gospel work o Mr. Ringeltaube in kanyakumari district, the now church at venkanji was named as “Ringeltaube Memoral Church”. And the dedicated effort in designing the church and hardwork in construction by the then secretary Mr. D. Israel is unforgettable.
During 1959, when kanyakumari Diocese was formed, parasala district was attached to south kerala diocese and our church was attached to Marthandam District, and continuous functioning as a pastorate church under kanyakumari diocese. The branch churches new kulapuram, paramcode and arulkuntu functioned under venkanji pastorate during that time.
After the retirement of Rev. L. Devanesan in 1961 Rev. Devanesan in 1961 Rev. Palayya peter took charge and served for few months. After him Rev. C. Chelliah served as presbyter from 1961 to 1965. During his period Mrs. Mary Lizi was appointed as Bible women. In continuous to the service of Rev. Chelliah, Rev. Devasahayam and Mr. Arumai nayagam served for few months. Rev. M.C Russaliah served from 1966 to 1969, Rev. Silas served from 1969 to 1970 Decan Ambrose from 1979 to 1972, Rev. Samuel served for a few months, Rev. John Thirupathy served from 1972 to 1973, Rev. M.I Kesari from 1973 to 1974. Rev. Christudhas from 1974 to 1977 Rev. Edwin Raj served from 1977 to 1979, Rev. Christopher levi served from 1979 to 1983 for the development of the church. During the period of Rev. Christopher Levi and S. Sathiyadhas as secretary the Mission house renovation was started on 7.6.1981.
Meanwhile the church construction was also going an and the Sunday school children helped in collection of building find. For the upliftment of poor a micro loan scheme was started and Mery pannupilai as convener. Church choir was also formulated with the efforts Mr. S. Sathia sunder and Mr. Vijaya kumar from vricode was appointed as choir master.
The church was growing day by day and as a milestone of its growth, C.S.I Venkanji was upgraded into a district church on 7th November 1982. Rev. R. Abraham was the first District Chairman of District church venkanji who took charge in the year 1982. The pastorate church, Old kulappuram and the branch churches marshalpuram, cheetiyavilai, Arulkuntu, paramcode Manhazhi are functioning under venkanji district at that time.
The construction of church parsonage was completed during he period of Rev.R. Abraham and dedicated by the than Bishop Rt. Rev. G. Christhudhas on 8.11.1986, Due to the efforts of Rev. J. Jasreen the construction of church building was completed and dedicated for the glory of God by Rt. Rev. G. Christudhas on 20.09.1992. DMPB Missionary field was adopted by our church during the period of Rev. C. Retnadhas and also the centenary celebrations of our church was celebrated on 02.01.1994. As a remembrance of centenary day celebration the foundation stone for the construction of community Hall was laid by our Bishop Rt. Rev. G. Christudhas. The first floor of community Hall was dedicated on 25.9.2005 by Most Rev. I. Yesudasan (former Moderator C.S.I Synad) during the period of our District Chairman Rev. A. Yesudhas