In those days whole of India was ruled by British government, Mogul Kings ruled Hyderabad the Nizam State. Hyderabad was the capital of then Nizam state. Hyderabad and Secunderabad were the twin cities, were having the mixes population of Hindus and Muslims. During those days Spirit of God was working in twin cities. The missionaries established the Wesleyan Methodist Churches one in Hyderabad another in Secunderabad somewhere in the year 1879.
It was the time of Second World War, when whole world was under the grip of life and death, at Secunderabad Lords spirit was actively working through District Chairman Late rev. Frank Colyer Sackett. Wesley Methodist Church Secunderabad was also called as Central church, near clock tower, which was only meant for Wesley boys and girls schools and hostels, Tamil and Telugu congregations also used to join in the Sunday service. Rev. M. Arthur was the presbyter in charge. Secunderabad central church was having five satellite churches, in which Chilakalguda congregation was the largest to which Lalaguda, Mettugadda, Mailargadda were attached. A small piece of land was purchased for the purpose of the church near the Railway lines, with in few days it was to be sold away due to the legal litigations. Then the Sunday services were conducted in a rented house, which was also used as pastor’s residence
There were ten Christian families in Chilakalaguda area they were 1. Mr. N.T.RajaRao, 2. Pakalapati John Devaiah, 3. Mr. Ch. Emmanuel, 4. Mr. Govade Sudershanam, 5. Mr. P. MohanRao, 6. B. Samuel, 7. B.J. Saul 8. Rev. B.K. James, 9. Pastor Chekram David, 10. Sanga John Wesley. These families had about 30 to 40 members. Pastor Ch. PrasannaRao was transferred from Dudigoan to lead this Chilkalguda congregation but unfortunately, after some months he resigned and joined Railway services.
In 1947 when whole India was celebrating it’s independence, the Christian community in southern India was looking for a united Christian church and formed The Church of South India in which processes the Christian districts were replaced with CSI dioceses, Late Rt. Rev. F. whittaker as Bishop and Late Lecato Edward as treasurer for the Medak dioceses. With formation of CSI. Number of Christian believers at chilkalaguda increased, the worship place in the rented house has become very small for growing membership. The elders of the congregation under the leadership of Mr. N.T.Raja Rao and Mr. Sanga John Wesley approached Diocesan authorities for purchase of a land for worshipping place, seeing the enthusiasm Mr. L.Edward treasurer was kind enough to arrange the money Rs 2, 856-00 to purchase 816 sq yards land from Mr. C.W.Naiudu on 18th Feb. 1950.
Chilkalguda congregation with lot of commitments started collecting the funds for construction of a church. The leaders headed by Mr. N.T.RajaRao collected some substantial amount and all leaders approached diocesan authority, on seeing the enthusiasm of the members, diocess liberally added 718 British pounds, it was a great help and a big amount. Mr C.C. Paul then chief engineer of state government got prepared the estimates, plans and approved them. The contract was awarded to Mr. Kokku Ananda Rao a member Wesley church Ramkot. The Zealous members Late Dr. O.W.Elias donated Alter Table and communion railing Mr. O.W. Joseph gave preaching desk, Mr. Sanga John Wesley gave Alter Chairs and Mr. N.T.Raja Rao donated reading desk others gave chairs and benches. The new church with Lime mortar, wood and tiles dedicated for the glory of the God by then Bishop Rt. Rev. F. Whittaker on 17th Feb. 1952.Later on 3rd July 1957 the adjacent plot behind Lte Mr. annuel’s house admeasuring 408 sq yards was purchased for Rs. 13,000-00 from Mrs. ChinnammaTill 1966 Chilkalguda church was under the control of Central Church. In 1967 this church was made as a separate pastorate called as CSI Wesley church Chilkalguda Pastorate under the control of MedakDiocese. Day after day this young and energetic church started growing in Jesus spirit and became themother of five more young churches they are Mettugadda, Lalaguda, Warasiguda, ECILL., Moulali Railway During the time of Late Rev. Nemuri Joseph Period I must mention that Late Mr. Maneul, was Instrumental in introducing sunday evening English service.
Days, weeks, Months and years passed in the service of our heavenly father. 10 families’ grown to 360 families, 30 members became over 1000 members. After 50 years of age once again chilakalaguda congregation felt that the church built by our fathers not sufficient for their children and grandchildren. In 50 years time spiritual growth is strengthening but the materialistic body will be decaying, same way the tiled wooden roof started giving up and the lime mortar walls started dropping down. In this situation the spirit of Nehemiah possessed the chilakalaguda congregation and its presbyters.
The idea of new Church, started at the time of Rev. T.S. Kanakaprasad. From then a study progress was made by subsequent committees and presbyters, Rev. Ch Sadanandam, Rev. V. Yesushanker, Rev. B.D. Premsagar, Rev. Robert Nathaniel, Rev. Shanty Roberts and real Nehemiah’s spirited Rev. G.T.Jayraj along with the existing Bishop’s Commission and elders who could able to shoulder the burden of constructing the grand new church for the glory of God Almighty and to be jewel in the crown of Medak Dioceses.
(Source: Church Souvenir)
