BENGALURU: At the chaotic junction of Hudson Circle, opposite the Corporation Building, stands the 112-year-old Hudson Memorial Church.
Rev Dr Solomon Thomas, presbyter in-charge and vice-president of Karntaka Central Diocese, says, “This is the Mother Church of all Kannada churches in Karnataka. Presently, there are 1,200 families who are members of this church.” Rev Ruth Rekha Michael, assistant presbyter, adds, “Built in 1904, it is named after Josiah Hudson, a missionary who contributed towards the development of education in the province.”
Pioneers in Modern Education
As early as 1800s, the London Missionary Society and Wesleyan Missionaries, both run by prominent pastors, began their activities in the city with a primary objective of imparting high quality education, says Arun Prasad, an independent researcher and historian. “Along with schools, they also opened printing presses. They were responsible for imparting modern indigenous vernacular education along with the English education. They were also the pioneers in advocating women’s education.” Wives of the missionaries too signed up to promote women’s education and started girls’ schools.
Arun adds that the Wesleyan Missionary established schools in the Cantonment area and also one in the Pete area in 1840s. A room in the building was used for praying.
A journal states that it was a hub of traders. The church became famous as ‘Gudihatti’. But they had no chapel of their own. In 1856, the missionary bought an old building on a narrow lane of Gaanigarapet, today called Nagarathpet.
“They started a school and a chapel with two rooms in the same premises. For reasons lesser known, the church faced objections from the locals and they had to take police protection to conduct prayers,” says Arun Prasad.
The congregation gathered to worship for more than 45 years in this Nagarethpet church (also called the Peta chapel).
In 1857, the native Kannada preachers joined the Wesleyan Mission as preachers. The first pastor was Andrew Philip, who served in the church for 45 years. The other prominent pastors who served in the chapel include Robert William, J A Vanes and Josiah Hudson.
In the late 19th Century, the congregation swelled to 250 faithfulls and it became difficult to accomodate all. Hence, they had to look out for new premises. Arun adds,"On January 19, 1900, Rev J A Vanes bought a piece of land at the current location for Rs 2,000. A new church was built with a capacity to hold 500 people.”
It is also said that children of late Dr Arokyam Pillay, inspired by their aunt Dr Aayachamma, sold the land to Rev Vanes.
Those who Built the Church
Arun Prasad says, “The total cost of construction was about Rs 25,000 which was raised through contributions from different walks of life. The donors included the Maharani and Dewan of Mysore.”
The journal states that a sum of Rs 5,276 was received in connection with the Century Fund Movement by the missionaries and their friends, and Rs 4,429 from Indian Christians throughout the province. It further states that Maharani of Mysore contributed Rs 300 and Dewan contributed Rs 200. An anonymous donor paid Rs 500 for the bell. The architect J H Stephens gave the circular window of coloured glass over the door. A Mr Darling presented the organ and Mr and Mrs Thorp gave the Bible and hymn books.
The Opening Ceremony
The church was opened for public on September 23, 1904 by Hudson’s daughter Mrs Thorp, who hailed from Mysuru.The journal says that apart from the Indian Christians from the various Wesleyan congregations, missionaries of London Missionary Society were also present along with their students and friends at the occasion. And opening ceremony was attended by about 700 people.
A dedicatory service was held in Canarese. In the evening, a public meeting was held where Rev D A Rees presided. Revs G W Sawday and T Luke delivered addresses in Canarese and Rev H Guilliford delivered an address in English. The meeting was closed with a prayer in Tamil by Rev F Goodwill.
Architecture
Though the church was restored in 2000, Arun says, “Utmost care was taken to maintain its old charm and architecture.”Without any undue ornamentation, the building presents a handsome Gothic appearance.Arun says, “There are huge windows with multicoloured glasses. It has three entrance doorways in a row with gabled roofs. The interiors look rich and the pulpit has interesting wooden railings.”The journals states that there are no pillars that punctuate the prayer hall, which makes it an airy expanse, and the floor of the nave and transepts is paned with dark red English tiles and the chancel with white marble. The pulpit, communion table, reading desk and chairs are all of teak from Karur.
Josiah Hudson
Josiah Hudson was born to a family of priests in Kendal, Westmoreland, England in 1840. After completing his studies in Manchester, he became a priest in 1860. According to a journal, he was 24 when he came to India as a missionary and served for 33 years in the country. He was actively involved in the service of the mission until his death in 1896. He was cremated in Madras, now Chennai.
Cenotaph
Historian Arun Prasad says there was a monument next to the church that was erected by the British in memory of its soldiers after the Anglo Mysore War. “The monument was later demolished in 1960s.”
The Church Services
The church opens every Friday and Sunday at 8.30 am. The services are rendered only in Kannada. Rev Dr Solomon Thomas, presbyter in-charge, says, “A praise worship service is conducted every Friday. We also provide widows’ pension every month. There’s a community centre close to church where we hold marriages and other functions.” Rev Ruth Rekha Michael, assistant presbyter, adds, “We have also been organising lenten service for the past two years now.