It is a Christmas celebration to be long-cherished for the devout at ‘The All Saints’ Church in Trimulgherry in Secunderabad, after the giant gothic structure was rededicated for the faithful.
Basking in the glory of Christmas spirit, the ancient structure that underwent a complete makeover stood as a testimony for the painstaking and intricate reconstruction work that took place in the last one-and-half year.
Built in 1860 by the British using the lime motor technique, the Church in the last few years developed leakages over the roof top and crumbling walls.
The Presbyter-in-charge and pastor Rev. S. Sathia Joseph and the executive committee headed by Frederick Michael, pastorate secretary took up the task of reinstating the past glory of the Church without damaging its original heritage structure. The Church was awarded the INTACH heritage award in 2002 by the then governor, C.Rangarajan. Keen to retain the heritage value the Church authorities decided to go for the same lime mortar technique of construction. The work was assigned to M/s APTSORBH (agency for providing traditional solutions for built heritage) from Kanyakumari in Tamilnadu.
The engineers studied the ancient technique before initiating the repairs. The ancient engineering technique involves mixing various herbs, cactus, aloevera plant, dry herbs, eggs and jaggery along with lime flake powder and then churning and grinding in mortar.
This mixture is then placed in a pit (sump tank) for a few days allowing it to ferment. The ground paste of this mixture is then applied on the surface of the walls of the church.
This method is carefully done and the intricate designs of the Gothic structure too were re-designed and molded as per the existing profile and neatly finished using a herbal added fine plastering also known as lime plastering.
The reconstruction work got completed during last week and was reopened for the faithful worshipers in a rededication service.
The grand re-dedication service held on Dec 24 night was attended by Right Reverend G. Dyasirvadam, Bishop in Medak and the local priest Rev. S.Sathia Jospeh and pastorate committee members and Secretary, Frederick Michael and the Diocese Office.
