A landmark of renown
SELINE AUGUSTINE
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The Union Church at Kotagiri celebrated its 100th year of inception recently.
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UNPRETENTIOUS: The Union Church.
It is like a shy violet tucked away behind the trees on a higher incline on the Mission Compound Road in the picturesque hill town of Kotagiri in the Nilgiris. The totally unpretentious Union Church here recently celebrated its 100th year of inception. Begun by the Brethren group, the worship centre, now non-denominational, was referred to as Union Hall for some time.
The oldest living member of the congregation, a grand old Swede, Sigme Andersenn, came down from Stockholm for the centenary celebrations of the church early this year. The octogenarian had been a veritable pillar of strength for the entire congregation during her stay in Kotagiri beginning from 1969. She had then adopted ten children from Westfield in Kotagiri, one of whom is Rev. Emmanuel Andersenn, the current presbyter of the church.
According to him, they had undertaken a major renovation programme to mark the hundred years of the church and also held a three-day convention in May last. The CSI church in Kotagiri is about a 150 years old.
Rev. Andersenn said besides the regular congregation, about 40 children from the Kotagiri Public School attend the worship services and in fact, take an active part in leading with guitar and keyboard. The Keswick hymnal and Golden Bells are followed, the choir sings a special number during the services and Michael Ezekiel, a local resident Jew, enhances the sound with his contribution.
According to the Pastor, the centenary projects include support for the tribal mission consisting of Irulas, Kurumbas and Paniyars; and a special Christmas programme incorporating all mainline churches and school choirs on this serene and beautiful hill. Rev. H.Merriweather led the church for a good quarter century at a stretch. Mrs. Merriweather was treasurer till she was 94. Mrs. Vimala M.Bright, founder-Principal of Kotagiri Public School, recalls: "Rev. Merriweather always had a sweet smile on his face and a merry twinkle in his eyes. I remember him asking, "The weather is `merry' on this side of the hill. Is it `bright' on the other side?''
Rev. Joel Benjamin who has had pastoral stints at both the Union Churches of Coonoor and Ooty, remembers how he was impressed by the couple's love, humility, disciplined service, hospitality (this when they were in their eighties) and godly life and conduct.
Long association
The UESI Bible Study Centre at Highfield in Kotagiri, a picturesque piece of sylvan beauty, has a long association of more than 40 years with the Union Church. Dr. Sterett and his wife Eloise, the first staff workers of UESI, sold their property in Canada and bought Highfield in 1958. Arpith Isaac, an VIII standard student who resides in Highfield, has high praise for the worship and fellowship he enjoys in the church. "It is a beautiful church which lies between mountains and valley. It is a small church, but a wonderful one. It has been a blessing to me and to many of my Sunday School friends".
It was in 1904 that the English lady, Miss Philip, who was in Mt. Abu, visited Kotagiri and used to attend the Keswick conventions in Ooty. In 1906, she met Sara O'Hara who then moved to Kotagiri with her. Miss Philip and Sara O'Hara lived in Boston Cottage and completed the construction of the church, `Union Hall' in May 1906.
Barely three years later, in 1909 the trustees decided to enlarge the hall so as to seat about 200. Since 1933 the congregation came under the dispensation of Union Church, the old name of Union Hall was dispensed with.
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