Sesquicentennial Celebration of CSI Shanthi Cathedral - A Bird's-eye View

Dr Charles V Furtado
Secretary, 150th Anniversary Celebration Committee
Shanthi Cathedral, Balmatta

Mangalore, Dec 7: The Shanthi Cathedral, Balmatta, has been celebrating the150th Anniversary of its church building from December 11, 2011 to December 11, 2012. In this regard the Church had organised various programs throughout the year and we now stand at threshold of the Grand Finale which will be celebrated on Sunday December 9.

The Basel Mission Society, which was established in 1816 in Basel, Switzerland, sent three missionaries to share the Gospel in India. On 30th October, 1834, Rev J C Lehner, Rev C L Grainer and Rev Samuel Hebich established the first station of the Basel Mission in a rented house obtained from a Parsi family in Mission Street which was then known as Neereshwalya. Our Church came into existence with the worship services held in this mission station.

The Peace Church in Balmatta

The Peace Church in Balmatta

Rev Hebich, Dr Gundert and Dr Mogling

150 Years Celebration - Inaugural Function

Womens Seminar at Shanthi Nilaya in March

Family Seminar at Ryshivana, Ranipura in April

Youth Retreat at Bishop Jathanna Auditorium in May

Inter-Church Sports, Cricket Tournament

Inter-Church Sports, Throwball Tournamen

Sunday School Teachers Seminar

Senior Citizens Seminar

Senior Citizens Seminar

Teachers Day

Harvest Celebrations

Mens Fellowship

Harvest Celebrations

Renovation

Renovation

World Sunday School Day

World Sunday School Day

Balmatta Muscial Association Choir

Balmatta Muscial Association Orchestra

Balmatta Musical Association, Oscar Weltha

As the congregation grew in numbers and the space available became inadequate for worship, the then Collector of Mangalore, H M Blair, bought a plot at what was then known as ‘Belmount’ and handed it over to the Basel Mission free of cost. On April 22, 1861, the foundation stone of the new Church was laid. The then Treasurer of the Basel Mission, G Fliederer, not only prepared the blue print of the proposed new church building but also supervised the construction of the Church. On December 11, 1862, the new church building was consecrated and named the Shanthi Church. On December 9, 1962, the Shanthi Church celebrated its Centenary. By virtue of its strategic location in the Southern Diocese, the Shanthi Church was elevated to the status of Cathedral in the year 1970.

The year long celebrations of the 150th Anniversary of Shanthi Cathedral were inaugurated on December 11, 2011, by Rt Rev Dr J S Sadananda, Bishop, KSD. Feeling the need to have a central theme which unified all the programmes and endeavours connected with the 150th Anniversary celebrations, it was decided to adopt ‘Peace be with you’ as the theme.

Reminiscing the glorious journey of 150 years that the Shanthi Cathedral has traversed, we are proud to acknowledge the active and vibrant role played by the Sunday School, the Women’s Fellowship, the Youth Fellowship and the Senior Citizens’ Fellowship in the spiritual and social life of the Church. The Church has not confined itself only to the spiritual realm, but has also given equal importance to outreach programmes like helping the poor, providing medical help to the needy, educational help through the endowment funds etc. The Balmatta Musical Association has also been serving the Church in particular and the society at large for nearly 86 years, through its choirs and music. One of the new initiatives during the Post Centenary Golden Jubilee year is the inauguration of the Men’s Fellowship, a unique venture in the Protestant Churches of Mangalore.

Shanthi Cathedral Church - New Look (Pics by Dayanand Kukkaje)

One of the most important projects taken up during the 150th Anniversary year has been the renovation work of the Church. The renovation work taken up includes the relaying of roof tiles, complete electrical rewiring, installation of a new generator, refurbishing the pews of the Church, varnishing of the entire wood work, painting of the walls and grills, wooden re -panelling of the walls of the altar, a new garden on either side of the front portico, and most importantly the complete restructuring of the bell tower. In addition to this, many relevant seminars, cultural events, retreats, tournaments, a concert, a treasure hunt, an utsav and most importantly outreach programmes catering to the needs of a financially poor church are the highlights of the celebrations which were held throughout the year.

As we stand at the threshold of completing the 150th Anniversary year, and look back at the eventful year that we have traversed, it gives all of us, the members of CSI Shanthi Cathedral, a sense of fulfilment, that with God’s help we have been able to work together and make the year a memorable one in the annals of history. We join the Psalmist in declaring, ‘The Lord has done this, and it is marvellous in our eyes.’ This has indeed been a marvellous opportunity for the Presbyters, the members of the Pastorate Committee, the office bearers and the members of the Celebration Committee, and the members of the congregation to rise to the occasion and become witnesses for His glory. In keeping with Pearl S Buck’s observation - ‘if you want to understand today, you have to search yesterday,’ the anniversary year has been a year of introspection, reminiscing and reinventing for all of us connected with CSI Shanthi Cathedral.

Press Meet

Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (DV)

Addressing a press meet here on Friday December 7, vice-president of 150th anniversary celebration committee, Dr E V S Maben said that the thanksgiving service will be held on December 9 at the Cathedral at 8:30 pm, led by Rt Rev Dr John Sadananda, bishop of CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese and Most Rev G Devakadasham, Moderator, CSI will lead the prayer.  At 5 pm the valedictory programme will be held at the Cathedral grounds. Rt Rev Dr John Sadananda will preside, while state DG-IGP Lalrokhuma Pachau will be the chief guest.

"The Cathedral welcomes everyone to take part in this special occasion," said Dr Maben.

Presbyters of CSI Shanthi Cathedral Rev Daniel Kaundinya and Rev Edward Karkada were present.

Live streaming of the event will be available on TvDaijiworld on Sunday December 9, from 8 am to 1 pm and from 5.30 pm to 9.30 pm.