History of Ebenezer Louis Memorial District Church SanthaPuram

In 1795, London Missionary Society was started in England.This Society sent Christian missionaries to abroad to teach the christian religion to people who are ignorant of it. During the early 19th century, many Christian missionaries came to India Rev.Ringel Toube came as a first missionary to South Tranvancore and he started his missionary work at Mylaudy, in Kanyakumari Diocese.Many people of this village became Christian and it was from here Christianity spread fast to other villages. The people got faith in Christianity,received good education, economic prosperity and civilization.

In 1827, Pastor Dr.DyerMane and Pastor Bennet, the two London Mission Society Representatives came to the
village AnanthanNadarKudy and travelled westwardly and reached the village Nakkamozhi, which was on the west
of Thoppur.They met the many people of the village who are joined together by love and sympathy and lived
peacefully with one's neighbours.These people gave an enthusiastic reception to these two missionaries.They
spread the Gospel to these people.The people volunteered themselves in building the first temporary hut with a
thatch roof in Nakkamozhi village. Thus the two missionaries along with the village,people conducted the first service there. It was from this day, the worship was started. Many people attended the Church Service and same of them joined in Christian Unity.

In 1846, the Churches under Nagercoil Pastorate - AnanthanNadarKudy, VairaKudyirupu, Ethamozhi, Nakkamozhi,
Iaichiyanam,Ammandivillai were brought under new district pastorate. They were separated and thus called as
Churches of south west of Nagercoil and Rev.Ebenezer Louis took the charge of the ministry work of these
separated churches and this ceremony was done in the auspicious presence of Rev.Russel and Rev.White House.

Rev.Ebenezer Louis bought an 8(1/4) acre of land at "Pulliyankkadu",which was on the west of Nakkamozhi.They
built a new Church and conducted service there. They planted Mango trees and Jack trees around the Church and
lived happily with the people.They marked out streets for the people around the Church and built houses onits four
directions. These houses were mainly built for the Church members. They dug a well inside the Church campus,
built a Boarding House for women, an hostel for destitute widows, constructed Schools and Pastor's bungalow and
a Training Centre for women. Mrs.Emiley Louis, wife of Rev.Ebenezer Louis helped her husband in all these
activities.

The place called Nakkamozhi from the east, Puliyankkadu in the west and some more areas were joined together and this new village was named as SANTHAPURAM by Rev.Ebenezer Louis. Many sources in the past say that the village was named as Santhapuram because the people lived there was so kind, lovable and sympathetic. It was named after the Tamil word "SANTHAM" which means love and peace and "PURAM" means the village.It is noteworthy to see that even in the road map drawn by the Government marks the place from west of Thoppur to Arasan Villai Junction as SANTHAPURAM which lies on the highways between Nagercoil and Colachel.

All the missionaries who were on the east of Santhapuram stayed in the Missionary Bungalow at Santhapuram to take rest and then started their journey by sea from Colachel.

In 1860, Travancore London Mission Churches were established. To run these churches they prepared evangelists list, which was aimed to be followed in order.For the first time, they appointed ten evangelists. Among these ten evangelists, one was the pastor of Santhapuram Church, Rev. Nathanuvel and another was the teacher Mr.vethamaanikam, one of the members of the Santhapuram Church.

In 1867, the London Mission Churches for the first time introduced decons to help the duties in the church. Following this, the Santhapuram Church used the help of three decons band these three were the first decons of Santhapuram Church. They were Mr.S.Joseph, Mr.N.Abel and Mr.Y.GnanaMony.They helped a lot to Rev.Ebenezer Louis in all his ministry work and also to the growth and development of Santhapuram Church. Rev.Ebenezer Louis breathed his last on NOV. 30th 1873, at the age of sixty one. He was buried in a place called Buck Hurst Hill. His wife, Mrs.Emiley Louis died on 24th January 1984 at the cage of sixty six in palayamkottai and was buried there. After that, from December 1873 to 1878 Rev.Wilkinson did the ministry work for five years.

On 1st May 1879, Rev.Nathanuvel was annointed as the first Indian Pastor.Rev.Nathanuvel worked hard and built a branch Hospital of Neyyur Mission Hospital, where Mr.G.James did the ministry work as a doctor cum evengelist. Later Mr.S.samuel, one of the members of Santhapuram Church worked as a doctor cum evengelist for a long time.

Rev.Nathanuvel the first pastor of Santhapuram Church worked continuously for 33 years. During his period Rs.2000 was spent towards changing the roof of the Church verandha from bamboo roof to tiled roof.

On 11th Nov 1911, Rev.Nathanuvel died at the age of 78, and he was buried inside the Church campus of Santhapuram. After his period, the growth and development of santhapuram Church began to decline. The roof of the Church was in state of dilapidation. In 1926, Rev.A.Rajamoni was appointed as the pastor of santhapuram Church. On 9th July 1931, the foundation of the present Santhapuram Church was laid by Rev.R.Sinclaire. During his period Paul Danielpuram Church was established. Upto 15 years, the Church under construction remain only with the 4 walls on its four sides. The Church suffered a lot due to the problems occurred during the separation of London Mission and C.S.I in the year 1947. Rev.Rajamoni worked with great missionary zeal till 1953 and after him, his son R.Edward Sam and Mr.R.G.Ponnaiah continued the ministry work in Santhapuram. But during the period of Rev.P.J.Charles, with the great co-operation of the Church members, the present Santhapuram Church was built and it was dedicated on 24th December 1966 by the Bishop His Highness, Rev.I.R.H Gnana Dhasan. The people took 32 years, 2 month and 15 days to build the present Church.

Then in 1976, during Rev.Y.Jacob period, a parsonage was constructed, the old building of the Hospital was mended and Girls Children Home was started.

In 1979, during Rev.M.Rajayyan period, a belfrey was built and also a decision was made to send a pastor to the Hills Ministry on behalf of Santhapuram Church. It was named as Gospel of Peace Mission and it is growing fast by the Church offering. A branch Church was started in Thoppur during his Period

In 1981, the present Santhapuram Church was declared as the District Church and Rev.Y.B.A.Vincent was appointed as the pastor of the Church. In 1983, during Rev.P.J.Jeya Seelan period, the boundary wall infront of the Church, facing the roadside was built. Inorder to extend this wall from east to west, Mr.D.S.Daniels, one of the members of the Church donated his 1(3/4) cent land towards this purpose

Rev.Y.J.J.PackiaNathan took over the charge from May 1988 and it was during his period the foundation was laid for a Library. During his time, May 1st, the day on which Rev.Nathanuvel was annoited as the pastor of the Church was celebrated as Santhapuram Church Day and it was first started in the year 1989,. This practice is continued till today. Many people from other religious became Christians and enrolled themselves in the Church and Saturday in the Church and Saturday Night Prayer was Started.

In 1990, due to the efforts by Christian Youth Association and the donation of the Church members a power generator, a seperate electricity line with fittings and tube lights were purchased. The electronic items like amplifier and speaker were bought by the great efforts of Sunday School of the Church and also by the donations of the people.

On May 1st 1993, Rev.Moses Kesari was appointed as the pastor of the Church. During his period, SethuKadu Dr.SamRoss Memorial Church was built. The door steps of the Church were considerably enlarged and flooring was done around the Church. 90 cent land was purchased for the Church. Mr.P.Raja was sent as a second Missionary under Hills Ministry Scheme and the consecration ceremony was done by His Highness, the then Bishop Rev.M.I.Kesari. Mr.P.Raja is working in Puliyur Missionary field from 30-7-1997 onwards.

Rev.E.SelvaRaj, did his ministry work from 1-8-1997 and during his period, 22 cent land was purchased for the Church and a stage was built in memory of the former pastor Rev.A.V.Barnabas and it was opened by the then Bishop. From May 1999 onwards it is used for conducting convention meetings. The Church which was under repair at Muttam was mended and services are being conducted. A Church was established at Manavilai and services are regularly conducted. On the east side of Santhapuram village, 7 cent land was purchased and Mr.J.Sam Daniel Memorial Multipurpose Building was constructed and it was dedicated on 28-12-2001 by the then Bishop, His Highness, Rev.Devakadatcham. Also a foundation was laid to build a seperate Hall for public functions and meetings on that day by the Bishop.

From 1st May 2002, Rev.Dr.A.Masilamoni took the charge of the ministry and he worked hard towards the upliftment of the village.

Rev.Christopher Dhas did the ministry work from 1-4-2003 and he was there for a month.

From May 1st 2003 to till date Rev.Y.Paul Raj is the present Chairman of Santhapuram Pastorate Church. Due to his effort, a parsonage at SethuKadu was built and it was dedicated on 24-10-2004.

Gracelet Rassiah Memorial Parish Hall construction is going on and let Lord Almighty help us to dedicate this hall in a very short future.

"You shall spread abroad to the west and the east to the north and the south and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth will be blessed." Gen 28:14.