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Brief History Of Lutheran Church, Lakdikapool, Hyderabad

LUTHERAN CHURCH; Hyderabad “A-1” Parish, Lakdi-ka-Pul, Hyderabad-500 004

Brief History from 1964 – 2024

Andhra Pradesh state with its Head Quarters at Hyderabad was formed in the year 1956. Many Lutheran Christian families from Andhra were relocated at Hyderabad. Some of the families felt the need of Lutheran Liturgy and started pursuing the issue.

Consequently, Late B. Devadattam, P. Charles, M. David John, B. John Victor, Kale Aaron, K. Kamalaiah, B. Ananda Rao, P.A. James, V. Moses, P. J. Subhamani, P. Prasada Rao and others gathered and decided prayerfully to start a Lutheran Church. The Worship was first started at the Methodist Boys High School, Abids, Hyderabad from the year 1960 with the help of the then Principal of the Methodist Boys School Rev. Ch. Luke. Later the Church was conducted at the YMCA, Hyderabad for some time. The Church was also held at the CSI Hindustani Church, Abids, Hyderabad till it was started at the present premises.

Rev. Dr. J. Fredrick Neuoderffer, Executive Secretary of the Board of World Missions of the Lutheran Churches in America visited Hyderabad and with the help of Dr. Clark C. Fry, President, Lutheran Churches in America, secured funds – Rs.1,20,000/- to purchase the old Medical School Building with land belonging to a Nawab at the present site in the year 1962. With the generous contributions of Rs.50,000/- collected by the members, the old building was remodelled and renovated as Nativity Church. The renovated and remodelled old Church Building was named as “Lutheran Centre” and was dedicated on 16th February/1964 by Rev. Dr. J. Fredrick Neuoderffer, South Asia Secretary, Board of World Missions of Lutheran Churches in America.

After renovation of the Church Building, Late Rev. Thumati Joseph was posted as the first pastor. Later Rev. Bhushana Rao worked as a Pastor of the Church for a brief period. After Rev. Bhushana Rao, Late Rev. Lam Charles served this Church for a long period from 1965 to 1970 and from 1979 to 1985. After Rev. Lam Charles, Late Rev. Sundara Rao was posted as Parish Pastor. Afterwards, Rev. C. Yesupadam was appointed as Parish Pastor in the year 1987.

With all the concerted efforts made by the senior members and many other members, the existing new Church was constructed and dedicated to the Glory of God on 30th September 1990 by Rev. Dr. K. Nathaniel, President, AELC, Guntur.

Mr. Pilli David Nath from Guntur was the Architect for construction of this new mammoth Church. The elders who strived hard for the starting of the Church and its development in the initial stages were Late Borugedda Devadattam, Pilli Charles, P.L. Kotaiah, D. Sundaram, M. David John, George Victor, P. J. Subhamani, P. Prasada Rao, B. Ananda Rao, P.J Sylvester, Sarojini Johnson, P. A. James, Pitta Raja Mohan Roy, V. Bharath Rao, T. Rajendra Prasad, R. J.H Harrison, M. Joseph Jayaraju, K.L Sirish Babu, M. Neelambaram, N.S. Prabhuvaram, Lam Mani Jeremiah, A.B. Sundara Rao, V. Prasada Rao and others. It is pertinent to mention that Sri B. Devadattam played a vital role and dedicated his services to establish the Church.

Youth League was initially stared in the year 1964 and Mr. R.J.H. Harrison was the first President of the Youth League and Mr. K. David Livingstone, Mr. C. Moses, Mr. S.D. Kamalakar and Mr. J. Prabhakar and others are the members. The Youtheran is functioning effectively till date with several activities to best satisfaction of the Congregation. The Youtheran have played a vital role in the spiritual growth of the youth of its Church.

Pastors of this Church that Served in the Lutheran Church, Lakdi-Ka-Pul, Hyderabad “A-1” Parish from 1964 to-date are: Rev. Thumati Joseph, Rev. Bhushana Rao, Rev. Lam Charles, Rev. Borugadda Sundara Rao, Rev. D. V. Daniel, Rev. Vemuri Prabhakar Rao, Rev. Yesudas, Rev. Simon, Rev. M. Victor Paul, Rev. G. Sampoorna Rao, Rev. Chebrol Yesupadam, Rev. Dr. B. C. Paul, Rev. Dr. G.S. Vijayakar, Rev. Ch. Elia, Rev. Dr. B. W. David Raju, Rev. B. Gnana Manohar, Rev. G. Joshi Babu, Rev. Dr. Nakka Victor Luther Paul, Rev. Devararapalli Yesuratnam, Rev. K. R. Paul Wellington, Rev. B. Joseph, Rev. Rev. G. J. Moses, and Rev. Dr. Govada Jeevan Kumar, Parish Pastor, Lutheran Church, Lakdi-ka-Pul, Hyderabad “A-1” Parish.

The Church was considered as Special Category “A” since 30/September/1990; Mr. Karlapudi Kamalaiah, Pilli John Sylvester, Dr. Devarapalli Sundaram, M. Joseph Jaya Raju, V. Bharata Rao, T. Rajendra Prasad, C.G. Daiva Dheenam and G.W. Jayakar held the post of Chairman, PCC. Mr. Shirish Babu, Mr. Neelambaram, Mr. M. Swami Dass, Mr. N.J.S. Prabhuvaram, Mr. P.S. Devdass, Mr. Prince Joseph and Mr. Manda Arthur Moses held the post of Treasurer. Subsequent to this, election to PCC was not held and the present Ad-hoc Committee is only handling the Administration with the Guidance of the Parish Pastors.

Since the day of Dedication and inception of the Lutheran Church in Hyderabad, the ministry of the AELC was extended by its ministry by establishing 31 new Congregations in Hyderabad and among them 25 congregations are able to construct Church buildings and are Serving the Lord.

Golden Jubilee Celebrations commemorating the completion of 50 years of the Church starting was conducted by the Ad-hoc Committee in a grand manner on 2nd, 3rd and 4th May, 2014, Late Mr. Pitta Raja Mohan Roy, a Senior & Founder Member, as Chairman of the Souvenir Committee strived hard to consolidate the history of the Church from the date of its inception and till the date of the Golden Jubilee Celebrations in 2014 along with the then Parish Pastor Rev. D. Yesu Ratnam.

The Lutheran Church, Hyderabad Parish has witnessed a turbulent period during the last about two decades. By the Grace of God and persistent prayers of the congregation of this Church, withstood all the difficulties. The members always gave due respect to the AELC and the Pastors appointed by them. The Church services were conducted regularly with reverence and kept up the spiritual growth of the members. The unstinted efforts and constant efforts and actions displayed by the elders throughout the mammoth and monumental by which overwhelming achievement was made in the growth of the Church.

Lutherans from Chotanagpur Region, earlier part of India comprising most part of Jharkhand and adjoining areas of Odisha, West Bengal, Bihar and Chhattisgarh who came to Hyderabad in pursuance of their career became members of the English Service of our Church for the last several years. As per their request and choice, regular Hindi Worship Service is introduced in the Church from September 2023; with the Guidance of the present Parish Pastor – Rev. Dr. G. Jeevan Kumar along with his Team of Pastors.

The present Lutheran Church emerged stronger from lots of trials and tribulations by the Grace of God and by the prayers of so many strong believers. Their prayers and faith in Lord Jesus Christ has lifted up the present day Church and is a living example. The Parish Pastor Rev. Dr. G. Jeevan Kumar with support of the Additional Pastors (Rev. Dr. D. S. V. Finney, Rev. K. Prem Kumar, Rev. K.V. Prasanna Kumar, Rev. S Angela Veronica, Rev. Mentay Sunil, Rev. G. Chenchaiah, Rev. Gnana Prakash Rao Nakka, and Rev. Bonigala Mani Kumar) and Ad-hoc Committee Members (Mr. R.J.H.Harrison, Mr. Bhoopathy Raju, Mr. J. Bhagavandas, Mr. M. Sangeetha Rao, Mr. J. John Wesley, Mr. Elisha Martin, Mr. R. John Diwakar, Mr. P. Sanjay Prasad, Mr. G. Kenny Babu, Mr. G. Franklin, Mr. E.J. Raju, Mr. N. Victor Raju, Mr. M. Johnson Schweitzer, Mr. V. Shadrach, Mr. K. Ratna Kumar, Mr. M. Arthur Moses, Mrs. G.V. Hemalatha, Mrs. P. Sophia Angel, Mrs. D. G. K. Kasturi Bai, Mrs. A. Sherly Pushyaragam, Ms. Dekkapati Nancy, Mr. V. Radha Prasad and Mr. P. Rishi Luther) serving the congregation in a humble way under the able administration and directions of the Central Guntur Synod , Moderator Bishop, AELC, Guntur.

Many Developmental Works involving lakhs of rupees have been taken up in the Church during the last one year with the generous contributions and sponsorship from the members among the Congregation with the concerted persuasion of the Parish Pastor, Associate Pastors and the Ad-hoc Committee Members.

Grace of God

God’s mighty power helped us to support the Sister Congregations in many ways to help them survive and to be established in ministry in Hyderabad. A total of 31 congregations in Hyderabad were established by the unequalent support of the Parish Pastors, PCCs, Ad-hoc Committees, Elders and the Congregation to help them in their Regular Worship Services and other programs. Among these 31 Congregations, 25 congregations are already blessed with the Church Buildings and the remaining are striving to build their Church places.

Ministry of Lutheran Church, Hyderabad “A-1” Parish

In an effort to cater to the needs of the Congregation of the Lutheran Church, the congregation is segregated into various fellowships to understand their needs and to cater them in a more affective and meaningful way to enjoy in God, apart from the regular worship services. Among them are –

As Jesus Christ announces not to obstruct the Children from going to Christ, the Lutheran Church instils the same and strives to provide the Children with the Knowledge of God, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit: with the tireless efforts of the Sunday School Teachers and Volunteers – in its purest form so that the Children of the Congregation grow in fullness of Faith, Love and fear of the God. The Church also gives a platform for the Children to Showcase their talents through playing Musical Instruments, Singing, Playing Skits and so on in Annual programs like the Sunday School Christmas, processions and rallies on the Palm Sunday, and Sunday School Sunday and the VBS program.

The Youth Fellowship of the Lutheran Church, Hyderabad “A-1” Parish was able to come up with a unique name for their Fellowship and have coined the term “Youtheran.” Since the day of the inception of the Lutheran Church in Hyderabad the youth fellowship has been an integral part of the Church ministry and have played an pivotal role in the formation of the youth community in Christian Faith.

The year 2001 marked the highest number of Confirmants into the Congregation of Christian world by conducting the Confirmation order for 21 members since the day of inception of the Lutheran Church. Breaking the same record the 2024 marked the highest number of 35 Confirmants on the Palm Sunday. The Ministry of the Youtheran has been exceptional through their Outreach Programs. One among such outreach programs was the ministry at Gudur, a village in now the Telangana State at a distance of 30 KM from Hyderabad towards the Srisailam Dam.

The Youtheran takes pride in serving the needs of the Church by participating in the decorations of the Church in occasions, Bible Study, organising retreats on holidays, representing the AELC in various global platforms and stages, participation in Choir, leading the Praise and Worship in regular Worship Services and many more. The Church takes pride in the Youtheran.

The Lutheran Church has always recognised the importance of the women of and in the Church and their role in the furtherance of the ministry of the Church to establish the spiritual growth of the Church. The women of the Church have always risen to the Occasion when ever there is need and have never failed to utilise the opportunity to the maximum and have efficiently served the Lord resulting in the development of the Church. They have always been recognised for their Hospitality, Fundraising, Decoration Ideas, and many more.

The women Samaj meets on every Second and Fourth Sundays of the month to cater their Spiritual needs. The Wives of the Pastorate do support the Women Samaj in their spiritual Journey and help encourage each other for the smoother coexistence. The major Motto behind the Women Samaj is to pray for the development of the Church Wholistically as well to intercede towards the needy and the sick.

The Lutheran Church, Hyderabad “A-1” Parish has initiated a Bible Study program for the Senior Citizens in January 2024 by the interest instigated by Rev. Dr. G. Jeevan Kumar. This fellowship also addresses the spiritual needs of the Senior Citizens as with the guidance of the Pastors for a smoother running of the Church and its activities.

Our church is blessed with talented singers and Musicians. The Parish Pastor, Rev. Dr. G. Jeevan Kumar; has initiated a Choir for the Church in May 2023 by bringing both the singers and musicians on to a single Platform. The Parish Pastor – since the day of inception of Choir; has taken measures to give proper practice and support for the worship and Praise in the Church and in the same a Rhythm Pads player was also employed for support in the Music. Mr. Pitta David Johnson and Mr. B. Joy Calvin, Musicians with their team, attending to the Orchestra requirements of the Church with utmost dedication for the last several years. The Choir Team which was existing in the initial years is also reintroduced recently with the special attention of the Parish Pastor.