CSI Bethel Church Vellore

Bethel church History

1.Origin-Mission work:

Dr. Henry Martin scudder, the eldest son of Dr. John Scudder who came from America to do medical work in the lasty years of the last 19th century, climbed on top of vellore hill fort. He took a deep look at the town of vellore and its surroundings. He realised that the door to the gospel of Jesus was open in vellore and prayed. His prayers were herd. In 1853 the birth of “American Arcot Mission” was established. The church was established at vellore on Sunday January 28, 1855. This became the central temple for all the churches.

2. The Origin of Bethel Pastorate:

During the centenary of American Arcot Mission held in May 1953, the church leaders and the missionaries decided to divide the “central temple” into two. So that the kingdom of God could be expanded and the congregations could grow even more. A new parish called the “Bethel” was established on 20.07.1953, separated from the mother church, Central church. It was consecrated and inaugurated by the then Archbishop of Chennai Mr. David Chellapa. From the day and construction of the temple, the prayers of the lord were held at seminary in the mission compound were taking place in the church. Arulthiru.C.R. Veeranga, Arivar. John H. Peet, Hon, A. Arulappan, Arulthiru. Ebenezer Tychicus, Arulthiru. E.R.Isaac, Mr. Titus Ebenezer, Mr. I.J. Rajamanicam, Mr. D. Selvanayagam and families of theological training students

Mr. Balasundarm, Mr. Samuel, Mr. Sigamani lived in Sainathapuram. Mr.Moses, Mr.Antony,Mr.Appavu, Mr. Daniel, Mr. Simon, Mr. Ammani Amma and some other families were present in the church with about 50 members. Late. Arulthiru. M. Swami Pillai was appointed as the first pastor of bethel church. After the establishment of bethel church, the bethel pastorate was formed by merging the Gram Sabhas of Bagayam, Ariyur, salamanatham, chittheri, pennathur, edanyansathu, and Usur.

3.The formation first Pastorate committee (1953-1954)

Arulthiru. M. Swami Pillai, Arulthiru. Arivar C.R. Veeranga, Arulthiru. A. Arulappan, E. Tychicus, Mr. E.R. Isacc (Treasurer) Mr. K. Titus Ebenezar, Mr. D. Moses, Mr. D. Aseervatham, Mr. Yovan, Mr. Selvanayagam (secretary), Mrs. B. Bedford, Mr. I.J. Rajamanikam. Bethel was a growing church. Arulthiru. RCA missionary. Arivar. C.R. Veerangan named our temple “Bethel”.