Centenary Methodist Church Over The Years...

 

The Centenary Methodist Church at Lodhi Road, New Delhi is the result of three distinct powerful forces:

  1. The devotional urge of many Methodist in New Delhi
  2. The desire to commemorate a Century of the Methodist Church in India
  3. The free expression of Christian Gospel for today’s need.

In a vast city like Delhi, being the capital of India, only one Methodist Church was functioning from Old Delhi, CHRIST CHURCH located at Boulevard Road. In New Delhi, there was no other Methodist Church.  To fill the gap Bishop J. W. Robinson in 1940 started small cottage prayer meetings in south Delhi.  What started as a small trickle soon swelled into a stream and there was need felt for a regular church.

In 1948, Bishop J.W. Pickett assigned the late Rev. Yusuf Singh to organize a Church in south Delhi.  With each step, the fellowship grew in numbers and in strength.

The late Rev. P.D. David was then appointed as pastor to take care of these small prayer groups and cottage prayer meetings and also to organize a regular congregation.

In 50s Free Church at Parliament Street provided the much needed space and afternoon Methodist Fellowship at Free Church.  However, Bishop J. W. Pickerr became convinced that a building was very essential to give the growing member of Methodists in South Delhi a sense of oneness. Thus, the idea of Centenary Methodist Church building at Lodi Road New Delhi was born.

Coinciding with this idea, in 1956 came the Centenary of the Methodist Church in India.  The Methodist Church has been serving the religious, social medical and educational needs of the people of this great country.  The Government of India on an application granted 1.27 acres of land to the Methodist Church for a Church building and parsonages.

On December 2nd 1956, Bishop J. W. Pickett laid the cornerstone for this Church building.  A local fund raising drive was launched immediately.  A target to raise Rs. 5,00,000/- was fixed. 9% of the cost was promised by the Board of Missions, Methodist Church, New York.  The local church with a band of dedicated members put their shoulders to the wheel in a strenuous drive to raise funds and a total of 406 people and groups contributed to the targeted amount.  As the establishment of the Church coincided with the Centenary of the Methodist Church in India, it was rightly named Centenary Methodist Church.

On 5th, May 1959, the site was handed over to the contractor Sardar Mohan Singh of the Oriental Building & Furnishing Co. Ltd.  The building plans were worked out efficiently by the Methodist Engineering Officer, under the able leadership of Mr. R.H. King, the architect. 

The Late Biship S.K.. Mondol turned the first spade of the earth and in about 18 months, the magnificent building of the Church came up.  The Church provided a Sanctuary, Parish Hall and  the educational unit for Sunday School.

On 3rd December 1960, the Church building was dedicated to the Glory of God.  The twin towers standout as if proclaiming the message of the Cross.  The late Rev. Hendrick Townsley was the District Superintendent and English pastor, the Late Rev. P.D. David was then the Hindustani pastor.

Then we saw the Rev. E.A. Fritchely and the Rev. R.R. Smyth come as English pastors and the Rev. Joel Singh, and the Rev. E.D. Clive as Hindustani pastors.  Since then Church has grown into two big congregations,  Hindi and English and had some prominent pastors who spent long tenure Rev. M.P. Singh, Rev. Alfred Jacob, Rev. Vinod John and Rev. Ashwini Francis and Rev. Samson Nath. Presently the Church is ministered by Rev. Varinder and  present Bishop of Delhi is Bishop Subodh C. Mandal. 

The Church has also produced some national and international Church leaders.  The CMC is proud to have given two Bishops in Late Bishop Elliot D. Clive, and Bishop Samuel Sunder Singh who served at this Church as pastors.

Rev. Dr. Richard Smyth later served as Development consultant, United Bible Societies Asia Pacific Region and Rev. Richard Rodhers is head of the Leonard Theological College.

The Hindi and English congregations have regular morning services on Sundays with Sunday School youth and women’s fellowships being other activities.  The present membership is around 5000.  The Church grants scholarships to the needy student to pursue higher studies.  From time to time Centenary Church has contributed monetarily as well through leadership towards development of new Churches.  The Church is totally self-sufficient and through benevolences helps needy pastors, reired pastors and their widows.  It is now one of the largest Churches of MCI.

What God started as a small stream is now a mighty river and is powered by the faith of the people in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Besides its Spiritual Commitment, Church also relates to the eminent Leaders who either worshiped with us or participated in church functions.