Date:03/06/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/06/03/stories/2006060303770200.htm

Karnataka - Bangalore

Work on restoring this historical `edifice of faith' launched

Staff Reporter

The 140-year-old church was originally meant to be a Scottish `kirk'

A LANDMARK PRESERVED: St. Andrew's Church in Cubbon Road, Bangalore, is under renovation. — Photo: K. Gopinathan

Bangalore: The 140-year-old St. Andrew's Church on Cubbon Road is getting renovated. It is a careful work of restoration, keeping its architectural uniqueness intact.

It started as a Scottish "kirk", when the foundation stone was laid on November 22, 1864 and the edifice was completed to be opened for worship in 1866. The early congregation was almost entirely men and officers of the Scottish regiments from Britain stationed here and a few civilians of Scottish origin, all followers of the Presbyterian sect.

A few "natives" were allowed to occupy the back pews. The services followed the traditions of the Church of Scotland. The clock on its tower was once consulted by many to set their spring-wound watches.

After 1947, St. Andrew's became part of the Church of South India.

Over the years, services began to be held in Kannada too. Foreign members of the congregation gradually became fewer. The church now supports education for children in slums and helps their parents improve their socio-economic backgrounds.

Last year's record rainfall damaged the belfry of the church and the portico — where once horse carriages used to halt. The bell tower was beginning to sink into the earth over the years. The pews inside now seat a congregation of 600 families. The CSI diocese approached some retired faculty of the IISc., for advice in the restoration work.

Veteran structural engineers such as Dorairaj, now a resident of Chennai, helped too. Civil Engineer V.S. Shriram, who has studied old sketches and photographs, took up the work in April this year and the work is expected to be completed in three more months. The old "kirk" will become more eco-friendly now with rainwater channels, which will avoid stagnation of water, which caused the bell tower to sink. The portico will get new supporting arches and the tower's cornices will be strengthened with steel.

Church's secretary Stanley R. Chellappa says: "St. Andrew's is not just a building but an edifice of strong faith". The church building will now become a stronger structure.