History page 1

was due to the energetic effort of Mr. M. W. Walker, who was superintending the work of the building.

NOVEMBER 1888 In connection with the army work, a Soldier’s Home was opened. This proved to be a center of many blessed activities. The “Bangalore Soldier’s Home” with its earnest work would benefit the thousands of Military in South India’s fairest military garrison”. The work of the home was an integral part of the English Churches and has been a vital part of the work of the St. John’s Hill Church. The Mysore District Report of 1888 states that in the Bangalore English circuit this year will be a historic one. The new Chapel in St. John’s Hill (i.e., The Wesley English Church) was almost completed, and that the site chosen for it was an excellent one, affording larger space and better surroundings for worship. This was the third extension in that neighbourhood within the past 13 years. At that time, services were transferred from a very small room to the new Chapel.

“In the same neighbourhood, a Pensioner’s Home, established by the late W. Garrett Esq. was handed over to the Wesleyan Mission in trust by his will”. (Wesleyan Mission Report – Mysore District – 1888) . This home was also connected with the outreach work of the St. John’s Hill Church. This spiritual work of the church was most encouraging and the membership in the Bangalore English circuit was the largest ever in its history.

HARVEST FIELDS: 1889-1890 DEDICATION OF THE ST. JOHN’S HILL CHAPEL EASTER – 1889

We open a new chapel:- our new chapel at St. John’s Hill was recently dedicated to the worship of God when a sermon was preached by the Rev. J. Hudson. B.A., chairman of the district. taking for this text the words “What hath God wrought?” Mr. Hudson gave a deeply interesting and instructive sketch of the origin. History and present position of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. There was an overflowing congregation and the collection realised Rs.140/-. the pulpit was next occupied by the Rev. W. Goudie of Madras, and on the following Sunday the Rev. Henry Haigh was the preacher. Both gave us excellent sermons and both had large congregations. The financial results of the opening services, including the proceeds of the sacred concert, amounted to about Rs.310/-. our heartiest thanks are due to M. W. Walker, esq., of the Bangalore Bank, who besides liberal gifts to the building fund, has devoted much valuable time to the task of directing and supervising the work of the contract.

There was a considerable extension scheme involving the Tamil and English circuits in 1889. “An interchange of property in different parts of the Bangalore Cantonment increased the efficiency of both circuits. “Thus the English Chapel was shifted to the

present site i.e., The St. John’s Hill Church, and the Haine’s Road English Church became the Wesleyan Tamil Church.

Another highlight of the year 1889-1890, was the opening of a Home for destitute and orphan children in the East Parade Compound, and the Young Men’s Christian Association in the St. John’s Hill area. The establishment of the Y.M.C.A in this area, was mainly to cater to the needs of young men, several of whom had experienced great blessings in the recent evangelistic meetings. Until then, some of them felt that no one cared for their spiritual welfare. Hence to extend the good work done and to secure its permanency, this establishment proved to be ideal. The Association hoped to maintain its Christian character, and would advance the temporal and spiritual interest of its members.

Thus the funds of the enlargement scheme at St. John’s Hill area were as follows: i.e., East Parade – Rs.2,800/- St. John’s Hill – Rs.3,250/- and in view of the public character of the Soldier’s Home, the Children Home and the Young Men’s Christian Association, a general appeal for help to promote this “gigantic undertaking” was sent to all interested persons. Donations were to be sent to Rev. W. Sackett, St. John’s Hill, Bangalore. The year 1889, witnessed a most successful Easter Festival i.e., the inauguration of the St. John’s Hill Church, the several enlargement scheme, “liberal giving, the consistent lives and triumphant deaths were all noted with much thankfulness as evidences of growing spiritual life.” (Harvest Fields 1889-1890 p.300).

We have observed so far the dynamism of these tireless workers, who have wrought wonders in the life of the Christian Church in Bangalore. Reviewing the work of the Mission during the past 68 years (1821-1889) we stand amazed at the robust energy and versatility of the Missionaries. The founding of any Church demands hard work, the ability to spend and be spent, exceptional alertness, both mental and spiritual and total dedication on the part of its leaders. The ability to guide the flock and enable them to submit to the grace and discipline of the Christian life, has always been the calling, the challenge and the choice of the shepherd. So it was with in the past, and the birth of this Church is no exception.

FROM THE ANNALS OF THE ST. JOHN’S HILL CHURCH. ev. W. Sackett who left for England in 1889 for recovery of health, could not return and so in 1890, the Rev. Crashaw became the pastor of the English congregation at St. John’s Hill. One striking feature of the Church in 1890, was the great interest taken in the Sunday School, which proved to be a great blessing to the children, and through it to the parents.

During the year 1891-1892, there was a significant improvement in the attendance at the worship services and a small increase in the membership. In 1892, a YOUNG