St. Michael's and All Angels' Church, Oorgaum, KGF
St. Michael's and All Angels' Church | |
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St. Michael's and All Angels' Church, Oorgaum | |
12°56′57″N 78°15′06″E / 12.9493041°N 78.2517101°E | |
Location | Cooke Road, Oorgaum, Karnataka Central Diocese |
Clergy | |
Bishop(s) | Rt. Rev. Dr. Prasana Kumar Samuel |
St. Michael's and All Angels' Church is located at Oorgaum, Kolar Gold Fields, India. The church stands on Cooke Road, near the KGF Club, south of the Catholic Mother of Mines Church. The origin of the church goes back to 1899, and was for the exclusive use of the (white) officers of the John Taylor and Sons, London, which owned the gold mines at Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), Mysore State.[1][2][3]
History
St. Michael's and All Angels' Church, Oorgaum was the very first Anglican Church to be raised in KGF. It traces its history to the St. Paul's Church, Oorgaum, the original church which was moved to Robertsonpet.[4] The Church was for the exclusive use for the officers of the John Taylor and Sons Company, with the pews being reserved with names of the families. The church was located in an exclusive secluded zone accessible only to white officers of the mining company.[1]
St. Paul's Church, Oorgaum
According to a report in 1916, by M L Griffith-Jones for the
Rev. L Giffard Pollard was appointed as the chaplain of the St. Paul's Anglican Church in December 1901. During his tenure, the process of building a new church started, as the present structure had developed cracks as a result of sinking the Bullen shaft near the church. It was decided to build two separate churches for the English and the
St. Michael's and All Angels' Church, Oorgaum
On 8 October 1903, the foundation stone for the new English Anglican church was laid on the site allotted by the Gold Fields of Mysore Company. The church and parsonage was constructed in the Victorian style, using bricks and stones. The church was consecrated as the St. Michael's and All Angels' Church on 3 March 1905.
The altar, pulpit and the pews were removed from the old St. Paul's Church, Oorgaum and installed at the new church, along with a new carved teak lectern. A pipe organ was obtained from
Church of South India
St. Michael's and All Angels' Church was under the administration of the Church of England, Madras Diocese, with the chaplains being appointed by the John Taylor and Sons Company. After Indian independence in 1947, the church was transferred to the Church of South India, Mysore Diocese.[4]
Present times
The Church celebrated its centenary in 2015.[4] The church receives visitors from around the world. Most of the visitors come in search of the church where their ancestors were christened or baptised.[5] The church has a relationship with the South India Biblical Seminary, and practical training to trainee pastors.[6]
References
- ^ ISBN 978-1482815078. Retrieved 4 January 2015.
- ISBN 978-1452051031. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ISBN 8120613449. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ^ a b c d e White, Bridget (25 July 2012). "St. Michael's and All Angels' Church, Oorgaum, Kolar Gold Fields". Kolar Gold Fields - Nostalgia. Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ^ Pendle, Sarah (2 November 2014). "St. Michael and All Angels Church KGF – part 1". Retrieved 4 January 2016.
- ^ SIBC (6 June 2010). "Visit to St. Michael's Church, KGF". South India Biblical Seminary. Retrieved 4 January 2016.