Wesley Church of Chennai, TN: One of the oldest churches and a fine model of ''Gothic architecture''

Wesley church, Chennai built in with Gothic style .
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Wesley church, Chennai with Gothic structure
en.wikipedia.org

 Wesley Church is one of the oldest churches in the Egmore area of Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s capital city. Built in 1903 by the Wesleyan Mission, it showcases Gothic architectural style and was constructed to meet the spiritual needs of the growing Protestant community in the region. The church is named after John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Movement, which has a presence in over 140 countries.

Stained glass windows, Wesley church, Chennai facebook.com

Wesley church, Chennai Tripadvosor.in

The church stands on a site that was originally a lotus tank, which was filled up when Rev. John Breedan settled in the area in 1892 after the Wesleyan Mission purchased the land. The foundation stone was laid on 28 December 1903 by Prof. George G. Findlay and fellow missionaries. The church was formally inaugurated on 11 February 1905 by Rev. J. Cooling, with Rev. William H. Findlay delivering the opening address.

Wesley church, Chennai en.wikipedia.org

Old pipe organ Wesley church en.wikipedia.org

With  is red-brick exterior, stained glass windows, and tiled spire that  define the church’s Gothic character, it is a landmark building in this  part ofbusy area. Inside, it houses a traditional Methodist altar, plaques of John Wesley and Jesus Christ displayed in glass enclosures, and a historic pipe organ still in use today. A prayer hall accommodates regular services, and educational institutions associated with the church are also located within the compound.

It was built  to meet  the  spiritual  needs  of the  growing   European  community  here. Initially in the Colonial  time the clergy comprised only English pastors, but over time Tamil clergy were also appointed. The church is now governed by the Diocese of Madras under the Church of South India. Daily services are held throughout the week, with special timings on weekends.

Wesley Church celebrates several important events annually. The Christmas festival begins with flag hoisting on 24 December and continues until 2 January, featuring religious lectures and a feast. A notable social outreach initiative of the church is “Parivalaya,” a home for the mentally challenged. The church also observes a Harvest Festival in November, during which rice, vegetables, and other essentials are donated to the underprivileged. Rooted in Old Testament tradition, this celebration emphasizes gratitude and giving back to society.

Today, Wesley Church stands not only as a place of worship but also as one of Egmore’s prominent heritage landmarks, continuing its legacy of faith, service, and community involvement.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wesley_Church,_Egmore