History of Lewis Memorial CSI Church, Santhapuram - Part 1

In 1795, the London Mission Society (LMS) was started in England and through this mission, many dedicated missionaries came to India to preach the messages of the living God, Jesus Christ. In 1827, The LMS representatives, Dr. Rev. Thyerman and Rev. Bennet came to Ananthanadarkudyiruppu and started the missionary work. In due course of time, they travelled towards the west and found a small place called ‘Nakkamozhi’. The local people received them happily and listened their messages. With the help of the local people they built a thatched(coconut leaves) room to conduct the prayer meetings.This was the first built church in that surrounding.

Image: Santhapuram CSI Church 2017

In 1846, the churches in Ananthanadarkudyiruppu, Eathamozhi, Nakkamozhi, Iykianam, Vairakudyiruppu and Ammandivilai were grouped as one Distict (Seharam). The administration of that  District was governed by Rev. Ebenezer Lewis from 01.06.1846. During the period of Rev. Ebenezer Lewis acquired  8.25 acres of land in Puliankaadu, west of Nakkamozhi. There he built a church, parsonage, school, home for the widowed, Tailoring unit (hand embroidery), settlement areas etc. He digged a well inside the church premises to feed the people of surrounding  area. Rev. Ebenezer Lewis and his wife, Mrs. Emili Lewis worked hard and dedicatedly for the development of the community. They never forced anybody to accept Christianity and to give baptism. But the local people seeing their life as a model and slowly accepted Christianity.

He vested both Nakkamozhi and Puliankaadu into one village . On observing the soft and patience (saanthakunam) of the people, he named the village as ‘Santhapuram’.