History
To restore mankind who lived in sinful darkness, crucifixion on the cross was given as the price by our gracious god almighty through Lord Jesus Christ.After Lord Jesus Christ carried up into heaven, the Christianity was introduced to India by St. Thomas, the apostle, who landed in Kerala in 52AD, he sown the seeds of gospel to scatter over the ground for growing.In 1806, German missionary Wiliam Tobias Ringel Taube landed in kanniyakumari and proclaimed the gospel. He was the 1st protestant missionary in the far south of India. He spent much of his time in Travancore.
The first church of India was opened by him during 1809 in Myladi. As his health condition deteriorates, he went back to Germany. During1829, in the absence of Ringel Taube, England millionaire Rev. Charles Maed arrived at Colachel through London mission society and he established his ministries in Neyoor.
Christianity in Devicode
Devicode is located 2km from Midalam beach. In the 19th century, the people of the Devicode village went to meet every day needs in Karungal and Toduvetti, today the so called Marthandam. The Devicode church was one of the congregations formed by Rev. MaedIyer while serving as a missionary in Kotharaivillai. In 1828 a Christian church and school was constructed with palm tree leaves as a tent. At that time 75 members were members of the church. The number of students studied in school was 10 people. In 1878, Rev. Yovan served as a pastor.
Devicode as Circle Church
Rev. Charles Clover, who served nine places in 1831 under Devicode Church, like Parapaaravilai, Manakamuvilai, Parrapu, Paloor, Midalakadu, Mukkalampadu, Kannanvillai, Pandaravillai and Pottalkuzhi. Then in 1858, Rev. Vedamanikkam was served as a pastor. In 1864 Rev. Sebastian was served as a pastor in addition in which he also served in Irrupuvizhagam. The rapid growth of Neyoor district paved the way to develop Devicode as a circle church by Rev. Hacker Iyer in 1895 as he divided Neyoor district into two circles.
Rev. Isac Henry Hacker
In 1893, Rev. Henry Hacker visited the church as a second missionary who was known for the construction of various churches. Three English letters I.H.H. were written in all the churches built by him, which is the expansion of Issac Henry Hacker. He prayed in all homes and helped them with generous grace and earned the love of the people of Devicode. He was the reason for the creation of an expanded church. A strong church was formed with the help of various families through his strong will power.
Mission House / Pastor’s House
Scotland missionary Rev. Sinclair is the third missionary who came after Henry Hackers came to serve in Devicode church in the year 1929. During that period there was absence of transport facilities and there was no home for missionary work. To rectify this problem, in the year 1929, Rev. Sinclair built mission house when he served in Devicode. Thus the Devicode church founded by the British missionaries has grown up and spread like the banyan tree.
Pastorate Church
Thus the fastest growing Devicode church which was under Neyoor district became the circle church, under which Paloor, Kannanvilai, Vannanvilai, Kadamankuli, Parakanvilai, Kunchakode, Amsi Mukkadu, Pooteti church were functioning. The church attained pastorate status in 1961.
Church Tower
In 1957, the church tower was constructed with the help of the congregation by Rev. Daniel Iyer. The church bell was donated by Dr. Matthias and his brothers. The electricity connection was provided for the entire church by Mr. Rasalam Deeconor from Koodalvilai. The church compound was constructed by Dr. Jeyahar in 1961.
School
In 1918, a school was built near the church, many people in the area were educated in this school. The first of there was Kottavilai Samuel, and later Kutriparavilai Natchatiram and Kannanvilai Albert worked as teachers. This primary school, which was initially controlled by the church, later passed to the government control. Now this became a high school.
Creche
In 1971 the crèche was started for children care for the benefit of the poor. In the early days, the creche in the church premises has been functioning in beautiful buildings built on the mission space belonging to the church since 1988. Through this many poor people are benefited.
District Church
Devicode pastorate church attained the status of district church in 1978. Parakkanvilai, Theruvukadai, pastorate churchPoteti, Ebenezerpuram, Koodalvilai, Viswasanagar are the church under the control of Devicode district church. In 1993 a power generator was purchased at a cost of Rs.40,000. In 1994 the church had set up a bore well in the church premises at the cost of Rs.25,000. In 1996 an electronic musical instrument was purchased at a cost of Rs.42,000.
Mission House
In 1996 there was a turning point in the development of church during which the mission house was built at a cost of about eleven lakh rupees.It is noteworthy that the Engineer Ashokan Solomon has provided Rs.1,00,000.
Gospel Work
Devicode congregation is moving forwarded in every mission of the hill station missionary activities as well. In 1994 at Athipadi platform a church at a cost of Rs.1,25,000 was built in the name of “Dr. Mathias Memorial Church”. In 1996, the gospel had been dedicated and lent to Thekkampattu for rowing the Gods word. And the lord is blessing us every year to conduct convention meetings through which the gospel was preached by the following leading Evangelists like Bro. Mohan C. Lazarus, Bro. Appathurai, Bro. Devish Daniel, Sir. Padma Mudaliar, Bro. Giftson Daniel, Sadhu Gliden.
Social Work
In 1995, from the board of youth fellowship helped to construct a home for a handicapped poor family Mr. Francis for Rs.30,000. Since 1995 pension project has been functioning by this means, people are getting help each month. There are more than 750 families in the church has been involved actively in the social work. There are several medical camps conducted every year to help poor people.
New Church
How many enthusiasm is there in the minds of congregation. How much love they have on the lord! The new church was built with unity of the congregation within 6 years at the cost of Rs.40,00,000.
Community hall and Auditorium
Community hall and auditorium is a long awaited dream of the community. The foundation of community hall was laid on 03/02/2008 by bishop Rt. Rev. Devakadatcham and dedicated by him on 21/06/2015. Saudi Tamil Sangam association set up an art platform (Auditorium) by considering the difficulties of organizing the special events of the church in church premises by the effort of Mr. S. Wilfred John. It was named as “Rev. MaedIyerMemmorial Auditorium”. This auditorium was dedicated by Rev. X. David Gunamani on 25/12/2016.
Thus our congregation is a tradition church that teaches true Christianity and also serves social services without stopping in doing so in the region.
Reference
Agur C.M., (1903), “Church history of Travancore”, SPS press, Madras, Vepery, pp-816.