St. Paul’s CSI Church Mulakkulam Village, Kerala, India St. Paul’s CSI Church Mulakkulam Village, Kerala, India Presentation to the Cathedral of St. Paul Erie PA, USA Sunil Yesudas 7 th Sept NAMASTE………DHNYAVAD

AGENDA INDIA & KERALA CSI CHURCH & OUR DIOCESE HISTORY OF ST. PAUL’S CSI CHURCH OUR CONGREGATION NEW CHURCH BUILDING CURRENT STATUS & NEXT STEP ARCHDEACON’S VISIT PHOTOGRAPHS ST. PAUL’S CSI CHURCH - MULAKKULAM

INDIA & KERALA INDIA KERALA Kerala – One of the 4 South Indian States Area 15,000 Sq. Mile, (1.18%) Population 320 MM (~3%) One of the famous Tourist Destinations in India Nicknamed as “GOD’S OWN COUNTRY” Kerala has a literacy rate of 91% (Highest in India) Christianity – 3 rd largest religion of India Kerala - Cradle of Christianity in India St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus arrived Kerala in AD 52 By 18 th Century, European missionaries started mission work among the “untouchable people” India’s Christians

CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA & OUR DIOCESE CHUCH OF SOUTH INDIA Church of South India was inaugurated on Sept Union of Churches from varying traditions - Anglican, Methodist, Congregational, Presbyterian 21 Dioceses, 14,000 congregations, 3.8 million members MADHYA (CENTRAL) KERALA DIOSCESE In existence since 1879 – as Anglican Diocese of Travancore & Cochin Mission field for Church missionary Society - England 11 district councils, 383 congregations, 275,000 members Established & runs schools and collages

ST. PAUL’S CSI CHURCH - MULAKKULAM More than 120 years old. Founded & Built by Christian Missionaries from England. Congregation started with 18 “dalit” (backward class) families evangelized and baptized by Rt. Rev. J M Speechly Traditionally agricultural laborers attached to a feudal lord (do not own land or home) The original church shed was close to a paddy field – Flood issues & opposition from local feudal society Relocated to the current area and rebuilt built by missionaries

ST. PAUL’S CSI CHURCH - MULAKKULAM 145 families, Over 600 members Mostly agricultural and casual laborers (construction, rubber tapping, paddy field worker) Average family income ~ 3000 Indian Rupees per Month (US$ 70) The young generation attend school & college

New Church Building - Plan Stone Foundation & Basement Brick Walls Concrete column Structure Roof on Steel truss Asbestos sheet roofing Wooden windows and doors Concrete Flooring

Church Hall (60’ x 31.5’) Altar (12.4 x 31.5) Porch (14.8’ x 21.4’) Side Room New Church Building - Plan

Current Status & Money Spent Foundation - COMPLETE Basement - COMPLETE Wood Work for Window and Door Frames – IN PROGRESS Next Step… Side wall construction to be started

Estimated Project Cost & Fund Collection Estimated Total project Cost in 2006 = INR 2,070,000 (Equivalent to US$ 45,000 at that time – conversion rate) Estimated Total project Cost (2008) = INR 2,700,000 (Equivalent to US$ ~ 60,500 - ~30% increase) Current Gap – US$ 29,775

Archdeacon’s Visit – June 2008 Gail Winslow, The Archdeacon of Northwest Pennsylvania Diocese visited us in June, 2008 Dr. Sunny Thomas & Family from Warren, PA accompanied the Archdeacon Visited the construction site. Spend time with the congregation

Rev. James David & Family Catechist. Mathai John & Family Rt. Rev Thomas Samuel Our Bishop

THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRAYERS THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT Cathedral of St. Paul, Erie, PA will be remembered by our future generations….At St. Paul’s Kerala