page_title: Malabar Diocese of the Church of South India
section_title: CSI St. Mary's English Church, Calicut
hierarchical_section_title: Malabar Diocese of the Church of South India / Notable CSI churches / CSI St. Mary's English Church, Calicut
caption_attribution_description: CSI St. Mary's English Church, Calicut.
context_page_description: The Malabar Diocese is one of the twenty-four dioceses of the Church of South India covering the Malabar part of Kerala. The diocese consists of CSI churches in the areas Kannur, Wayanad, Calicut, part of Palakkad district and church in Goa. The cathedral church of the diocese is situated at Calicut and the Bishops House at Calicut
context_section_description: The CSI St. Mary's English Church was built by the British. The original plan of this church was drawn in Gothic design by the then British Chief Engineer Col. Faber. This plan was put aside due to a controversy that arose between the civil district administration and the British military. While the British military wanted the church built at their barracks, the British civil servants wanted it to be located at Civil Station. This controversy kept the project in abeyance until a new Chaplin, Rev. Mickee, was appointed in 1860. He effected a compromise deal by which a Church could be built at an equidistant location both from the military barracks and from the Civil Station. Thus ‘Nadakavu’ was chosen as the location. The District Engineer Cap. Beans R. E., drew a new plan and estimated the project cost to Rs.9085. Government promised a grant of Rs.4500, the Church Building Society contributed Rs.2000 and the local community contributed the rest.
  The foundation stone for the new plan was laid on 8 June 1863 and the church was completed in September 1864. The church was consecrated by Bishop Gell on 28 September 1864 and dedicated to God's service and named in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary. This church is unique in fostering its Anglican traditions. It is the only church in North Kerala Diocese which has a beautiful altar-piece. This altar-piece is a replica of one of the paintings by the Italian renaissance artist Raphael, named "Madonna del Granduca". The unique baptismal font of the church is carved out of a single solid block of blackwood (west coast Mahogany) by an unknown skilled local carpenter. The tie beam roof truss is all wooden and is a combination of collar-braces, queen- post truss, and distinct wooden arches of Oriental style (as found in the Persian Architecture of North Indian monuments). These arches make them unique among the British built churches in North Kerala Diocese.
  In line with her Anglican traditions, candles are always lit during prayer Services and during Eucharistic Services. St. Mary's English Church is also the only church in North Kerala Diocese where Eucharistic Service is being conducted in English vernacular since its inception 150 years ago. Today, the church is active with cosmopolitan composition of members from more than 300 families. There are also two out-station CSI communities at Pathipara and Nooranthode which has churches under St. Mary's English Church Parish.
caption: St.Mary's English Church
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