Raunak Shankhwar: started first post added tags

2024-09-22T19:28:52Z

started first post added tags

New page

{{Short description|Church in Tamil Nadu, India}}
{{Use Indian English|date=October 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox church
| name = St. Stephen's Church, Udhagamandalam.
| image = Main Gate Stephens Church Ooty Jun22 A7C 02040.jpg
| imagesize = 300px
| imagealt = St. Stephen's Church, Ooty
| landscape =
| caption = St. Stephen's Church, Ooty
| coordinates = {{coord|11.414687|76.702056|region:IN-TN_type:landmark|display=inline,title}}
| location = [[Ooty]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
| country = [[India]]
| denomination = [[Church of South India]]
| previous denomination =
| churchmanship =
| membership =
| attendance =
| website = {{url|http://www.ststephenschurchooty.co.in}}

| founded date = {{start date|df=yes|1830|01|25}}
| founder = [[John Matthias Turner]]
| dedication =
| dedicated date =
| consecrated date = 5 Dec 1830
| past bishop =
| people =

| status =
| functional status =
| heritage designation =
| designated date =
| architect = John James Underwood
| architectural type =
| style =
| groundbreaking =
| completed date =
| construction cost =
| closed date =
| demolished date =

| capacity =
| length =
| width =
| width nave =
| height =
| diameter =
| other dimensions =
| floor count =
| floor area =
| dome quantity =
| dome height outer =
| dome height inner =
| dome dia outer =
| dome dia inner =
| spire quantity =
| spire height =
| materials =

| parish =
| deanery =
| archdeaconry =
| episcopalarea =
| archdiocese =
| metropolis =
| diocese = Coimbatore
| province =
| presbytery =
| synod =
| circuit =
| district =
| division =
| subdivision =

| archbishop =
| bishop =
| dean =
| subdean =
| provost =
| provost-rector =
| viceprovost =
| canon =
| canonpastor =
| precentor =
| archdeacon =
| prebendary =
| rector =
| vicar =
| curate =
| priestincharge =
| priest =
| asstpriest =
| minister =
| assistant =
| honpriest =
| deacon =
| deaconness =
| seniorpastor =
| pastor =
| abbot =
| chaplain =

| reader =
| organistdom =
| director =
| organist =
| organscholar =
| chapterclerk =
| laychapter =
| warden =
| businessmgr =
| liturgycoord =
| reledu =
| rcia =
| youthmin =
| flowerguild =
| musicgroup =
| parishadmin =
| serversguild =
}}

'''St. Stephen's Church''' is located on the road to [[Mysore]] in [[Ooty]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ooty.com/worship.htm|title=Churches|publisher=ooty.com|access-date=2011-02-02}}</ref> in the state of [[Tamil Nadu]], [[India]]. It is one of the oldest churches in the [[Nilgiris]] district.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mapsofindia.com/ooty/tourist-attractions/|title=Ooty Tourist Attractions|publisher=mapsofindia.com|access-date=2011-02-02}}</ref><ref name=hist>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamilnadu-tourism.com/tamil-nadu-temples/st-stephens-church.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130203084536/http://www.tamilnadu-tourism.com/tamil-nadu-temples/st-stephens-church.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=3 February 2013|title=St. Stephen's Church|publisher=tamilnadu-tourism.com|access-date=2011-02-02}}</ref>

== History ==
The church dates back to the 19th century. [[Stephen Rumbold Lushington]], the then Governor of [[Madras]], who keenly felt the need for a church in Ooty exclusively for the British, laid the foundation for the church on 23 April 1829, to coincide with the birthday of [[King George IV]]. St. Stephen's Church was consecrated by [[John Matthias Turner]], Bishop of [[Calcutta]], on 5 November 1830. It was opened to the public [[Eucharist|communion]] on [[Easter Sunday]] 3 April 1831. It came under the [[Church of South India]] in 1947.<ref name=hist/> The architect in charge was John James Underwood, Captain, Madras Regiment.<ref name=hist2>{{cite web|url=http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/newpages/Heritage%20_Trail.pdf|title=Ootacamund-Heritage Trail|publisher=nilgiris.tn.gov.in|access-date=2011-02-02|archive-date=24 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110724231802/http://www.nilgiris.tn.gov.in/newpages/Heritage%20_Trail.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Architecture ==
[[File:Front Right Stephens Church Ooty Jun22 A7C 02028.jpg|thumb|left|225px|St. Stephen's Church (ca. Jun 2022)]]
[[File:StStephensFoundation.jpg|thumb|left|225px|Foundation stone]]
The massive main beam and other timber used in the church were taken from Tipu Sultan's palace on the island of [[Srirangapatna]]. The material was transported up the Sigur ghat. The architect was Captain J.J. Underwood and the construction cost about Rs 24,000 at the time. The foundation stone was laid in April 1829. A painting depicting the [[Last Supper]] is displayed on the wall on the western side, which is situated above panelled doors. The church also features stained glass windows depicting, among other scenes, the [[crucifixion of Christ]] and [[Mary (mother of Jesus)|Mary]] holding [[baby Jesus]] in her arms. Instead of the usual bell in the tower, 4 hammer-like structures are tied on inverted-V shaped wooden planks using wires, which when pulled from the floor, produce a musical sound. The church also has a [[pulpit]] with a flight of steps to the left of the chancel, a pew with a chancel in a raised position and a [[vestry]].

==See also==
[[File:Info Stephens Church Ooty Jun22 A7C 02036.jpg|thumb|left|170px|Info board on gate (ca. Jun 2022)]]
* [[Holy Trinity Church, Ooty]]

== References ==
{{commons category}}
{{Reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* {{Cite book | title=Tourism and Visual Culture, Volume 1: Theories and Concepts | last=Burns| first=Peter| year=2010| pages=10| publisher=CAB International|isbn=978-1-84593-609-9}}

==External links==
* [http://ststephenschurchooty.co.in/history.html History of the church]

[[Category:Churches in Nilgiris district]]
[[Category:Church of South India church buildings in India]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Ooty]]
[[Category:1830 establishments in India]]

St. Stephen's Church, Udhagamandalam - Revision history

Raunak Shankhwar: started first post added tags