Establishment of Denominational Churches in Andhra Pradesh; Telugu Baptist Church

ESTABLISHMENT OF DENOMINATIONAL CHURCHES IN ANDHRA PRADESH: The most important feature of 19th Century Christian Missionary work was establishment of Denominational Churches by Europe and American States in India in general and Andhra and Rayalaseema regions in particular. The most significant and related Churches established in these areas are: TELUGU BAPTIST CHURCH: (AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCH) The Telugu Baptist Church was established in 1840 in Nellore by Samuel Dey an American Baptist Missionary. The American Baptist Christians started ‘American Baptist Missionary Union’ America in 1814. Rev. Amos Sutten a Missionary of Baptist Evangelical Church of England which was started in 1792 came to Orissa region to propagate Christianity. When he went to America in 1835 he participated in a big Baptist Churches Conference and submitted a memorandum expressing the need and urgency of preaching Gospel in Andhra region among Telugus. Conceding his request the American Baptist Missionary Church sent Samuel Dey alongwith his wife to India. He reached Calcutta in 1836 and from there he travelled to Visakhapatnam. From there he reached Madras and after learning Telugu language he went to Nellore in 1840 and

started Telugu Baptist Mission. In 1848 Layman Jnett came as Missionary to Nellore and joined with Samuel Dey. As the local people did not accept Christianity as their faith, these Missionaries decided to leave the place. But Layman Jnett decided not to leave Telugu people. In 1854 Jnett and his family members along with three national Christians by name Nurse, Julia and Ruth started another branch of Telugu Baptist Mission Church at Ongole in 1865. Dr. John Clough came as Missionary from America and settled at Ongole. During 1876-77 there was severe drought in Ongole area and that time Clough accepted the work of digging a small portion of Buckingham Canal and that helped many people by giving them canal work. At the time of executing the canal work he started preaching the Gospel to the people. Those workers who listened to the preachings of John Clough converted themselves into Christianity. On July 3, 1878 as many as 2222 people got Baptism in ‘Gundla Kamma river’. Clough toured the neighbouring villages and converted many people into Christianity. During that year more than 9000 persons became Christians. In addition the ‘Sudras’ of this area who came and listened to Clough’s preachings, good number of Dalits belonging to ‘Madiga Caste’ believed Christ and converted themselves into Christianity. In order to strengthen the people who believed Christ and became Christians, a theological school was also started at ‘Ramayapatnam’ in

1869. This Institution produced thousands of preachers who later served as full time Evangelists in and around Andhra Pradesh. Later Telugu Baptist Churches were established in Cumbum, Vinukonda, Narasaraopet and Bapatla. The Evangelical work was so speed and active in these areas. On December 28, 1890 nearly 1671 persons were baptised at Dr. Clough’s Bunglow. Few months later as many as 10,000 people were baptised. Consequently Churches were started in Kanikiri, Kandukuru, Podili, Sathanapalle areas each place one Missionary stayed with family and looked after the Church and Missionary work.42 From this place, the Missionary work of Telugu Baptist Mission spread to Telangana region of Nizam State. For the first time in Secunderabad Telugu Baptist Church was started in 1875. Later in 1898 Missionary work spread to Hanumakonda and Nalgonda areas. Later it spread to Kurnool District also. The methods and techniques adopted by Telugu Baptist Mission in preaching the Gospel positively helped to spread Christianity quickly to various parts of Andhra Pradesh especially among Telugus. These Missionaries not only concentrated in evangelical work but also took interest in the establishment of schools in these regions. In 1879