Weslian Mission

(1892) and Pithapuram (1902) in East Godavari district, Srikakuiam (1877), Bobbili (1878), Sompeta (1911), Vizianagaram (1911) in Srikakuiam district and Vuyyuru (1891), Akividu (1880), Avanigadda (1912) in Krishna District. The missionaries of C.B.M. Church who played vital role in the coastal districts of Andhra to the north of river Krishna contributed much for the overall development in the socio-economic, cultural and religious fields. They established several hospitals at Akividu, Pithapuram, Kakinada, Samalkot etc., and as a result of which they tried to save so many from the physical sufferings irrespective of creed, colour and caste. In the field of education, the Canadian Baptist mission did yoeman service and established at several schools including the primary, secondary schools, boarding schools, caste girl schools etc, A few such renowned schools include Timphany High School. Visakhapatnam, McLuaian High School, Kakinada etc. Besides these, the industrial schools for the vocational advancement of the people was another important contribution of Canadian Baptist Mission. The lace making and knitting industries were encouraged by the missionaries and there by brought economic advancement to the women folk.51 WESLIAN MISSION: The British Methodist Church was propagating the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Madras and Mysore regions in 1816. Though they thought of working in Telugu areas to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ but due to

various reasons they could not accomplish it. The Missionaries working at Madras sent two missionaries by name Rev. Henry Little and Rev. William Burgess to preach gospel among Telugus. These Missionaries went to Secunderabad and started their missionary work. In the same year in the month of October the missionaries who stationed at Madras sent another missionary by name Benjamin Wesley to assist Rev. Burgess. These two missionaries met one Telugu Christian family in Hyderabad and started Sunday Worship in his house. In 1880 they constructed one Church in such a way which could be useful for both Church as well as School. When the Scottish Mission people left Secunderabad Burgess took that mission Church and brought under his guardianship. In 1880 Burgess fell ill and left to England. As a substitute another missionary by name Rev. Benjamin Frot came to Hyderabad in 1881 and practised Telugu language and later constructed three Churches in Hyderabad, Secunderabad and Trimalgerri. In 1884 he constructed one School in Hyderabad. That year the number of local Christians was 131. In 1884 Benjamin Frot left to Karimnagar and settled there. He started visiting surrounding villages and started preaching gospel of Jesus Christ. Joseph Mangaiah, a local person also helped this missionary in evangelical work and as a result in 1887 as many as 13 villages nearly 274 persons got baptised. In the beginning some Sudras

were reluctant to embrace Christianity and later they also came forward. By 1894 the Christian population in 32 villages surrounding of Karimnagar was 1463. Very speedily the gospel work spread to neighbouring areas. Churches were established in Siddipet and Medak. In Medak Rev. W.H.Sooper served as missionary from 1889 to 1896. Later Rev. C.W.Pasnet came as missionary to Medak. There was severe drought prevailed in Karimnagar areas during 1886-90. Added to it the epidemic decease ‘Cholera’ spread. During this period the missionary Rev. Pasnet gave them work and wages and while they were working he preached them the gospel of Jesus Christ and converted as many as 1330 Hindus as Christians. Later Medak Church developed in a big way. Theological schools, Hospital, Primary and High Schools were established by the missionaries. By 1903 when this Church completed 25 years there were 8631 Christians worshipping Jesus Christ. By 1913 this Church had 14 Weslyan Missionaries, more than 300 native Preachers doing evangelical work in 300 villages. And the Christian population increased to 15, 541. The Wesleyan Church also got merged with Church of South India Union in 1947. This Wesleyan Church became one of the 21 Dioceses of Church of South India.