2/19/12
So at the crack of dawn, or more honestly and accurately
(in sabbatical time) the crack of 10 a.m. J we set out for a second day of looking at
churches. Just before we set off from the site of the Diocesan church
gathering, I was met by Rev. Stella of Nasirabad and presented with mementos
from their recent 150 year celebration of the founding of that congregation. On
our day excursion in the car we had with us Paul and the current presbyter in charge
at Todgarh and Agitgarh, Rev. Eugene Frederick. We began our visits at the
earliest established congregation and church of Scottish missionary founding in
Rajasthan, the Schoolbred Memorial Church at Beawar, again a congregation where
grandfather (JWD) had served. The name of this township began as a warning “be
aware” … of thieves and robbers and was later changed to its present name with
the accent on the first a. The town as
well as the church is deliberately built in a cross shape. I was invited to
climb the bell tower in order to observe the whole town from that lofty
height. Then we were on to Bhim where
Eugene’s family home is and we met his father, wife, and grown up children. His
grandfather was a minister in Todgarh and in Nasirabad in the period shortly
after JWD served in those places. We were hosted for a wonderful homemade lunch in Eugene’s home,
and his father had recollections from his childhood of JWD. He recalled his
reputation as a strict church administrator, and his gifts as a pastor. The
local church records indicate that JWD served Todgarh church from 1929- 1938.
Todgarh is named for Col. James Todd who, after living with Indian people in
very close relationship for a number of years then returned to England and
wrote an important history of India and Rajasthan. This town came to be named
after him. His account of the warmth and friendship he had come to appreciate
among Indian people is widely regarded as being responsible for the interest of
British people in coming to India, and to a degree for the missionary interest
in India in the late 1850s and 60’s onwards. Todgarh church is perched on top
of a steep hill and commands a wonderful view of the surrounding town and
countryside for miles around. Rev. Eugene is in an honorary position as pastor
of these small congregations, earning his living as a mathematics teacher in
the local high school. Agitgarh’s church building is a much more modest “house of prayer” which
is essentially a one room house that was gifted to the congregation many years
ago. Pausing to pray in each of these sanctuaries, sometime in silence and at
other times alternating in leading prayer aloud was a moving experience. They reminded
me of some of the small buildings and church structures of congregations my
father served in Scotland in my childhood. The journey that began at 10:00 a.m.
finished at 10:00 p.m. with me catching the hotel restaurant just in time for a
late dinner.
Bishop Warris Masih at his desk
With Rev. Stella Annandraj, Presbyter in charge of Nasirabad
Inside Shoolbred Memorial Church, Beawar
Rev. Eugene Frederick and his family in their home in Bhim
Approaching this mountaintop church of Todgarh
Inside Todgarh church
Even as a child I liked to get into the pulpit of any church we visited :)
The little prayer room church of Agitgarh. The congregation numbers 4 - 10 each Sunday
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