Telangana Chief Minister Celebrates Centenary of Medak Cathedral

Hyderabad, Dec 25 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Telangana, A. Revanth Reddy, conveyed that the Medak Cathedral Church is experiencing its centenary celebration and has garnered national recognition.

He took part in the centenary festivities at the church in Medak, extending his warm wishes to the Christian community during the Christmas celebrations.

The Chief Minister indicated that the government allocated sufficient funds for the church's development.

Revanth Reddy reminisced about his previous visit to the church when he was the state Congress chief, where he sought blessings and promised to return as the Chief Minister.

"Today, I am at the church to observe both Christmas and the centenary celebrations alongside the faithful," he stated.

Stressing that the Congress administration is committed to the underprivileged, the Chief Minister mentioned that Dalit and tribal Christians will be the primary beneficiaries of the Indiramma housing scheme. These communities are also gaining from the provision of 200 units of free power.

Applauding the Christian missionaries, he noted their contributions to education and healthcare. Inspired by their efforts, the Congress government introduced initiatives like fee reimbursement and Rajiv Arogyasri.

The church, recognized as one of the most frequented in South India, was adorned with vibrant lights.

Governor Jishnu Dev Varma also participated in the centenary festivities on December 22.

A significant number of Christians from Telangana and neighboring states, such as Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, took part in the celebrations.

The Medak Cathedral was established by British missionary Charles Walker Fasnet. During a famine, he commenced the church's construction under a "food for work" initiative to provide employment and alleviate hunger.

The church was built between 1914 and 1924, during which the laborers were compensated with paddy.

Consecrated on December 25, 1924, it stands as the largest diocese in Asia and the second-largest in the world, following the Vatican.

The Medak Cathedral serves as the episcopal seat in Medak for the Church of South India, which encompasses Wesleyan Methodist, Congregational, and Anglican missionary societies.

The church complex is an architectural masterpiece spanning over 300 acres. The structure is 100 feet wide and 200 feet long, adhering to the Gothic Revival style. It can accommodate around 5,000 people simultaneously.

The decorative mosaic tiles were imported from Britain, and skilled Italian masons were recruited for the intricate flooring. The bell tower rises to 175 feet and is visible from several miles away.

As per information from the Medak district website, substantial pillars made of finely dressed grey stone support the gallery and the entire structure. The church’s roof is engineered to be sound-proof using hollow sponge material and features stunning vaulting.

The Cathedral's most captivating element is its stained glass windows, which portray various scenes from Christ’s life – the Ascension behind the altar, Nativity in the west transept, and Crucifixion in the east transept. This magnificent Cathedral exemplifies exceptional craftsmanship, attracting over 3 million tourists annually.