Kochi: The CSI Immanuel Church here, which completed 110 years of its existence, has been declared a cathedral of the Cochin diocese of the Church. CSI Cochin diocese bishop B N Fenn made the declaration regarding the elevation of the church at the third diocesan council of the diocese.

The decision was made considering the various spiritual and social activities carried out by the church, The New Indian Express reported.

The dedication service of the cathedral along with the Holy Communion will be held at 3 pm on May 7. CSI Moderator Bishop Thomas K Oommen will preside over the function. It will be followed by a public reception to the new Synod office-bearers of the next triennium.

Built in 1908 in the heart of the town, overlooking the Cochin Harbour, the church was the first sight that would greet every ship that entered the harbour. Efforts to build the church were initiated by J H Bishop, a CMS missionary in Travancore and Cochin (1867-1913).

The church was built in memory of two missionaries – Edward Bachelles Russell and Alfred Forbes Sealy and was named the Russell-Sealy Memorial Church.

The foundation stone for the church was laid in 1907 by Sir Arthur Lawley, Governor of the erstwhile Madras Presidency. The dedication of the church for worship was held on February 11, 1908, by Metropolitan of India and Ceylon R S Copleston.

The church, besides pastoral care, is actively involved in various charitable and social activities such as feeding the needy, The New Indian Express reported.

Onam sadya and Onam kits for people under the BPL category, distribution of study materials for schoolchildren, financial aid for HIV-afflicted children, educational aid for tribal children at the Immanuel Home, medical and blood donation camps are the various other initiatives of the parish. The church has also helped construct seven houses for the needy under its house construction project.

Moment of pride

The dedication service of the cathedral along with the Holy Communion will be held at 3 pm on Sunday
Built in 1908 overlooking the Cochin Harbour, the church was the first sight that greeted the ships entering the harbour