Tucked away in the historic Main Guard Square area of Madurai, on South Avani Moola Street, stands an interesting reminder of the city's colonial past – St. George’s Church, popularly known as the Stone Church. Its history goes back to the early years of British rule in Madurai, when European soldiers, administrators and missionaries began establishing a presence in the city.
Madurai came under British control in 1763. With European troops stationed here, the need for a place of Christian worship gradually arose. Initially, the congregation depended on visiting missionaries. The well-known missionary Rev. Christian Friedrich Schwartz of Tranquebar and Tanjore occasionally ministered to the Christians in Madurai. Later, Rev. Frederick Fisher took steps to establish a permanent place of worship.A modest chapel was built around 1800, reportedly under the auspices of the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK). However, as the European and local Protestant congregation grew, a larger church became necessary.
The project received generous support from the local administration. A collection raised Rs.153, while the then Collector, Rous Peter – popularly remembered in Madurai as Peter Pandian – contributed Rs.1,100, a substantial sum in those days. A new chapel was completed on the site in 1827.
The present-day Stone Church, however, owes its existence to the generosity of another remarkable benefactor. In 1869, Robert Fischer, a prominent resident of Madurai, offered Rs.1,000 towards improving or rebuilding the church, dedicated to the memory of his father George Frederick Fischer . It was eventually decided to demolish the old chapel and construct an entirely new building.
The foundation stone was laid on 2 June 1875 by Colonel J.F. Fisher, the District Engineer. The design was prepared by Robert Chisholm, the celebrated consulting architect to the Government of Madras, who was also responsible for several notable Indo-Saracenic buildings in the Madras Presidency.
The construction, including the furniture, cost approximately Rs.40,000. The entire expense was borne by Robert Fischer and his sister, Mrs. Jessie Foulkes, wife of a Madras chaplain. The church was finally consecrated on 15 June 1881
Built predominantly of black stone, the church acquired its enduring local name, Stone Church or Kal kovil . Its simple, solid architecture is a refreshing contrast to the elaborate ecclesiastical structures found elsewhere. Interestingly, the graves of Rous Peter and George Frederick Fisher are located in a chamber beneath the altar, connecting the building directly with two important personalities in its history.
As the congregation expanded over the decades, the original building became inadequate. An extension was undertaken in 1968 and completed in 1970, with the enlarged church consecrated on 20 December 1970. During this reconstruction, the altar was shifted from the eastern end to the western end. A community hall was subsequently added in 1994.
Today, surrounded by the bustle of old Madurai, the Stone Church quietly preserves a fascinating chapter of the city's history. Its story is not merely about a colonial-era place of worship, but also about the contributions of missionaries, generous benefactors, British administrators and the local Christian community.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect is that a church which began as a modest chapel in 1800 continues to stand as a living historical landmark, its very stones bearing witness to more than two centuries of Madurai's changing history.
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An interesting photo from 1910 captures the stone church at the background. But the "Dindugul road school and hostel " mentioned do not exist anymore. Dindugul road was remaned Nethaji road long ago but many oldtime locals still call it Dindigul road.
From the proximity and direction clue from the photo, probably this was the original structure where the YMCA building sits today? |
