History of the Formation of the Church of South India (CSI)

September 27, 1947: The Formation of the Church of South India

The Church of South India (CSI) was officially formed on September 27, 1947, as a union of multiple Christian denominations in South India. This landmark event marked the coming together of the Anglican, Presbyterian, Congregationalist, and Methodist churches into one unified body. The idea of such a union was first proposed at the historic Tranquebar Conference in 1919, which brought together church leaders who envisioned a united Christian church in India.

Over the course of 28 years, extensive discussions took place among the various denominational churches, all of which had been established by different missionary societies across the region. Finally, in 1947, just after India gained independence, the representatives of these churches agreed to unite and form the Church of South India.

The inaugural ceremony of the newly-formed Church was held at St. George’s Cathedral, Madras (now Chennai). The service was presided over by the Rt. Revd. C. K. Jacob, the bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Travancore and Cochin, with a large congregation in attendance, including people from all over the world. The event was a momentous occasion in the history of Indian Christianity.

A Historic Declaration

During the inaugural service, Bishop C. K. Jacob made the following historical declaration:

"Dearly beloved brethren, in obedience to the Lord Jesus Christ, the head of the Church, who on the night of his passion prayed that his disciples might be one, and by the authority of the governing bodies of the uniting churches whose resolutions have been read in your hearing and laid in your prayer before Almighty God; I do hereby declare that these three churches, namely – the Madras, Madura, Malabar, Jaffna, Kannada, Telugu, Travancore Church councils of the South India United Church; the Methodist Church of South India, Trichinopoly, Hyderabad and Mysore districts; the Madras, Travancore and Cochin, Tinnevelly and Dornakal dioceses of the Churches of India, Burma and Ceylon; are become one Church of South India, and these bishops, presbyters, deacons, and probationers who have assented to the basis of union and accepted the constitution of the Church of South India, whose names are laid upon this holy table, are bishops, presbyters, and deacons of this Church. In the name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, Amen."

This historic declaration formally established the CSI as a unified church, acknowledging the diversity of its origins while celebrating its newfound unity.

CSI Today

Today, the Church of South India is one of the largest Protestant denominations in India. It is a member of the Anglican Communion, and its bishops participate in the Lambeth Conferences, a significant gathering of Anglican bishops from around the world. CSI is also an active member of global Christian bodies, such as the World Council of Churches, the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and the National Council of Churches in India.

The Formation of the Communion of Churches in India (CCI)

In 1978, the Church of South India (CSI), the Church of North India (CNI), and the Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church of India formed the Communion of Churches in India (CCI). This ecumenical initiative was established to foster mutual recognition of ministry and leadership, encourage inter-communal relationships, and explore possibilities for working together in fulfilling the mission of the Church in India.

Legacy and Impact

The formation of the Church of South India in 1947 was not just a religious union; it was a bold step toward unity and cooperation in a newly-independent India. The CSI has played a significant role in promoting Christian values and serving the spiritual needs of communities across South India. Its rich history of unity and ecumenism continues to inspire the church today as it carries out its mission in the modern world.