Sunday, August 19, 2007

Church of South India - Luxettipet Pastorate

Church of South India - Diocese of Medak
Luxttipet Pastorate
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ప్రియమైన దేవుని సంఘమా ప్రభువైన యేసు క్రీస్తు పరిశుద్ద నామమున మీకందరికీ లక్షెట్టిపేట మహాదేవలయపు సంఘ పక్షముగా శుభములు తెలియజేయుచున్నాము. దేవుడు మిమ్ములను, మీయొక్క పరిచర్యను ఆశీర్వదించి కాపాడును గాక!!!

రెవ
Rev. B. Karunakar Rao, B.D.
 
Presbyter-in-Charge, Luxettipet Pastorate


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Overview of Medak Diocese
The Church of South India, Medak Diocese is an esteemed organization, making lives better through Education, Healthcare, and Service for more than a century. The Diocese is one of the prominent Dioceses in the Church of South India comprising more than 1100 congregations in 105 pastorates and spread over five revenue districts of Telangana State viz. e.w. civil districts., Adilabad, Medak, Nizamabad, Rangareddy, Hyderabad and Mahabubnagar.

The eighth bishop/moderator commissary in Medak Diocese: The Most Rt.Rev.Kodirekka Padmarao thandri garu

About Luxettipet Church
Luxettipet pastorate has a heritage Church affiliated with the Church of South India (C.S.I), Medak Diocese. Built-in classic architecture, by a member of the British royal family, adorns itself a great history. The Church now serves more than 400 families. 

Church has the highest tower. The length and width of the Church are approx. 95ft and 70ft. The 18 monolithic pillars used for the construction of the Church were brought from Gudem Gutta & Guvvala Gutta near Luxettipet and the sculptors were brought from Maharashtra to construct the Church. The main entrance of the Church faced towards the South direction, the lower and upper windows covered with beautiful color-coated glass windows for brighter lighting in the daytime even in the absence of electricity. The dome at the altar and pulpit was designed well to preach conveniently. The roof of the Church was insulated with composition board material to avoid sound distortions.
The Church has a wider seating space with natural lighting and ventilation. Church premises are fully surrounded by teak plantations and a beautiful garden which brings a pleasant atmosphere.

The pastor's residence (Parsonage) is another heritage structure in Luxettipet. It admires the people who visit the Parsonage of its front elevated view and its beautiful duplex-style architecture. The Parsonage was built with Lime Cement (Dangu Sunnam) which protects residents from various climatic conditions.

Hill Top Sunrise Service (Easter Worship): Luxettipet Church has a historical place of worship to celebrate Easter Sunday as the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection. "Silva Gutta (సిలువ గుట్ట)" is at a distance of 500 meters from the Church compound area. On Easter Sunday, Women fellowship worship and lit candles near the Cross at the Church premises, all congregation moves and steps up the hill to worship and take part in the Easter Sunrise service. (5-7 AM)

An hourly scripture reading clock is reminding the word of God at an hourly interval preceded by Church Bells.


SJ Prashanth Kumar
Church front view  (South Direction)
                                                                -Photo by Mr. SJ Prashanth Kumar - (Jan 2014)
History: CSI Church - Luxettipet is a heritage Church known as Second largest Churches in Telangana State. In the year 1920 Rev. C.G. Early [Pioneer] came to Luxettipet as Missionary to help the poor and to serve the Gospel. He served in this area for about 17 years, i,e, during the years 1920-29, 1935-38, and 1951-53. A period from 1930-32, Rev. E.W. Launt gave ecumenical services for 3 years. Rev.E.W. Launt pioneered and dedicated the Church in the year 1932 and had gone back to England as he suffered from Sunstroke.   Subsequently, in 1935, Rev. H. Bird completed the rest of the work and re-dedicated the Church by Rev.C.W. Posnett.
  
Education & Medical Ministry: Besides the Christian pastoral ministry, Missionaries established a Hospital during the years 1930-35 with inpatient and outpatient health facilities and diagnostic infrastructure with dedicated medical staff. The medical dispensary services were provided by Dr. Israel and Dr. David Francis in 1928. Many of the surrounding villagers utilized the health services from the CSI Mission Hospital. Alongside, during the years 1918-19, they also established a school from kindergarten to high school and a residential complex established in the year 1929 (Hostel) to accommodate more than 300 students for both girls and boys separately. In the year 2022, the Church established an English medium school, and the Telugu medium school and hostels were renovated and rededicated. This truly helped the most disadvantaged groups in the surrounding villages. Even today the hostel and schools are running on the premises. later, the hospital services were discontinued.

Eco-friendly environment: The Church Compound area (approx. 69 acres of land) is surrounded by lots of teak plants, the mammoth Banyan tree (more than 100 years old), many age-old neem trees, and many other plant species. The greenery flourishes as a habitat for many birds and small creatures. The greenery in the Church premises provides pleasant weather for the walkers and visitors.

It flourishes as a habitat for many birds
Missionaries Served in Luxettipet
Rev.C.G. Early (Pioneer) - 1920-29, 1935-38, 1951-53
Rev.E.W. Launt, 1930-32
Rev.H.Bird, 1933-35
Rev.J.B.Garforth, 1940-41
Rev.H.W.Stafford, 1942-46
Rev.E.W.Gallagher, 1946-50

"God Bless You All"

Reaching Luxettipet...
Follow BT Road which leads you to Mission Compound from the Bus Station of Luxettipet town,
Luxettipet Church is situated 1 km from Luxettipet town which is at a distance of 23 km from Mancherial district headquarters and 65 Km from Karimnagar district headquarters. Luxettipet is well connected by road (National Highway-63) and there are frequent buses from Karimnagar and Mancherial. Trains available from Mancherial town

Pastorate Congregations:
Since 2022, the Luxettipet Pastorate became an independent Pastorate and is not fully connected with neighboring rural congregations. 

Hierarchical relationship: CHURCH OF SOUTH INDIA - LUXETTIPET PASTORATE - MEDAK DIOCESE

Moderator Commissary - Medak Diocese: The Most Rt.Rev.Kodirekka Padmarao thandri garu
GDCC Chairman in Charge Rev. Velpula. Samuel, B.D., M.Min
Presbyter-in-Charge Rev. Banda. Karunakar Rao, M.Sc,I.S., & B.D
Asst Clergy (Luxettipet).- Mr. J. Swamy, B.D, (Ordained)


SUNDAY HOLY WORSHIP: 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM
WEDNESDAY HOLY WORSHIP: 6:30 AM - 07:30 AM

OTHER DAYS:
WOMEN'S FELLOWSHIP MEETING: FRIDAY @ 5:00 PM
YOUTH FELLOWSHIP MEETING: SATURDAY @ 6:00 PM
Daily Cottage Prayer Meetings: Monday to Saturday @ 5:30 PM
Choir Practice @ 6:00 PM every Saturday at Church Premises.

Services & Events
Telugu service every Sunday [Holy Communion. 1st & 3rd Sun] - 9:30 A.M
Sunday School Every Sunday - 9:00 A.M
Fasting prayer [Every Friday] - F-11:00 A.M to 3:00 P.M
40 days Lenten and cottage prayer meetings - 7:00 P.M
Holy Week Service at Church - 6:30 P.M
Good Friday Service - 11:00 A.M
Easter Hilltop Sunrise Service - 4:00 A.M
Christmas Carols - 19-23rd Dec - 7:30 PM till 12:00 AM.
Christmas Eve - 23rd Dec - 6:30 P.M
Christmas Worship - 25th December [Service & Holy Comm]– 9:30 A.M
Watch Night Service - 31st December [Holy Communion] - 10:00 P.M
New Year Worship - 1st January - 9:30 A.M

Flag Hoisting Festivals - Republic Day (26th Jan) and Independence Day (15th Aug), followed by a Sports meet organized by Youth Fellowship.

THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST  - REGIONAL JATHARA CELEBRATIONS on APRIL 25, 26 of Every Year at Church Premises
(Due to the Covid-19 pandemic the Jathara Celebrations did not take place during the years 2020 & 2021)

The Clergy served during the past few years

- Rev. B. Karunakar Rao, B.D., Presbyter-in-Charge (Sep'20 - to date)

- Rev. V. Samuel, B.D, M.Min, Presbyter-in-charge (2015-SEP-2020)
- Rev. G. Prem Kumar, B.D., Presbyter-In-Charge (2010-2015)
- Rev. S. Andrews Prem Sukumar, B.D., Presbyter-In-Charge (2008-2010)
- Rev. G. Prem Kumar, B.D., Presbyter-In-Charge (2006-2008)
- Late Rev. A. Benett Raj, B.D., Presbyter-In-Charge (2003-2006)
- Rev. Suryaprakash, B.Th., Presbyter-In-Charge (2001-2003)
- Rev. B. Winston, B.D., Presbyter-In-Charge (1997-2001)
- Rev. M. Wilson, B.D., Presbyter-In-Charge (1995-1996)
- Rev. S. Varadas, B.D., Presbyter-In-Charge (1994-1995)
- Late Rev. D.I. Prabudas, Presbyter-In-Charge (1993-94)
- Late Rev. M. Anandam, M.Th, Presbyter-In-Charge (1982-93)
- Rev.D.D.Jayaraj, Presbyter-In-Charge (1980-1981)
- Rev. M.P. Srinivas Rao, B.D., Presbyter-In-Charge (1978-1980)
- Rev.T.B. Prabhakar, B.D., Presbyter-In-Charge (1976-1977)
- Rev.D.I. Prabhudas, M.Th, Presbyter-In-Charge (1976-1976)
- Rev. A. Samuel, Presbyter-In-Charge (1968-1971)
- Rev. T. Ashirvadam, Presbyter-in-Charge (1962-1967)
- Rev. K.L. Jeevarathnam (Presbyter Assistant) (1962-1967)
- Rev. B. Eliezer, Presbyter-in-Charge (1957-1961)
- Rev. B.G. Prasada Rao, Presbyter-in-Charge (1954-1956 )
- Mettu Luke, Evangelist (1925-1943)
- Mamidi Paul, Evangelist (1925-38)



Disclaimer: The information was compiled from various sources (Church senior leaders, old age persons, print media articles, Church stone plaque, and Church's souvenir releases). If you find the information provided in the blog is incorrect and any further modifications are required, kindly write back to the blog author. This information has been provided for the remembrance of the services rendered by the Missionaries, clergy, and laity leaders