Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church
{{Short description|Christian denomination in south India}}
{{primary sources|date=May 2010}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2020}}
File:Bartholomäus Ziegenbalg monument in Tranquebar, Tamil Nadu, South India.jpg
The Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church is a Christian denomination in south India, which was established in 1919{{cite web |url=http://www.uelci.org/member-churches.asp |title=United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India – Member Churches |access-date=2009-04-22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090422023345/http://www.uelci.org/member-churches.asp |archive-date=22 April 2009 }} and has approximately 500,000 members.{{Cite web|url=http://www.lutheranworld.org/country/india|title=India | the Lutheran World Federation}} Its headquarters is in Trichy, Tamil Nadu. It is one of the prominent mainline Lutheran churches in Tamil Nadu.{{cite book | title=Rules of the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church | publisher=Nathan | year=1968 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eeMsPwAACAAJ | access-date=23 Mar 2023 | page=}}{{cite book | author=Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church | last2=Raj | first2=L.E. | last3=Ahlander | first3=J. | last4=Edmund | first4=T. | title=Self-reliance for Mission: The Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church (TELC) and Self-reliance : a Case Submitted to the Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Geneva, Switzerland | publisher=T.E.L.C. | year=1977 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=130eMwEACAAJ | access-date=23 Mar 2023 | page=}}{{cite book | title=Constitution of the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church, and the Documents Regulating Its Relations to the Cooperating Missions, the Church of Sweden Mission and the Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission | year=1928 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=h6gjMwEACAAJ | access-date=23 Mar 2023 | page=}}{{cite book | last1=Fahlbusch | first1=E. | last2=Lochman | first2=J.M. | last3=Bromiley | first3=G.W. | last4=Mbiti | first4=J.S. | last5=Pelikan | first5=J. | last6=Barrett | first6=D.B. | last7=Vischer | first7=L. | title=The Encyclopedia of Christianity | publisher=Brill | issue=v. 3 | year=1999 | isbn=978-0-8028-2415-8 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7ly4DgtT3LkC&pg=PA357 | access-date=23 Mar 2023 | page=357}}
On 14 January 1919, the Tamil congregation of different German, Danish, and Swedish Lutheran missions joined together to form the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church (TELC). In March 1921, the constitution of the TELC was amended to include the structure of episcopacy. In 1921, a Swedish missionary, Ernst Heuman, was ordained as the first bishop of the TELC. The bishop of TELC holds the title Bishop of Tranquebar. In 1956, R B Manickam became the first Indian to be ordained as the bishop of TELC.{{cite web|last1=Vethanayagamony|first1=Peter|title=The Lutheran Churches of India|url=http://www.lutheranforum.org/extras/the-lutheran-churches-of-india/|website=Lutheran Forum|access-date=26 August 2015|date=15 December 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120906075803/http://www.lutheranforum.org/extras/the-lutheran-churches-of-india/|archive-date=6 September 2012}}
The bishops have the title Bishop of Tranquebar.{{cite book|title=Presbyterian Life|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=B4bUAAAAMAAJ|access-date=2013-10-30|volume=12|year=1959|publisher=United Presbyterian Church in the United States of America|page=17}} It belongs to the Lutheran World Federation. The Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission and Church of Sweden Mission were active in the area of Trichy in the 19th century and are still active there today. This Lutheran church comes under United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India.{{cite web |url=http://www.the-uelci.org/member-churches.asp |title=United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India |access-date=2011-07-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110728091029/http://www.the-uelci.org/member-churches.asp |archive-date=28 July 2011 }}
Presidents of TELC and Bishops of Tranquebar
- 1921–1926: Ernst Heuman
- 1927–1934: David Bexe
- 1934–1956: Johannes Sandegren
- 1956–1967: Rajah Bushanam Manikam
- 1967–1972: Carl Gustav Diehl
- 1972–1975: A. John Satyanadhan
- 1975–1978: Lasarus Easter Raj
- 1978–1993: Jayseelan Jacob
- 1993–1999: Jubilee Gnanabaranam Johnson
- 1999–2009: Thaveedu Aruldoss
- 2009–2014: H. A. Martin
- 2014–2019: S. Edwin Jayakumar
- 2019–2023: D. Daniel Jayaraj
- 2023–present: A. Christian Samraj
Congregations
File:Tamil_Evangelical_lutheran_church_new_jerusalem_church.jpg]]
- TELC Ratchagar Church, Tiruvallur{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.co.in/maps/place/T.E.L.C+Ratchagar+Church/@13.119751,79.912491,2a,90y,90t/data=!3m5!1e2!3m3!1s-oveDdwzno_8%2FVMoBiGBcdDI%2FAAAAAAAAEzE%2Fmzhl2E4dNA4!2e4!3e12!4m6!1m3!3m2!1s0x3a52902ea0fb561f:0xa99f3b9f6f58ec4d!2sT.E.L.C+Ratchagar+Church!3m1!1s0x3a52902ea0fb561f:0xa99f3b9f6f58ec4d!6m1!1e1|title = Google Maps}} (த.சு.லு.தி இரட்சகர் ஆலயம், திருவள்ளூர்])
- TELC Good Shepherd Church, Kumaratchi Pastorate.
- TELC Immanuel church konerikuppam kanchipuram pastorate
- TELC Holy Trinity Cathedral, Tiruchirappalli
- TELC Holy Cross Church, kumbakonam.
- TELC Adhisayanathar Church, Erayamangalam
- TELC Adiaikalanathar Church, Chennai{{Cite web | url=http://www.adaikalanatharchurch.com | title=Welcome to Lutheran Adaikalanathar Church | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150801005254/http://adaikalanatharchurch.com/ | archive-date=2015-08-01}}
- TELC Christ Church, Tambaram – 45
- TELC Christ Church, Thiruverambur, Tirchy- 13
- TELC Christ Church, Thiruvotriyur, Chennai-600019
- TELC Arulnathar Church, Kilpauk, Chennai
- TELC Anbunathar Church, Annanagar, Chennai
- TELC Holy Redeemer's Church, Madurai
- TELC Holy Immanuel Church, Mayiladuthurai
- TELC New Jerusalem Church, Tranquebar (Tharangambadi)
- TELC New Jerusalem Church, Nadukottai, Thirumangalam, Madurai.
- TELC Salvation Church, Madurai
- TELC Good Shepherd Church, Puthur, Trichy
- TELC Zion Church, Trichy-8.
- TELC Saviour Church, Eachampatti, Trichy
- TELC Christ Church, Anaimalai.
- TELC World Saviour Church-Uluthukkupai, Mailaduthurai
- TELC Abathu Sagayar Church, Kavalamedu. Manalmedu Pastorate.( த.சு.லு.தி. ஆபத்து சகாயர் ஆலயம் – காவாளமேடு )
- TELC Pavanasar Lutheran Church – Bangalore.
- TELC Ziegenbalg Jubilee Church – Sirkali
- TELC Pavasar Lutheran Church – Chidambaram
- TELC St.Paul's Church, Sengaraiyur
- TELC Arulnathar Church, Tirukattupalli
- TELC World Saviour Church, Pollachi
- TELC Bethlehem Church, (TBML College) Porayar
- TELC Arulnathar Church, Tirukattupalli
- TELC Saint John Church, Tiruchirappalli{{Cite web |url=http://www.telcjohnschurch.com/ |title=TELC St. John's Church – Home |access-date=8 September 2014 |archive-date=8 September 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140908140104/http://www.telcjohnschurch.com/ |url-status=dead }}
- TELC Arockianathar Church, Thirupputhur, Sivagangai Dist
- த.சு.லு.தி கதிராலயம், பாண்டுர்
- TELC Holy Cross Church, Chengalpattu
- TELC Holy Comforter Church, Thanjavur
- TELC Ebineaser Church, Villupuram
- TELC Arulnathar Church, Kinathukadavu (த.சு.லு.தி. அருள்நாதர் ஆலயம், கிணத்துக்கடவு)
- TELC Karunainathar Church Kinathukadavu (த.சு.லு.தி. கருணைநாதர் ஆலயம், கிணத்துக்கடவு)
- TELC Bethel Church, Perambur, Chennai-11
- TELC Arulnathar Church, Tirupur-641601
- TELC Abishegha Nathar Church, Annamangalam, Perambalur-district.
- TELC Bethlehem Church Ambattur Chennai 600 053
- TELC Jesus Our Redeemer Church, Thirumangalam, Madurai.
- TELC Calvary Nathar Church, J.Alangulam, Thirumangalam, Madurai.
- TELC Good Shepherd church, Singanallur, Coimbatore – 641005.
- TELC St.John's Church, perambalur.# TELC St.Paul's Church, Pattavarthy. Manalmedu Pastorate.
- TELC Bethlehem Church, Sevvapet, Thiruvallur-602025
- TELC Christ King church, Kalpakkam – 603102
- TELC Arul Nathar Church, Sadras – 603102
- TELC THIRIYEGA NATHAR CHURCH, KOTTAIKARANPATTI, PUDUKKOTTAI (DT)-622515
- TELC ZION JUBLEE CHURCH, PUDUKKOTTAI.
- TELC RATCHANYA NATHAR CHURCH, SAMALAPURAM-641663.
- TELC JUBILEE CHURCH, PAMBARPURAM, KODAIKANAL-624103.
- TELC Union Christ Christ, NGGO Colony, Coimbatore
- TELC Christ Christ, Coimbatore
- TELC Arputhanather Church, B P Agraharam.
- TELC Nalmeipper Church, Kurumanoorkadu.
- TELC Jesus the world Redeemer Church, Kallikuppam
- TELC Ebinezar church, Karaikal
- TELC St.Peter's Jubilee Church, Melakottucherry, Karaikal
- TELC Bethel Church, V.NALLALAM 605651
- TELC MARTIN CHURCH , KAIVANDUR PASTORATE, THIRUVALLUR
- TELC ARULNATHAR ALAYAM, PATTANAM PUDUR, COIMBATORE - 641016
Colleges and schools
- TBML College, Porayar{{Cite web|url=http://tbmlcollege.ac.in/|title=TBML College, Porayar|website=tbmlcollege.ac.in}}
- TELC Teacher Training Institute (Male), Tranquebar
- TELC Bishop Johnson Memorial Higher Secondary School, Tranquebar
- TELC High School, Sengaraiyur
- TELC Primary School, Nathamangudi, Lalgudi Taluk
- TELC Bishop Hymen Memorial High School, Tiruchirappalli
- TELC Primary School, Tiruchirappalli
- TELC Teacher Training Institute (Female), Usilampatti
- TELC ELM Hr Sec School, Chennai
- TELC Lutheran Mission Central Higher Secondary School, Sirkali
- TELC Kabis Hr Sec School, Pandur
- TELC Girls Christian Higher Secondary School, Thanjavur
- TELC Middle School, Thanjavur
- TELC SR Bergendal Girls HR Secondary School, Kinathukadavu
- TELC Primary School, Kinathukadavu
- TELC Middle School, Karunakarapuri, Kinathukadavu
- TELC Primary School, Alampatti, Thirumangalam, Madurai.
- TELC Primary School, Kurayoor.
- TECL Primary School, Tirupur
- TELC Higher secondary school, Pudukkottai. In pudukkottai itself two schools are operating
- TELC Middle School, Pudukkottai.
- TELC TSM Primary School, Sirkali
- TELC PRIMARY SCHOOL, KOTTAIKARANPATTI, PUDUKKOTTAI (DT).
- TELC Primary School, Kavalamedu ( Manalmedu ) Mayiladuthurai- DT
- TELC middle school , periyakuppam , Thiruvallur
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20090605112647/http://www.uelci.org/index.asp Website of the United Evangelical Lutheran Church in India]
- [http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198073857.001.0001/acref-9780198073857-e-0963 Johnson Gnanabaranam: "Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church" in: "The Oxford Encyclopaedia of South Asian Christianity".]
{{Churches in India}}
{{Lutheran World Federation Churches}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Christianity in Tamil Nadu
Category:Christian organizations established in 1919
Category:1919 establishments in British India
Category:Lutheran World Federation members
Category:Evangelical denominations in Asia
Category:Affiliated institutions of the National Council of Churches in India