Medak Church (Andhra pradesh)

image credit : shajeethomas_kaudiar

Once the centre of a flourishing Buddhist culture, Medak is richly endowed with archaeological treasures. The magnificent Catholic Church at the place is said to be one of the three big churches in South India. It’s foundation was laid in 1914 and it is was completed in 1924. On special occasions such as Easter, Christmas and New Year, this church attracts large crowds.

The Exquisite Architectural Splendour is that it Built with solid white granite, the lofty structure with its sylvan ambience is profoundly aesthetic, luring the faithful from far and wide. The main prayer hall of the church is 91m long and 45.5m wide.

The church has an impressive style of vaulting and large windows on either sides of the hall and the windows at the entrance are provided with pieces of coloured glass fitted in metal frames. The coloured glass pieces are beautifully arranged to depict scenes from the bible and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. They serve as a picture book of the Bible to those who cannot read. The colour spectrum produced by these windows inside, by the early and late afternoon sun is marvellous.

The Cathedral is 61m high and accommodates 5,000 people at a time. The tower over the entrance is 53m high. The British artist, Sir O. Salisbury took 40 years creating this work of art at his studio in London.

The Legend has it that this church was born out of a famine that struck Medak during World War I. Mr. Charles Walker Posnett, a dedicated English missionary from England, was posted as the Reverend of Medak, which was reeling under an unprecedented famine that continued for as long as three years.

Hundreds of families approached the Reverend for food and blessings. Their pathetic condition moved him and he provided them with enough food. As an act of thanks giving to God who helped him provide food for the starving people of Medak, he proposed building a church. The grateful inhabitants of Medak instantly accepted the proposal. Thus with the labour of love from those simple peasants, the church rose. Started in the year 1914, it took ten years to complete it. It was consecrated in 1924 during Christmas.

With its immensity and beauty, this century old church stands out as one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in India.