St. Stephen’s Church: A Silent Testament to Ooty's Colonial History

Pragya Nagar

St. Stephen’s Church: A Silent Testament to Ooty's Colonial History

An unspoken relic of the colonial era of the tea plantation, St. Stephen’s Church, built in the early nineteenth century, is one of the oldest churches in Ooty. What makes this church one of the most enchanting relics of a bygone era?

The foundation stone | Source- Wikipedia Commons

One of the oldest churches to be constructed in the Nilgiris district, St. Stephen's Church is an Anglican church situated near the collector’s office in Ooty, Tamil Nadu. Once the summer capital of Madras Presidency in British India, the town flourished as a tea plantation. As more and more British officers were stationed here to oversee the plantation, the need for a church became apparent, and the foundation stone of the church was laid down by Stephen Rumbold Lushington, the then governor of Madras, in 1829. The church was blessed by John Matthias Turner, the Bishop of Calcutta, and was opened for the first public communion on the Easter Sunday of 1831.

Designed by John James Underwood, a captain in the Madras Regiment, in a typical Gothic style, the church uses elements prevalent at the time. However, contrary to the pale yellow exterior façade, the interior of the chapel uses extensive woodwork. It is believed that the timber used within the church was taken from the demolished summer palace of Tipu Sultan in Mysore. As recorded by J.J. Underwood, the total construction cost of the church was a mere INR 24,000.

Many marble and brass tablets in the church have been placed in memory of the British officers who died in Ooty. Most British officers of the period were buried in an old cemetery behind the chapel.

One of the unique features of the church is the church bell. Contrary to the usual bell placed within a tower, the church has a hammer-like structure tied with wire to inverted, V-shaped timber planks. When the wire is pulled from the floor, they make a beautiful musical sound.

Following independence, the church came under the Church of South India. Nestled in a valley, far from the madding crowd, St. Stephen’s Church stands as a silent yet magnificently beautiful testament to Ooty’s colonial history—it is a relic of a bygone era whose beauty and specificity continues to enchant the visitors.

The architecture itself is a marvel of exquisite detail and fine art. Three elaborate stained glass windows portraying the Last Supper, Christ's crucifixion, and Mother Mary cradling baby Jesus can be seen behind the altar. A magnificent painting of the Last Supper is displayed on the western wall above the panelled entrances.

The vestry is placed in the chancel's cellar, with the pulpit on the left side. Near the chancel is a remarkable baptismal font that was given to the church in 1855. The bishop's seat, with its elaborate marble foundation, is also from the 1800s. There are other panels in the church depicting various scenes from the Bible.