The First Indian Bishop of the CSI Diocese of Madras Rt. Rev .Dr. David Chellappa. Part Final

Introduction ; Dr. David Chellappa was blessed and endowed with extraordinary intellectual stamina , fanatical honesty , impeccable integrity,  natural literary flair, sharp grasping power and great faith in God .  Whatever happened to Dr. David Chellappa  to do, he did with all his might and full mind , and these policies and qualities  of  his life took Dr David Chellappa to great and unique heights in life. He was the first in many fronts .Dr. David Chellappa was the first Indian Principal of St Paul's High School , Vepery, Madras ; he was first Indian Pastor of the historical St Thomas English Church at San Thome, Madras ;  and he was the first Indian Bishop of the C.S.I Diocese of Madras..  The C.S.I Madras Diocese is  thankfully celebrating the Tri-Centenary Celebration of St Paul's High School [  Now it is called ,St Paul's Higher Secondary School, Vepery , Madas ], in this inspiring and emotional back-ground I am really glad and privileged to write some Articles on Rt. Rev Dr David Chellappa .

Rev.David Chellappa  was elected and consecrated as the First Indian Bishop of the C.S.I Diocese of Madras in 1955: .Rt. Rev.Dr.J.W.Gladstone writes ,"The fulfilment of the negotiations started at Tranquebar in 1919 was on 27th September 1947 when the Church of South India was inaugurated at Madras.[United to Unite , p. 26] Prof.S. Manickam writes ," The Church Union Movement in South India which eventually resulted in the birth of the Church of South India on 27th September , 1947 is one of the greatest miracles ever performed by God in the first half of the present century[ Ibid, p.7].The Church of South India was duly inaugurated  by the presiding Bishop Rt. Rev. C.K.Jacob  on Saturday , 27th September 1947. at the magnificent St. George Cathedral Madras .Rt. Rev Arthur Michael Hollis was functioning as the the Bishop of Madras  when CSI was  formed and inaugurated ; so he was commissioned to continue in the same post as  Bishop of  the newly formed CSI  Madras Diocese .Bishop Hollis was one of the pioneers of the Church Union in South India  and  he was elected as the first Moderator of the  newly formed Church of South India [CSI ]As there arose a vacancy for the post of Bishop in Madras CSI Diocese , Rev Dadid Chellappa contested in the Bishop Election and won. So  Rev. David Chellappa was consecrated as the first Indian  Bishop of the CSI Diocese of Madras on 25th January, 1955 on St. Paul's Day... Bishop David Chellappa  was a towering personality, efficient administrator, convincing speaker both in English and Tamil in short he commanded respect  from all the sections both from Christians and Non Christians.  Rt Rev Dr. David Chellappa arranged a Crusade in Madras during the historical visit of Rev. Dr. Billy Graham , in 1956

                                         
           Rt. Rev. Dr. David Chellappa [R] is with Rev Dr.Billy Graham,  1956 Crusade  Madras
                                        [Photo Courtesy Dr.Paul Chellappa,   US ].
Rt .Rev Dr David Chellappa served as Interim Bishop of Trichy -Tanjore CSI Diocese[1962-1964:
In addition, on the request from the  then C.S.I Moderator Rev. A. H. Legg, Rt.Rev. Dr. David Chellappa acted as Interim Bishop of Tricy Tanjore CSI Diocese, in an able and enviable manner from 1962 till  7th February,1964. In this context it will be useful and appropriate to recollect a fact that in 1933 Mr. David Chellpa was ordained by Rt Rev E.H. Waller and was sent to Trichy district to serve two village congregations at Mattupatti and Irangalur, but after nearly three decades Rt. Rev Dr. David Chellappa  had the privilege to act as the Interim Bishop of Trichy- Tanjore CSI Diocese for two years.  Bishop Chellappa was over burned with his official responsibility and work load and  was physically affected  so unfortunately Rt . Rev. Dr. David Chellappa died on the 25 th Agust , 1964 in Madras.


                                               
 [This is a memorial tablet for the first Indian Bishop of Madras Diocese[CSI], the Rt.Rev. David Chellappa  erected  inside the St. George's Cathedral, Madras by the congregation of St. George's cathedral, Madras ][ Photo Courtesy Dr. Paul Chellappa, US]

Rt. Rev. Dr. David  Chellappa , was a great thinker, writer and reader of books:  Rt  Rev. Dr. David
Chellappa  was having a natural flair for literature  and religion.. He loved books,so he used to buy  books on Religion and Literature,  generally from CLS, Madras, every month regularly. He was having hundreds of valuable books  on many subjects specially on Religion, Philosophy and English literature .He was having a splendid  personal Home Library in his house ; but now his Son Dr Paul Chellappa laments  that nobody knows from the family about the fate of those valuable books after the demise of his father Dr. David Chellppa.  Bishop. Dr. David Chellappa was a prolific writer, voracious reader  and literary critic, he had written many Book Reviews on Religious books in the Madras Mail and also had written many inspiring, sharp and thought provoking  book reviews in English in the Hindu, on many secular English books. His English accent was very impressive and impeccable and his Queen's English accent was well appreciated by His English and Indian friends.

Rt Rev Bishop. David Chellappa was conferred Doctor of Divinity Degree[Honoris Causa] by an American University  in 1957 : Rt Rev . David Chellappa was invited by Reformed Churches of U.S.A in 1957 as a Guest of Honor. During Rt Rev David Chellappa's stay  in US, the famous Hope College , Holland , Michigan  State , USA, conferred an honorary Doctor of Divinity[ D.D] degree on Rt Rev. Bishop David Chellappa.

Conclusion : .It is not easy to write an evaluation about Rt Rev Dr, David Chellppa, M.A, D.D, in some lines . I can say he was a rare and remarkable personality . He was  a man of integrity, a man of God, a lover of books and a student of  English literature , he was an eloquent speaker and preacher, an intellectual , rubbed his shoulders with the tall personalities of his time including former chief Minister of Madras state Mr K kamaraj . Rev Bishop Dr. David Chellappa  was a patriot,   a great supporter of ecumenical movement among  christian denominations, he was compassionate and efficient teacher, he loved his wife and children , he was a man of principles, he loved Tamil language also, he was very handsome  with  beautiful mind  and so on .Unfortunately he died at an young age of 59  in 1964. I can say really Rt. Rev David Chellappa was born great and achieved greatness. and he was a remarkable person  In his death the Indian Christianity specially the Church of South India had lost one of the tallest leaders of the Church and the state of Tamil Nadu had lost one of its  intellectuals and the World a good human-being..
By . P. Babu Manoharan ,M.A, [ Rights reserved .This Article will be enlarged, altered , and  corrected if needed later.]






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The First Indian Bishop of the C.S.I. Diocese of Madras, Rt.Rev.Dr. David Chellappa. Part. C.

Introduction:  Generally the Time determines the role  and  destiny of individuals and at times some  rare and remarkable personalities design and decide an impact on the direction, role, and chapters of time,  and Rt. Rev Dr David Chellappa belonged to the second category of rare personalities.   The Great Shakespeare said," some are born  great  and some achieve greatness", but in the case of Rev Dr. David Chellappa he was not only  born great and also achieved greatness ; yet he was reasonably modest that was his unique greatness.  In this Article,   I will the deal with Rev. Dr. David Chellappa's ancestors and their  historical link with the famous Danish Missionary  Rev Schwartz and King Sarafoji II . And also I will deal with Bishop David Chellappa's remarkable role as the first Indian  Principal of St Paul's  High School , Vepery,Madras and as the  first  Indian Pastor of St Thomas English Church, Madras .
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Rt.Rev Dr David Chellappa's Ancestors and Sarafoji Raja II : Rt Rev.Dr. David Chellappa's mother Ms.Elizabeth Daniel Chellappa hailed from one of the illustrious and distinguished families of Tanjore and South India . .Mrs Elizabeth Daniel Chellappa  was a daughter of Munsif A. David Pillay, who served as the Legal Adviser to King Sarafoji Maharaja of Tanjore.  Munsiff David was a great grandson of Mr.Malayperuman of Tanjore  who was led to Christ by the great and devoted Danish  Missionary Rev Schwarts.. Munsif.David's daughter Ms. Elizabeth married Mr. Justice Daniel Chellappa.. And Mrs. Elizabeth David Chellappa christened  her first born son as David in remembrance of her father Munsif David. Munsif David grew up  with Sarafoji  Maharaja  in Tanjore   and later became Sarafoji Maha Raja's legal adviser.



                         [ Photo Courtesy Dr. Paul Chellappa, U.S.A  ]                                                                                                          

Dr.David Chellappa was the first Indian Principal of the St. Paul's High School Vepery,Madras:On his arrival from England in 1937  Dr David Chellappa was :appointed as  Principal of St. Paul's High School, Vepery, Madras : Dr. David Chellappa was the first Indian  Principal of the prestigious St. Paul's High School Vepery Madras, untill then only Oxford educated Europeans were working as Principals of St Paul's High School.Vepery, Madras. . No doubt it was a great honor for anybody to become a Principal of St Paul's High School, Vepery. In this context  it is pertinent  and useful to trace the concise history of  St Pauls High School.  St Pauls High School Vepery , Madras  was established as Malabar Charity School by the famous Danish Missionary Rev J.E. Grundler for the poor Tamil Children in Vepery,Madras in 1716., and this school later was called as Vepery English Grammar School . In this context to  it pertinent to mention  here that the great iconic English Commander Robert Clive lived in this School Compound  during his marriage. .The name of the School took many births and in 1912 this School was named as St. Paul's High School.. In 1978  this School was upgraded as Higher Secondary School and now this School is called, St Paul's Higher Secondary School. Dr. David Chellappa served as the Head Master of this historical School as its First Indian Head-Master for nearly twenty year from 1937 till he was elected and consecrated as the first Indian Bishop of the CSI Diocese of Madras in 1955.  Rev.Dr David was a convincing and efficacious teacher, and he loved all the students without any discrimination and   wisely and diplomatically enforced discipline among the students very effectively and took the fame and name of the School to great heights, And St Paul's High School became very famous and well sought after school in Madras under his  fabulous administration.

                                                  
         [ Rev. David Chellapa with Dr.AJBoy,  Principal , Madras Christian College, Tambaram],
[ St. Paul's Principal's House, Vepery., Madras, 1945, This Photo  was given by Dr Paul Chellappa, }

David was the first Indian Pastor of the famous St  Thomas English Church, San Thome, Madras: when Dr Chellappa was appointed as the Head-Master of St Paul's High School  in 1937, simultaneously  he was ordained as  Priest In-Charge of the historical St. Thomas English Church, Santhome, Madras .All of his predecessors were English men and Dr .David Chellappa was the first Indian clergy who was given the privilege to serve as Pastor of this prestigious St. Thomas English Church, Madras . As Dr David Chellappa was a good student of English Literature he was having a fluent  and fertile command over the English language, his sermons in English  were well appreciated  with awesome attention both by the Europeans and the Indians
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Rev. Dr.  David Chellappa was a prolific writer, great journalist and editor of journals: Because of his splendid and spectacular fluent command over English language, he was  made by the Bishop of Madras Diocese as Editor of the Madras Diocesan Magazine in 1946 . Rev David Chellappa also served as Editor of the famous magazine South India Churchman . Moreover Rev. Dr. David Chellappa had penned some thought provoking books in English namely ;[1] A  Tree On a Hill [Tamil], [2] Seven Words' [3] Against 7 Sins,  and  [4] Saints Speak ; in a lovely. lucid, literary language..

Conclusion :  Thus as a Head-Master  , Editor, Writer , Preacher , Pastor Dr. David Chelappa  had made lasting  and distinctive imprints in  the history of his time.  The Final Part  of this Article will succeed this article soon, and in the final Part I will deal with his  role as the first Indian Bishop of the CSI Diocese of Madras and a precise  evaluation  and review about his  remarkable life and accomplishments
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By. P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A, [Rights reserved. This Article will be altered , enlarged , corrected later, if needed ].

The First Indian Bishop of the CSI Diocese of Madras; Rt. Rev. Dr. David Chellappa. Part B.

Introduction :  Of course , Nation Building starts from home building and child rearing ; irrespective one's position everyone is bound to give good education, character, good motivation and guidance to their children I will definitely say that  to know  and judge a person correctly we should analyse  his friends and children So before dealing with the Rev. Dr David Chellapa's  fabulous manifold accomplishment as a head of his family, church leader, head-master, editor of journals, writer, preacher, friend , reader, church builder. pastor , bishop etc,  it is better and inevitable to deal with the profiles of his  lovely children and their family members.

                                         

                                                   

                                                     [ Rt. Rev. Dr. David Chellappa ]
.                                             [Photo Courtesy. Dr. Paul Chellapa. USA]

Rt. Rev.  Dr. David Chellappa's children : Rev. Dr David Chellappa and Mrs Rachel Gnanamani David Chellappa were blessed with a smart and  responsible son and four  loving daughters  namely :[1] Dr. Paul Chellappa, M.D, [Son], [2] Mrs Elizabeth Jeyaraj, [3]   Mrs Vasantha kumari Miriam Daniel Purushothaman, [4]Mrs. Monica Souri and [5]     Mrs. Ann Mangaiarkarasi Philip.     As I have noted  above before proceeding  further it would  be definitely useful to deal with  the profiles of his blessed children precisely in the following paragraphs. 

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[1] Dr. Paul Chellappa:: Dr. Paul Chellappa was  the first born son of Rev Dr David Chellapa and  Mrs Rachel Gnanamani David Chellappa . Dr Paul Chellapa did his M.B.B.S degree course at the  prestigious Christian Medical College, Vellore and passed his final  Final Year M.B.B.S in 1964 [Dr. MGR. Medical University, Tamil Nadu India]  and moved to US with a mission and vision and now he is practicing as a Psychiatrist in New York and he is a certified Medical Doctor in Psychiatry by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology .Dr Paul Chellappa's  modest and  lovely wife Mrs.Malini Chellappa  hails from one of the well known and illustrious families of South India .Mrs.Malini Paul Chellapa's father   Albert Jesudasan is one of the brothers of Mrs. Tara P.V.Cherian [  Dr. P.V. Cherian, was a former Governor of Maharashtra, India ].Dr. Paul Chellappa and Mrs Malini Paul  Chellapa  couple is blessed with one daughter and one son namely:[1] Ms.Revathy Sura and [2]  Mr.Mahim Albert [ Mr. Mahim Albert was working in Wall Street for nearly 8  year now his running his own Leverage Company, in US. Mr. Mahim and his wife Mrs.Sitha Mahim,MBA, are blessed with a lovely son by name Devan.

[2] Mrs. Elzabeth Jeyaraj, B,Sc: Rt. Rev. Dr .David Chellppa and Mrs. Rachel  Gnanamani Chellappa couple's daughter Ms Elizabeth married Mr P.A. Jeyaraj and this couple  is blessed  with 2 smart sons and 1 lovely daughter namely ;[1] Dr. David , [2] Er. Sumanth, and [3] Ms.Pauline and Ms. Pauline is working as a Psychologist in Canada. Mr A.P. Jeyaraj after having a long service in the State bank Of India India,  retired as a  Deputy General Manager of State Bank of India 

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[3]Mrs.Vasathakumari Miriam Daniel Purushothamn : Rt. Rev Dr. David Chellappa and Mrs. Rachel Gnanamani David Chellapa couple's daughter Ms. Vasanthakumari Miriam married Dr. Daniel Purushothaman  Dr. Daniel  Purushothaman is a Ph.D, Scholar in Psychology and  is working as a Professor  at the Connecticut University, USA. and this couple is blessed with the following children namely: [1] Mr . Vimal ,MBA, [2] Ms.Nirupa  and she is a Pediatric Nurse  and [3].Mr Jeyanth, MBA and he is working in Wall Street, New York, US.

[4] Mrs. Monica Souri  : Unfortunately Mrs Monica Souri is not alive today. Bishop David Chellappa and Mrs. Rachel Gnanamani David Chellappa couple's daughter Ms. Monica  married Dr Souri . Dr Sorui was a classmate of  Monica's brother Dr Paul Chellappa in Christian Medical College Vellore, India  and Dr. Souri, M.D, is working as a Cardiologist and now is working in Ohio, USA. Mrs Monicka Souri and Dr, Souri couple is blessed with a daughter and son namely: [1] Ms. Rushmi [Social worker ], [2]Mr. Renjith, MBA in Accountancy and he is a Writer , Actor, Creative Thinker and currently is teaching in the famous Chicago Second City School . Renjith  had also worked with  Mr Jimmy Carter a former President of USA, as Accountant in his organization, Habitat For humanity. ] and .[3] Ms. Renuka and she  is a  social worker, in USA. .

[5]Mrs.Ann Mangaiarkarasi Philip : Rev. Dr. David Chellappa and Mrs.Rachel Gnanamani David Chellapa couple's daughter  Ms. Ann Mangaiarkarasi married Dr. Philip and  Dr. Philip,M.D, is a Cardiologist and he is working in a  famous Hospital in Virginia, USA,. And this  lovely couple is blessed with a lovely son by name Mr Arul, M.B A and Arul  is successfully doing   his Car  Business in US.

Conclusion: I am  privileged to say that our God has graciously blessed our late Bishop Rt.Rev Dr. David Chellappa  and his children according to His riches in tune with the promises embedded in the famous Psalm 128.

By. P. BABU MANOHARAN, M.A.[ Rights reserved. Part C will follow soon. This articlw will be modified corrected and altered later if needed }.

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The First Indian Bishop of the CSI Diocese of Madras. Rt Rev. Dr. David Chellappa . Part A

Introduction : The Rt. Rev.Dr. David Chellappa became an outstanding Kilometer-stone  in the religious history of  Independent India by becoming the first Indian Bishop of Madras CSI Diocese surmounting all obstacles by the grace of God.   Definitely Bishop David Chellappa  was a man of God, an extraordinary person and a multi faceted personality. Indeed his  profile and track of life fill some of the most important  and valuable chapters in the educational, intellectual, social , religious  history of Tamil Nadu and India. Rev. Dr David Chellappa succeeded Rt.Rev. Arthur Michael Hollis as the Bishop of Madras Diocese [CSI] in 1955 during a very crucial time immediately after India. became a Republic. The present living generations of Christians do not have adequate understanding and awareness about the indelible  and remarkable contributions made by Rev Dr. David Chellappa for the cause of education, culture, religion, social harmony, social justice , journalism, English literature and the Church of south India.

                                                                                     

                        [ Rt.Rev.Dr. David Chellappa with Her  Majesty  Queen  Elizabeth  II  ]
                  [ Place: Fort St George Church Madras, Her  Majesty's visit to Madras in  1962  ]
                                               [ Photo Courtesy.  Dr. Paul Chellappa .  USA ]

His birth, Siblings and Parents: Dr. David Chellappa hailed from one of the most outstanding Christian families of India.  David Chellappa was really blessed to have illustrious Parents and outstanding siblings. David Chellappa's father Mr Justice Daniel's forefathers were natives of  Tanjore District and they accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior by hearing the Gospel message of Christ,  through the pioneer Danish Missionaries like Rev Schwatrz and his Assistants. David Chellappa's parents Mr Daniel and Mrs Elizabeth Daniel were blessed with 8 lovely children namely:[1] Rev. Dr. David Chellappa, [2]Ms.Esther David, [3] Dr. Ebenezer Sunderraj,  [4] Ms. Grace Devadoss, [5] Dr. Theophilus, Ph.D, [6]Mr George[ Agrologist][7]Maj..Jeyaraj Wilson  and [8] Ms. Baby Jesudasen.  Dr David Chellappa's father Mr Daniel was a Judge of Madras High Court and his mother  Mrs Elizabeth Daniel was a god-fearing modest  woman and a talented home maker.
                 
                                                   

         Dr. David Chellappa's  Education : Dr. David Chellappa's illustrious father Mr Daniel was working as Magistrate in various places in the then Madras State ,.  So Mr Daniel's children had the privilege and trouble to pursue their education in many Schools in Madras State .Dr.David Chellappa had the privilege to do his High School education at the famous St John's High school, at Palayamcottai, After his High School education  he continued his collegiate education at the famous Madras Christian College, Paris corner, Madras. David Chellappa  was doing  his BA[Hons] course in English Literature at the Madras Christian College but due to some unknown reasons David  Chellappa did not write his final year examination. In this situation David Chellappa was sent to England to do his Diploma in  Theology ,  at Durham University, United Kingdom He also did a Diploma Course in Education in Durham University, England. He did his Curate at Cuthbert Anglican Church, United Kingdom He was a student at the St. Augustine College affiliated to the Canterbury University, U.K, and  there he successfully completed his BA, Degree course in English Literature. He did his Curate at Cuthbert Anglican Church in United Kingdom.. On return to Madras Rev David Chellappa was ordained as a CSI / Anglican Pastor by Rt Rev. Edward Harry Mansfield Waller . While Rev David Chellappa  was working as an ordained Pastor in Madras, he wrote a dissertation on the title,"Formation of  the Church Of South India" and submitted the same to Durham University and his dissertation was accepted by the University and he received his prestigious  M. A. Degree. from the Durham university.

Dr. David Chellappa's Marriage and Children ;  Dr. David Chellappa married Miss Rachel Gananmani , B.A. L.T and this couple's marriage was solemnized on the 13th June1938 at Ooty.Rachel Gnanamoni Chellappa was an efficacious and devoted teacher and she was a God fearing woman, creative thinker and writer and she had written a mind blowing Book under the title, KARTHAR EN PANGKU in Tamil,[and this memorable and monumental book was published by her son Dr Paul  Chellappa after her death]. Mr. David Chellppa  and his beloved wife Mrs. Rachel Chellappa were blessed with  one son and 4 daughters namely: [1] Dr. Paul Chellappa, [son],[2]Mrs Elizabeth Jeyaraj,[3] Mrs.Vasantha Kumari Miriam Miriam Daniel Purushothaman, [4]  Mrs. Monicka Souri  and [5] Mrs. Ann Manfaiarkarasi Philip. [ I will deal with the profiles of  Rev. Dr. David Chellappa's children in part B of this article.
By. P. Babu Manohaaran, M.A, [Rights are reserved. This article will be modified , enlarged and corrected later if need ].