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 ].