HISTORY OF THE ANGLICAN CHURCH IN INDIA
The History of the Anglican Church of India can be traced back to the Pre-independence era of Christianity in India. Church Missionary Society – CMS, the Missionary wing of the Church of England was formed on the 12th of April 1799. The CMS initiated its missionary activities in India in 1814, working and ministering among the needy and poor, helping the untouchables, showing the love and care that the Bible taught us to do. The CMS Missionaries initiated their work in Kerala in 1816, along with the other Orthodox Churches in the region.
Further down the road, the CMS Missionaries rapidly carried out their missionary activities which enabled the Church of England – COE to establish three major dioceses in the Provinces of Calcutta, Bombay and Madras. Eventually in 1879, the Diocese of Travancore & Cochin was consecrated and installed as the fourth major diocese of the COE.
Even though the Missionary activity was well received in the country, the political administration was not, which was when the Indian Struggle for Freedom was strengthened. National Leaders of the country, caused a great wave among the people to unite for freedom from the British oppression and thereby India achieved its independence on the 15th of August 1947.
POST INDEPENDENCE ERA
Foreseeing the attainment of the Indian Independence and the return of the British Administration and CMS missionaries back to England, The Diocese of Travancore & Cochin, adopted a new constitution in 1928 and the Travancore and Cochin Diocesan Trust Association – TCDTA was registered. Following the attainment of Indian Independence, the Church Leadership present at that time, classified the Churches present across the country into the Southern and Northern regions to enable easy administration. As a result, The TCDTA was merged with the Church of South India, with a provision to withdraw its membership within 30 years and to operate autonomously .
Even when the united churches had no intention to withdraw their membership, the Church administration which followed, did not adhere to the founded principles and basics of the agreements signed, thereby caused great misunderstandings and commotions in the church, owing to which the clergy and leaders of the TCDTA, under Bishop Corefield, resolved to have a Separate Administration Movement – SAM, from the Church of South India. After years of hardships and challenges, the missionary churches withdrew their membership from the Church of South India and resolved to continue as the Anglican Church of India, with Rev. V. J. Stephen installed as the Spiritual Administrator on the 5th of May 1965.
This further led to greater persecution and unrecognition for the diocese which had to be dealt with. The Leadership of the Anglican Church of India, met with Dr. Carl McIntire, president of the International Council of Christian Churches – ICCC, who upon hearing the Faith and Order of the Diocese, invited it to be a part of ICCC. Dr. McIntire paved the way, and Rev. V. J. Stephen was consecrated as the first Bishop of the Renovated Diocese of the Anglican Church of India, constituting mostly of Missionary Christians, on the 5th of May 1966, by The Most Rev. Dr. James Parker Dees, Metropolitan of the Anglican Orthodox Church, NC, USA. Bishop Stephen was later elevated as the Archbishop in 1983. He went beyond the veil in 1986, leaving behind a great and sacred legacy, which was then followed by his Coadjutor Bishop, The present Metropolitan of the Anglican Church of India, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Vattappara.
- 1799
Formation of the Church Missionary Society - CMS
The Missionary Wing of the Church of England - COE - 1814
First Missionary Activity of CMS in India
First Missionary Activity of CMS in India - 1879
Establishment of the Diocese of Travancore and Cochin
Established as the fourth Diocese of COE, following the dioceses at Calcutta, Bombay and Madras - 1928
Registration of TCDTA
A New Constitution was adopted and the Travancore and Cochin Diocesan Trust Association was Registered. - 1947
Indian Independence
Indian attained Independence and TCDTA was merged with the newly formed Church of South India administration with a provision to withdraw if required. - 1965
Withdrawal and Continuation of ACI
The Churches decided to withdraw from CSI and resolved to continue seperately as the Anglican Church of India with Rev. V. J. Stephen installed as the Spiritual Administrator on the 5th of May 1965. - 1966
Consecration of the First Bishop
Following the withdrawal, Rev. V. J. Stephen was consecrated as the first Bishop of the Anglican Church of India on the 5th of May 1966. He was later elevated as the Archbishop in 1983. - 1986
Legacy carried forward
Archbishop V. J. Stephen was succeeded by his son, The Most Rev. Dr. Stephen Vattappara, who still serves as the Metropolitan of ACI. - 2024
Growth of ACI
ACI continues to grow and has branched out into many states of the Country. Owing to the need and requirement of the Synod, The Most Rev. Dr. Reinhard Chandrashekar was appointed as the Associate Metropolitan of ACI in 2024