Hindustani Church keeps its ethos alive

Hyderabad: Reflecting the cultural diversity and upkeep of the traditional values of the city, ‘St Luke Hindustani Church’ remains the only church in the city where prayers are conducted in Hindustani (Urdu and Hindi). The only other church of the same kind in South India is in Bengaluru.  

The word, ‘Hindustani,’ which is considered as a blend of cultures, is embedded in the name of this historic church, which relied heavily on Urdu script and now slowly transformed itself to using Devanagari. Located in Abids, the church was established in 1 acre land that was gifted by Nizam to Christian Missionary Society (CMS) in 1905. Earlier, it was named as Norman Miller Memorial Chapel. However, after Independence it was transferred to Church of South India Trust Association (CSITA), Diocese of Medak, and it was changed to a church and was neamed as ‘St Luke’s Hindustani Church’.  Since then, it remained the only church that continues to hold prayers in Hindustani. The Urdu is still on the name plate of the church. The church is located opposite to Hyderabad Collectorate in Chirag Ali Lane in Abids.

The Church follows Presbyterian denomination of protestant tradition, as most of those who visit the place to worship were converts. “Any religious devout can worship in the church. There is no bar on visitors from other communities. Everyone can visit the church to remember God Almighty. Christians who speak Hindi prefer this church, as they can easily understand the language,” said Rev K Samuel Herald Christian, In-charge at the church.

 Christian explained that Urdu is an easy language to understand and every single verse of the Bible is interpreted in Urdu in a lucid and eloquent way, so that it is easily understood. So, all prayers are conducted only in Urdu, but now the script remains Devanagari. Hundreds of devout from other religions also attend the prayers on Sundays, and they even attend the service of the Holy Communion, which will be administered on Sundays in first and third weeks of every month, he added. Christian said, “The church remains the home of God. Any religious devout can visit us and worship here. I welcome everyone to join us for the Christmas celebrations this year.” “Urdu is an easy language to understand. All prayers here are conducted only in Urdu. I regularly visit the church for worshiping,” said Saleem Joseph, a regular visitor.