HYDERABAD: St. George's Anglican Church, one of the city's oldest churches at 186 years, located in the bustling Abids neighbourhood, is being renovated and restored in time for Christmas on December 25.
The church, built on land donated by the Nizams and established in 1844, is located near Abids bus bay and has a magnificent work of architecture that has stood the test of time.
Aside from the church's renovation and painting works, the choir is practising for the Christmas service. This Sunday, the congregation will begin the Christmas season with a carol service and candle lighting.
The Christmas season involves all members of the church in various events, such as decorating the church and arranging the nativity settings, which depict Christ's birth in a manger. The Sunday school Christmas programmes are something that the children at this church look forward to all year.
From the age-old pipe organ to the fine woodwork at the altar, as well as the carved podium clergy chairs and comfortable congregation benches, everything about the church is awe-inspiring. "This church building is a wonderful work of architecture, in the midst of the busy area, once entered it gives the feeling that you are somewhere out of the city," says R. Satyanandam, special officer. "The congregation is ecstatic to participate in special services."
“The church was constructed for British officers serving in the Nizam's government at the time. The British Residency in Koti attracted a large number of Christian families to the Abids area. Now the church has been recognised and awarded by the Intach,” said Pastor Solomon, adding that the church had one English service on Sundays.
