Hyderabad: Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, known as St. Mary’s Church, Secunderabad, is turning 175. The building was used as a shelter during World War II. It’s foundation was laid in 1840. It is the only Basilica in Telangana and Andhra Pradesh and one of the 10 in the country.
Writer Ronald James Deskmukh, whose book on St Mary's church will be open to public during the 175th year celebrations, said it was originally named the Cathedral of St. Mary’s, in 1850. It later became known as the Church of Our Lady of Assumption in the 1960s. It was permanently rechristened by Pope Benedict XVI as St Mary’s Basilica since 2012.
The Adoration Hall under construction
Mr James said that in 1840, Rev. Daniel Murphy, the first Vicar Apolistic of Hyderabad, started building the church. He dedicated it as the Cathedral of St. Mary’s which was completed in 1850.
It is believed that the local British Regiment, comprising Anglicans, dismantled the roof of the church at least thrice under some pretext or the other, thereby delaying its construction.
“Fr Murphy left Hyderabad in 1864 apparently on grounds of ill health. With his sudden departure, the Vicarate remained vacant for almost two years, until Fr. Barbero Dominico (1855-82) who was working with Fr Murphy at the Cathedral of St. Mary's, Secunderabad and related missions, was appointed Vicar Apostolic in 1866,” Mr James said.
The decree designating it as a basilica was issued on November 7, 2008. The church was formerly called the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad. In 1886, it ceased to be a cathedral. In 1871, nuns from St. Anne at Turin opened a school that became popular as St. Ann's School.
Pope Benedict the XVI elevated the church to a Minor Basilica. A church is declared as a Basilica when it has a longstanding history and architectural value and draws a large number of devotees. The church, presently has approximately 15,000 registered Catholic families and thousands more who come from elsewhere. The Basilica conducts various religious programmes and services throughout the week.
Mr Sajjad Shahid, secretary for the Centre for Deccan Studies, who was awarded for his citation on St. Mary’s Church, said, “The church was constructed when there was a large presence of Irish Catholics in the British Army that was stationed at Secunderabad.”
Celebrations on May 1
A representative of Pope Benedict, Apostolic Nuncio to India and Nepal Rev. Salvatore Pennacchio, will attend the celebrations to mark the 175 years of St. Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption, on May 1 in the city.
Father Swarna Bernard, Vicar General of Hyderabad, said the Basilica will be formally dedicated by the representative of the Vatican. Archbishop of Hyderabad Thumma Bala and Bishops of both Telugu states have also been invited to take part in celebrating the Holy Mass.
The newly constructed adoration chapel and Museum of the Church will be inaugurated on the occasion. At the end of the Eucharistic celebration, there will be a brief felicitation programme that will be followed by the release of a book, ‘Endearing Journey'
The museum has been constructed within the Church campus, along with a prayer hall and a few rooms for the pilgrims. The museum will feature the church’s history and feature pictures.
In indian gothic style
The Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption is a typical example of the Indian Gothic style, with curved arches and pointed buttresses. As with other Catholic churches, it has several side altars dedicated to saints. It has four bells.
Mr Sajjad Shahid, secretary for Center for Deccan Studies said, “The church has an interesting facade composed of domineering tall towers formed of soaring spires. There is no elaborate embellishment on the façade and the imposing scale lends grandeur to the building. Located on a small hillock then, it dominated the skyline of Secunderabad when it was constructed.”
The heritage expert added, “St. Mary’s Church is an excellent example of early use of gothic architecture and is described as English perpendicular gothic, it was constructed at a time when the trend was shifting from pattern book architect, which basically was a result of replicating well-documented existing structures in Europe to a more lively style.”
Yapral church was for army personnel
St. Francis Xavier Church at Yapral was constructed by Father Daniel Murphy in 1842, along with the Basilica of Our Lady of the Assumption. Fr Murphy personally looked after churches in Trimulgherry, Bolarum and Hyderabad.
The Yapral church, located in the Cantonment area, catered mostly to the needs of the Army personnel while missionary work took a back seat. The church was initially maintained by Capuchin priests and later by Redemptorists. The Redemptorists served the longest though in two phases (1957-1961 and 1965-1982). According to writer Ronald James Deshmukh, “The changing demographics of the place required a school for local children. Fr. Joseph Vadaka thus pioneered the Valerian Grammar School.”
