ST. ANDREWS CHURCH ULU TIRAM

 

ST. ANDREW'S MISSION CENTRE – A BRIEF HISTORY

 The St Andrew’s Mission centre (SAMC) started as a Tamil Cell Group in Mr Daniel Ponnusamy’s residence in Taman Bukit Tiram in 1995, with some member from the St Christopher’s Church Tamil Congregation and friend in area and the encouragement of Asst Bishop M E Ponniah who was the Vicar of St Christopher’s Church, Johor Bahru. The Ministry stared to grow when each cell member took upon himself to hold cell group meetings in his home on a rotation basis among the three pioneering families of Daniel Ponnusamy, Suresh Raja and Alexander Chand.

In 1996, Asst Bishop Moses Ponniah decided to conduct a monthly Holy Communion Service at Bro. Daniel’s home and Bro. Francis Ponniah agreed to assist in the weekly ministry. Bro Francis Ponniah came from the church of the Holy Trinity, Batu Gajah and was staying at the St Christopher’s Staff Quarters while working in Singapore at that time. The home church grew consistently and many new members were added. Soon, the leaders decided that it was time to move into a separate church building in order to operate more effectively. A suitable place for worship was found at Taman Yahya Shahban in Ulu Tiram. The St. Christopher’s Parish Council (PCC) members agreed to purchase the said shop-lot at the price of RM285, 000.00 with a combination of a ‘friendly loan’ from the church and a Bank Loan.

St Andrew’s Mission Centre (SAMC) was dedicated for worship by the Diocesan Bishop Rt. Rev Tan Sri Datuk Dr Lim Cheng Ean on 27^th September 1997. Tamil services were held on Saturday at 7.30p.m.with the celebration of Holy Communion on once-a-month-basis. Children’s ministry was also conducted during the main service. In 1998, Rev Tom Cherian recommended that the Pulada Camp Members in Ulu Tiram, who at that time came to St Christopher‘s church Johor Bahru for once-a-month BM Service, be attached to St Andrew’s Mission centre. With that move, Bahasa Malaysia Service were started on Sundays at 4.00pm.Meanwhlie, the bank loan was settled by the year 2000.

Rev Tom Cherian who took over St Christopher’s church Johor Bahru as Priest-In-charge and chairman on 1^st June 2007, and also took over SAMC as its Daughter-Church. SAMC was declared a Missionary District by Asst Bishop M E Ponniah at the Holy Communion Service on Saturday, 2^nd June 2001, at 7.30pm. Rev Tom Cherian immediately formed a Pro-Tem Missionary District Council (MDC) to assist him to manage SAMC. The key office-Bearers of the MDC were Lay Reader Samuel Ponniah (Priest’s Warden & former St Christopher’s Tamil Lay Reader), Mr Daniel Ponnusamy (people’s warden), Mr Suresh Raja (secretary) and Mrs Mary Sassyah (Treasurer). Rev Tom Cherian also appointed Bro Francis Ponniah, who by then had to Ulu Tiram, as Lay Evangelist to assist in the Pastoral and alternate Saturday at 7.30pm and BM Holy Communion Services on alternate Sunday at 4.00pm. Bro Francis Ponniah conducted the remaining service as Praise & Prayer Services.

In 2003,SAMC started sending RM1,000.00 a month Diocesan Contribution in hope of becoming a Parish by 2004. A daft Electoral Roll was developed and it was established that the Tamil Congregation alone had 73 Electoral Roll Members. Rev Cherian also frequently requested for a Priest of Evangelist from the Diocese to be sent to SAMC by 2004 as it was ready to become a Parish. Rev Tom Cherian also encouraged Bro Francis Ponniah to pursue part-time studies at STM, and in2003, Bro Francis Ponniah enrolled for the Diploma in Ministry at STM as a part-time external student with 50%-support from SAMC. By 2005, he had completed 7 Modules. In June 2005, Rev David Devapitchai, came to Johor Bahru on Government transfer. With his assistance, the Tamil Service was moved to Sunday at 9.00am. Rev David left Johor Bahru upon retirement in January 2007. In July 2006, Bro Victor Arputham was sent as a Parish Assistance/Candidate for ordination to Johor Bahru upon the completion of his STM studies. Bro Victor Arputham is a product of St Christopher’s Church previously. In August 2006, Lay Evangelist Francis Ponniah left the Anglican Church as he believed he had the calling to start an independent church.in November 2006, Bro Victor Arputham will be ordained Priest in January 2008. SAMC is ready to become a Parish, Regarding the outstanding ‘friendly loan’ between SAMC and St Christopher’s Church, Johor Bahru the respective PCC and MDC have agreed to settle it in good faith and with goodwill. St Christopher’s Church Johor Bahru, is considering deeming a sizeable portion of the outstanding balance as our gift to SAMC. We are in the process of working out the final arrangement.

 

REV. TOM CHERIAN – VICAR

ST. CHRISTOPHER’S (ANGLICAN) CHURCH

JOHOR BAHRU