Chapter-3

THE ANDHRA EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCH : ORIGIN AND GROWTH

III.1.1 As mentioned above,1 as early as 1810, the

Pietists and other schools of Lutherans were contemplating

to take up missionary activity, within and without USA. A

body of missionaries in the Wi 11 iamstown, in the year,

started a missionary organization called, AMERICAN BOARD

OF COMMISSIONERS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS (ABCFM), with the

aim of taking the Luthern Christianity to the countries,

where the faith had not set her foot before. A number of

Luthern Synods of America, in as much as devout

individuals richly contributed money to the body. A

Luthern Theological Seminary came to be founded at

Gettysburg in 1826, which was one of the Premier

Institutions to train missionaries to foreign lands since

then. An Organization of Students Missionary Society had

also come into being, about the same time, whose members

used to devote one day each month to read papers on

•3
missionary topics.

3.1.2 In 1820, the representatives of all the Synods

of Luthern Churches of America formed into a Council,

known as, THE BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF THE

GENERAL SYNOD (FMSGS), at their meeting in the city of

56
Baltimore. It was devised to draw plans for missionary
institutions.4 In 1835, yet another organization came

into being, called THE CENTRAL MISSIONARY SOCIETY (CMS),

at Machanicsburg, Pa., with the object "to send the Gospel

of the Son of God to the destitute portions of the Luthern

Church in the United States, to assist for a season such

Congregations as are unable to support the Gospel, and

ultimately to co-operate in sending to the heathen world.®

3.1.3 In the Annual Convention of the Ministerium of

Pennsylvania, at Easton, Pa., on June 1, 1836, another

body of Luthern Missionaries came into existence, which

came to be known as THE SOCIETY OF THE SYNOD OF

PENNSYLVANIA FOR THE PROPAGATION OF THE GOSPEL (SSPPG).

It was more popularly known as the General Synod and THE

AMERICAN LUTHERN MISSIONARY SOCIETY (ALMS).6

3.1.4 German synods were receiving frantic appeals for

financial and manual assistance in the propagation of the

Gospel, in China and India.^ It caused some response both

in Germany and among German Synods in USA. Several of

them in USA founded THE NORTH GERMAN FOREIGN MISSIONARY

SOCIETY (NGFMS) on May 30, 1837. It came to be called

subsequently as FOREIGN MISSIONARY SOCIETY OF EVANGELICAL

57
LUTHERN CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES (FMSELC). It had its
Q
headquarters at Hagerstown, Maryland.

3.1.5 Both FMSGS and SSPPG co-operated with each

other, eventhough, they maintained their separate

identities. Sending foreign missionaries by these

Organizations started with SSPPG sending Fr.John Christian

Frederick Heyer to India in 1841, followed by NGFMS.

sending Louis P. Menno Valett in 1844 and FMSGS sending

Rev. Walter Gunn, in the same year. They co-operated with

each other on the foreign field of Guntur, as their

authorities in USA were. However, it was FMSGS, which

sent most of the missionaries, followed by NGFMS., while

the SSPPG had not sent any other, than Fr.Heyer. In the

year 1867 SSPPG disintegrated, with a number of Synods

moving apart, by which a new missionary organization came

into being, called THE BOARD OF FOREIGN MISSIONS OF THE

GENERAL COUNCIL (BFMGC) with its headquarters at

Philadelphia. These developments, aided by the political

and cultural consequences in USA due to Civil War in the

middle of the century, affected the progress of missionary

work from time to time.

3.2 Progress of the Mission upto 1867

3.2.1 As mentioned above, the SSPPG was the earliest

58
to send her foreign missionary to India, the Telugu

speaking land on the east coast of the modern Andhra

Pradesh. The General Body of the Society at its meet in

the city of Harrisburg, Pa., on June 5, 1841 passed the

Resolution,9 readings

Resolved, that in reliance on Divine

Providence, we commence a heathen mission."

"Resolved that we receive Heyer as

missionary into our service."

"Resolved, that we recommend to the

Executive Committee Hindustan as a mission
field for their consideration."

3.2.2 Father Heyer originally intended to proceed to

Palamcottah in the Tinnevelly District of the Madras

Presidency (now Tamil Nadu), where a Luthern German

missionary was working but running short of men and money.

The missionaries returned to Church Mission Society, which

was working since 1799. The German Foreign Missionary

Society, in its meeting on June 4, 1839, resolved "to send

forth missionaries into the field either to co-operate

with the Palamcottah mission, or to form an independent

station, as the Executive Committee might find most
expedient.”*9 The Society requested for the services of

Fr.Heyer, who was already proved for his ability to preach

and zeal to spread the Gospel. Fr.Heyer positively

59
replied,11 "I have no particular choice but would be

willing to go wheresoever the Lord may direct, even to New

Zealand where missionaries have lately been slain and

devoured by the savages. However, it appears to me that

the Coromandel Coast, perhaps in the Tinnevelly District,

where Mr. Muller, Rhenius' son-in-law, is now standing

alone, would be the most suitable place to commence."

3.2.3 However, in the next few years, the permutations

and combinations of the. Luthern Synods in USA and

resulting some Societies changing their programmes,

delayed the matter. When Fr.Heyer accepted the invitation

of the Ministerium of Pennsylvania (SSPPG) and proceeded

to India, it was decided that the Telugu speaking land on

the east coast would be a better place, for which he was

sent. He took sail to India from the port of Boston, on

October 15, 1841 and reached Colombo in Ceylon on March

15, 1842. After a brief stay there, he reached

Tuticorin on March 23. He visited Palamcottah on the way

and through Trichinopoly and Tanjore, reached Madras, on

April 16, from where he proceeded to the Telugu country.

He passed through Nellore District, where he met the

American Baptist missionaries, Rev. Day and Van Husen.

The former was on his sick bed, while the latter

accompanied him through the interior of the district,

60
through villages. The Father reached Ongole, then-thought

of selecting a place for his mission field, either at

Ongole, or Guntur, or El lore (modern town of Eluru, the

headquarters of the West Godavari District). He reached

Guntur on July 31, 1842, where the District Collector, Mr.

Henry Stokes and his subordinate staff, Mr. Newill, the

first Assistant Collector, Dr. Evans, Judge Walter,

General Buckel, Judge Wood, Dr. Smith, Captain O'Neil and

the Assistant Collectors, Hutwa and Barlow, whom the

Father had mentioned as his friends and benefactors,1,3

received him courteously. H. Stokes offered a building on

his compound for the stay of the Father. This welcome and

co-operation made Fr. Heyer to decide in favour of making

Guntur as his centre of activity. He founded the mission-

field of Guntur on behalf of the Pennsylvania Ministerium,

or the SSPPG. This was the corner stone for the future

fabric of AELC, whose history can be reckoned from July

31, 1842.

3.2.4 The District Collector, Mr. H.Stokes had

established an English School, in a part of his official

residence, before the arrival of Fr.Heyer. The Father

took up the responsibility of the school and conducting

prayers with the Europeans and the local people,

separately in English and Telugu. Thus he commenced the

61
mission at Guntur. In his letter to the Executive
Committee of the SSPPG., dated September 17, 1842, he
wrote, "It will no doubt be gratifying to you that the
mission has not only made a good beginning but has
likewise thus far successfully progressed. As far as I am
acquainted with the history of modern missions, I know no
society that has attained such a sphere of operation in so
short a time and with such small means as ours. I have
more to do now than when I had charge of a pastoral
district in America.”14

3.2.5 His daily routine started, as he reported in his

letter, with alms-giving to a gathering of about 70 poor,
blind, lame, crippled and destitute, who used to gather at
his door-step. He used to read out a portion of the
scripture and pray with them, before distributing alms.1^
The amount of alms was about $14, contributed regularly
every month by the District Collector and his official
associates of European community.

3.2.6 Within a month of arrival, Fr.Heyer achieved a

remarkable progress in the field of education, true to the
letter and spirit of his Report, cited above. The number
of schools rose up to six, including the English school,
whose management was taken over by him. The others were

62
Telugu schools, attended by children of low castes and
out-castes. The Father reported, of the completion of a
separate building to house the school, together with a
prayer hall, by January 4, 1843, which he considered as
the beginning of the American Evangelical Luthern Mission
in Guntur.16 In his Report dated October 11, 1843, on his
first year's work,17 Fr.Heyer presented, "Instructed and
baptized three adults, two native Christians from the
Tamil country, who were employed by Mr.Stokes, united with
the three baptized Telugus in partaking of the Holy
Communion... Including the poor people, who receive
religious instruction on Sunday morning at sunrise, with
the natives who attended Telugu preaching about One
O'clock, the whole number amounts to nearly two hundreds."

3.2.7 These reports prove that Fr.Heyer was able to

attract a sizeable crowd at prayers and made an impressive
progress in the mission work. His work seem to have
evoked interest to some other Societies of the time, the
first among them appears to be NGFMS., which had sent Rev.
Louis P. Menno Valett, who arrived at Guntur in February,
1944.18 He accompanied the Father in his missionary tour
to Palnadu area, starting from Guntur on March 8, 1844.^

They reached Macherla on March 20, traversing through the

villages of Phirangipuram, Narasaraopet, Piduguralla,

63
Dachepalli, Pondugala, Gurazala and Rentachintala. They

addressed gatherings of villagers, conducted prayers and

distributed tracts. This was the first time that the

Gospel was introduced to the people of these villages, who

had no knowledge of it before. He made a record of six

9D
cases of baptism by January 15, 1844.

3.2.8 On June 30, 1844, the first mission house was

built on the land granted by the Government, on July 4,

1843,21 at a cost of $ 800. The amount was contributed by

the Missionary Society of the South Carolina Synod,

through SSPPG. This building was used both for the school

and church, having been occupied by the Father, a part of

it for his residence. Rev.Valett selected Rajahmundry for

his missionary activity, as advised by Fr.Heyer and left

in the month of January, 1845.22

3.2.9 However, Fr.Heyer was very much discouraged with

the SSPPG., for not providing adequate financial support

to his services on the field. As early as October, 1842,

less than three months after his arrival, he wrote to the

authorities in such strong terms as, "In case the Church

in America is not willing to do more than pay the salary

of the missionary, I cannot remain in Guntur." He

repeated the threat in December and in January, 1843,

64
complained, "It seems wrong and unjust that the American

Luthern Mission should depend so much for support on a

member (Mr. Stokes) of another ecclesastical body.”24 He

suggested time and again, that the American Luthern

Missionary Society (ALMS), or the SSPPG as it was also

called, to co-operate with German Mission Societies, which

were also interested in this field, and also for a closer

co-operation between the SSPPG and the FMSGS. He proposed

that there be a union of effort, as to the Guntur-field,

between the Societies, even when each supporting its own

missionaries, should come together to share the expenses

of construction of schools, churches, mission houses and

others. His proposals were accepted by the SSPPG in its

Annual Meeting in 1843, and approved FMSGS2^ sending

Rev.Walter Gunn to Guntur, to co-operate with the Father.

3.2.10 Rev.Walter Gunn arrived on June 18, 184426 and

soon entered the work enthusiastically. He took up

teaching English to the Hindu boys in the school and

conducting the Bible Study classes for the English

residents of the town. He took part occasionally in the

English services on Sundays. Mrs. Gunn also engaged

herself in teaching English and needle-work to Hindu

girls. After his arrival, a total of 18 adult and 6 child

65
cases of baptism were reported in the year 1845, of whom
?7
four were permitted to the Communion.

3.2.11 But, Fr.Heyer continued to nurse his grievance

about the inadequate financial support from the SSPPG

which could not send more than two to three hundred

dollars a year, in addition to his salary of $200 per

annum, equal to Rs.600/-. He had no alternative, but to

collect contributions from the English officials and some

individual Churches. ° Beside this unhappy financial

situation, which he wanted to apprise the authorities of

the SSPPG in person, he was worried about his mother-less

children at home. Therefore, he decided to go to America

on a furlough and wrote to the authorities for permission.

His request was granted by a letter dated July 6, 1844,

but he left India on December 22, 1845, without waiting

for it.29

3.2.12 The departure of Fr.Heyer forced the SSPPG to

think of transferring the field to FMSGS and the matters

were being transpired between the two bodies in 1846.

Rev. Gunn was already functioning on behalf of the latter

and discharging his assignment with a spirit of

dedication, despite being gravely ill. He baptized two

persons in 1847, among whom Malapati John was famous as

66
 1088G9
the leader of the mass movement in Palnadu in subsequent
times.30 The second was given the name Stephen, who was a
former disciple of a priest31 but became the first native

catachist after his conversion. After a prolonged illness

due to a severe Malarial attack, Rev. Gunn breathed his

last on July 5, 1851. He was the first Luthern missionary

who laid down his life in the field of Guntur, while

building up of the Telugu Luthern Church.

3.2.13 Fr.Heyer was assigned to work within the country

for some period, on his return, but the SSPPG once again

decided to send him to Guntur. In its meeting in June,

184732 it was resolved, on condition that, he "would not

leave the mission-field unless the Society failed to pay

his salary, or ill-health compelled him to leave India.”

He sailed from Boston on December 4 , 1847 and reached

Guntur on May 15, 1848.

3.2.14 Shortly after his arrival, Father Heyer resumed

his missionary operations in Palnadu, leaving Guntur to

the care of Rev. Gunn. He started on January 22, 1849,

accompanied by a catechist, Nicodemus. He arrived with

his party on 27th of the month, at the village of

Vaikunthapuram and converted on the next day a goldsmith,

proceeded thereon to Krosuru, where a group of Hindus were

converted and on February 12, in a village called

Polepalli, a few more conversions were carried on. The

second Palnadu expedition of Heyer lasted about six weeks

and he informed Mr. Stokes, the District Collector34 about

22 conversions made during the tour. Mr.Stokes, who was

happy at Hayer’s success, advised him to establish a

station in the Palnadu area and offered to build a mission

house. Heyer accepted the suggestion and the offer and

moved to Gurazala on April 12, 1849 where he founded the

second station of AELM in India, first being the Guntur.

3.2.15 Having his station at Gurazala, Fr.Heyer visited

the villages of Macherla, Polepalli, Kolagotla, Veldurti

and other. After eight months of work, he baptized 42

persons in Palnadu. On November 25, 1849, the Lord's

Supper was administered in Gurazala for the first time to

14 communicants. He continued his work in Palnadu till

February, 1853 and baptized a total of 243 persons in

eight villages. He extended his Evangelical expeditions

beyond Palnadu, into the neighbouring Markapur taluk of

Kurnool District and sent his assistants, Appaiah, Joseph

and Jacob. They covered the area of Tripurantakam,

Yerragondapalem in the Kurnool District and Yerrapalem in

68
the Cuddapah District. They returned to Gurazala through
qo
Kuricheau and Vinukonda.

3.2.16 Fr.Heyer reported the progress, he achieved in

Palnadu, that "The hour appointed for the Sunday morning

service was eight O’clock. When all had assembled, we

find that the number of visitors from different villages

amounted to seventy one, add to this numbers ten persons

who have been baptized and the total will be eighty one.

It must appear the more remarkable to you, when you

consider that our Palnadu station was commenced less than

a year ago. This is the Lord's doings."^

3.2.17 The mission work at Rajahmundry was opened by

the North German Foreign Missionary Society (NGFMS), who

sent their missionary, Rev.Louis P. Menno Valett, as

mentioned above. He set sail from Hamburg, on May 26,

1843 and arrived at Madras on October 2 and reached Guntur

in the month of February, 1844. He stayed for sometime

with Fr.Heyer and learnt Telugu under him and accompanied

in his Palnadu tour during the month of March, 1844. He

was in search of a field for his activity and received

invitation from Sir Arthur Cotton and several of his

assistants, who were at the time, constructing the anicut

on the river Godavari, near Dhavalesvaram. They promised

69
that useful work could be carried on there, where a large

crowd in hundreds was engaged in the construction work and

pledged their co-operation in the mission. Fr.Heyer

advised him to accept the invitation and to start a

mission-station at Rajahmundry, the town at a distance of

10 KM., to the site of the anicut. Accordingly Rev.Valett

left Guntur and arrived at Rajahmundry in January, 1845.41

3.2.18 Rev. Valett began his missionary activity, by

daily services or prayer and preaching, in Telugu for the

natives, who were engaged in the construction work; and in

English for the Europeans in the town. Further, on every

Sunday evening he used to conduct English service for the

foreign residents and others additionally. After an

year's hard work, he got two more missionaries joined to

assist him, Charles W. Groenning and Ferdinand August

Heise. After their graduation in the Mission Institute of

NGFMS, they left USA on December 12, 1845 and arrived at

Rajahmundry on July 22, 1846.42

3.2.19 Nevertheless, the three missionaries were

enthusiastic and dedicated to their work, besides ably

supported and co-operated by the European residents of the

town, yet the progress of the Rajahmundry station was very

slow. Rev.Valett could report his first baptism on

70
February 18, 1849, nearly five years after his arrival

there. Rev.Groenning left his companion, Rev.Heise at

Rajahmundry to assist Rev. Valett and himself proceeded to

Eluru, where he started another field in May, 1849.43

3.2.20 The NGFMS had its headquarters in USA, but it

was financially supported by Lutherans in Germany. The

German States were passing through a stage of political

confusion during the years 1848 and 1849, which rendered

them unable to support the missionary activity of the

NGFMS. Hence the Society decided to give up the activity

and handing over the field to FMSGS. The transfer was

affected on January 1, 1851, by which the fields of Guntur

and Rajahmundry came under the management of a single

mission. The unhappy financial position of the

Rajahmundry field for some years in the past and the

transfer of the field placed Rev. Valett in a vagueness

and he resigned on March 9, 1851.44 FMSGS recruited

Rev.William J.Cutter and Rev.William E.Snyder to foreign

service, who boarded ship at Boston on August 11, 1851 and

reached Guntur on February 20, 1852.4^

3.2.21 The Executive Committee of the FMSGS suggested

the missionaries in the Telugu country to organize a

meeting and to form into a Synod. Thus, the first Luthern

71
Synod in India, that is to say in coastal Andhra, came to

be organized on January 31, 1853 at Guntur. It

consisted of Fr.Heyer of Palnadu, Rev.Heise and Rev.

Cutter of Rajahmundry and Rev. Groenning and Rev.Snyder of

Guntur. The purpose of the organization was mutual

counsel and co-operation among the missionaries working in

the coastal strip of Andhradesa. Fr.Heyer was elected as

its President and Rev. Snyder as the Secretary. It was

organized on the basis of the constitution of the General

Synod of the Evangelical Luthern Church of the United

States, as far as that it was applicable. The Secretary

of the Synod applied for admission of the Synod into the

General Synod and it was granted in 1855.4^ The Synod of

Andhra, as it may be referred to, decided that Fr. Heyer

and Rev. Groenning had to exchange their fields and

accordingly the latter proceeded to Palnadu on February

14, 1853 and Heyer stayed back at Guntur.

3.2.22 The area of Guntur in the 1850s was frequently

effected by the epidemic incidence of Cholera and there

was an alarming loss of life, including the missionary

persons. Rev.Cutter and Snyder had terrible grief due to

the loss of their family members and thus, left India on
furlough.48 Thus Fr.Heyer had to proceed to Rajahmundry

in 1854 and Groenning had to manage Guntur and Palnadu

72
fields from Guntur. Fr.Heyer was pleading for a long

time, to allow him to come over to United States, on the

ground that he was growing old and infirm, by replacing

him with some young man. But, he could not be relieved

for want of suitable persons to replace him, at least till

Rev. Heise returned after his. furlough.^ But he began

to grow restless and once again left the country in April

1857, even before he was permitted to leave.5® He left

the Rajahmundry field under the charge of George N.Taylor,

who does not seem to be a missionary. He wrote while he

was leaving India, "The sun of my life is sinking, the day

is waning and the shades of evening are rapidly

approaching.”5 *

3.2.23 George Taylor managed the field of Rajahmundry

for nine months, till Rev.Heise returned back and resumed

charge in 1858. There was only a single missionary during

these months, on the fields of Rajahmundry, Guntur and

Palnadu, and he was Rev.Groenning at Guntur.

3.2.24 Rev. Heise left America, on completion of his

furlough, took sail from New York in May, 1857 and reached

Madras on September 3. Finally he arrived at Rajahmundry

on January 18, 1858 and took over the work that Fr.Heyer

73
had left. But, in the midst of his work, his health was
declining and he was forced to leave the field in 1861.52

3.2.25 Rev. Snyder started, after completing his

furlough, together with two new recruits, Rev. Unangst and

Rev. Adam Long, from Boston, on November 23 , 1857 and

reached Guntur on April 1, 1858.He took up the fields

of Guntur and Palnadu, Rev. Unangst remaining with him,

while Rev. Long proceeded to Rajahmundry. Besides

registering a good progress of education on the field, he

undertook a missionary tour to Palnadu, where he recorded

39 adult and 40 child conversions. But, unfortunately, on

the day of his return to Guntur from Palnadu, he was

afflicted by Cholera and passed away on March 5, 1859.

3.2.26 Rev. Long, who had gone to Rajahmundry to assist

Rev. Heise, was advised to start a new station on the

thickly populated Godavari region, somewhere between the

coast line and the town of Rajahmundry. The conference of

missionaries on December 25 and 26, 1858, adopted the

resolution unanimously,^ as "Resolved, that we proceed

immediately to organize a station at Pittapur, or Peddapur

and that Dr. Long be requested to occupy either of these

places as soon as possible." He selected Samalkot, where

the new station was started on January 31, 1859, with the

74
help of Capt. Todd, the Officer-in-Charge of the 28th
Regiment, stationed at the place.

3.2.27 When Rev.Heise left Rajahmundry field in 1862,

Rev. Groenning had to look after that field, along with
his Guntur and Palnadu fields. He left Guntur to the care
of Rev. Unangst and went to Rajahmundry. Inspite of the
busy work of the two fields, he toured the Palnadu area
twice in September, 1862 and in August, 1863, spending
i

about five weeks each time. He baptized 16 adults in his

second tour.55 In the Rajahmundry field during the years
1863-64, he recorded 20 adults and 8 children were
converted, while in 1865, 11 more adults and 4 children
were baptized.55

3.2.28 During the summer of 1865, Groenning, his wife

and their two sons were seriously ill and one of the
children succumbed to illness. On the advice of
Physicians, he left the country with his family.57 So,
also was Rev. Long, who opened the new station of Samalkot
was afflicted by Small-pox, together with a few of his
family members. Following the death of their two
children, he himself met the eternal rest on March 5,
1866.58

75
3.2.29 Rev.Erias Unangst was alone on the field of

Guntur and had to carry on the work, being hard-pressed

for financial resources. There was a severe financial

stringency due to Civil War in USA., almost althrough the

decade of 1867-70. He had to look after the fields of

Palnadu and Samalkot too, while two catechists, Tota

Joseph and Nelaprolu Paulus, took care of the Rajahmundry

field.

3.2.30 By the year 1867, there were four stations of

the mission, viz., Guntur, Rajahmundry, Samalkot and

Palnadu, beside 29 out-stations, or the villages where

Christians lived. The number of baptized were 1140 and

out of them 350 were communicants, 3 catechists and 2

colportuers.6®

3.2.31 The decade of 1860s was a period of great

financial stringency owing to the Civil War in USA, by

which the Mission Organizations in that country were not

able to send adequate money and men. Several missionaries

on the mission-fields of Guntur and Rajahmundry died of

diseases and epidemics. In this critical time, FMSGS

decided to transfer the Rajahmundry field to the Church

Missionary Society61 on the advice of Rev. Unangst. The

Society was managing Eluru and they were happy to take

76
over the neighbouring Rajahmundry field. Rev. Alexander

of the Society was authorised to take charge of the field,

paying off the workers. The transfer was effected on May

1, 1869.

3.2.32 Fr.Heyer, who was then in Germany, came to know

the matter of transfer of Rajahmundry field, from

Rev.Groenning, who was also in Germany at that time.62 He

rushed himself to USA, to the headquarters of the FMSGS to

oppose the transfer. He attended the Annual Meeting of

the SSPPG, at Reading, in May, 1869 and appealed the

Ministerium to take back the Rajahmundry field from Church

Missionary Society. His pleadings were heeded and BFMGS

came forward to maintain the field on August 27, 1869.

Fr.Heyer, at the age of 76 came to the field, once again,

for third time, in December 1869. He brought from Germany

Rev. Hans Christian Schmidt and Rev. Christian Frederick

John Becker, associates of Rev. Groenning, to work on the

field. He affected the transfer of the mission from the

Church Mission Society, back to the Luthern Church of

America. His stay this time, was very brief lasting only

an year and two months, but he baptized 102 persons in the

villages around Rajahmundry. On the Christmas Day of
CO
1870, 70 were Communed. He left India on January 30,

1871, sailing from the port of Kakinada, back to his

77
homeland in Germany, with a deep sense of contentment of

having restored the mission field of Rajahmundry to the

American Lutherans.

3.2.33 Because of the division of the General Synod in

1867, in USA, the field of Guntur mission passed under the

control of FMSGS, whose headquarters was at Baltimore and

the Rajahmundry field came under the management of BFMGS,

whose headquarters was at Philadelphia. These General

Bodies constituted a separate standing committee for

Andhra country, which was locally controlling by means of

two headquarters, Guntur for the southern part and

£ A
Rajahmundry for the northern part. * This arrangement

continued till 1920.

3.3. Progress During 1870-1920

3.3.1 As mentioned above, the Guntur field under FMSGS

and the Rajahmundry field under BFMGS, had more or less

independent course of progress, though there was co­

ordinated management by means of the standing committee

appointed by the two Societies. Hence their progress

during the period 1870 to 1920, when the two areas

constituted AELC, may better be traced separately. The

period was in general a time of harvest for the

cultivation of evangelism, by phenomenal increase of out-

78
stations, rapid expansion of their services, proliferation

of the number of conversions, communions, ordinations and

construction of churches, mission-houses, schools and

hospitals, among others.

3.3.2 Rev. Unangst, who came on April 1, 1858, was on

the field and continuously engaged himself in the active

work, despite the shortcomings of money and men till May

7, 1871. He registered an impressive record of 2150

converts both at Guntur and Rajahmundry, put together.

During this period for a greater part, he was the lone

missionary on the field of Coastal Andhra, as mentioned

above. He returned back on April, 1872, leaving his

family in USA, in which he exhibited a rare spirit of

sacrifice.®® He brought along with him, Rev. John H.

Harpster, who was sent by the General Synod. Rev.

Harpster, in the company of Rev. Unangst undertook an

extensive missionary tour to Palnadu in the same year,

where there was no resident missionary for over a decade,

since Heyer left Gurazala in 1854.®® The field promised a

more successful future and hence Rev. Unangst stationed

Rev. Harpster at Dachepalli, where he opened a new

station. Rev. Harpster made remarkable progress with 1300

adult conversions by the time he left Guntur, on health

grounds, on March 26, 1876.®^

79
3.3.3 Rev. Unangst had the association of Rev.

L.L.Uhl, at Guntur who arrived on March 26, 1873, when

Rev. Harpster had gone to work at Dachepalli. Rev. Uhl

was one of the outstanding Lutheran missionaries who had

come to Guntur, with a devoted service of 50 years, till

he left the country finally in 1923.68 He was followed by

Rev. Adam D. Rowe, who was deeply impressed by the

farewell accorded to Rev. Uhl at Harrisburg and nursed the

strong desire to come to India to serve the cause of

Lutheran Evangelism, eventhough, there were no funds

available. "He conceived the idea of raising the needed

funds through the Children of the Church. The plan met

with approval. The Children's Foreign Missionary Society

was formed and from that time his support was assured. He

organized within an year, 315 Societies, having 21,000

members, through his lectures and publication of books and

collected $ 6,000 for the cause.”69

3.3.4 Having been sent by the Pennsylvania Synod and

started from Philadelphia on September 12, 1874, Rev. Rowe

arrived at Guntur on December 11.70 As he was already a
renowned preacher and educationist,7* he took up the

management of the High School at Guntur and at the same

time looked after the Bapatla and Tenali fields. The

80
period of 1876-78 saw a terrible famine raging the Andhra

area, causing starvation deaths estimated at 5 million.

Rev. Rowe shouldered the management of the famine relief

operations on behalf of the Guntur Mission, getting

financial assistance from "Mansion House Relief". It gave

him a splendid opportunity to carry on mass conversions

and could baptize 1700 persons during the two years.73

Following the illness of his wife, he had to go on

furlough on April 16, 1880, but soon came back to actively

engage himself in brisk activity, on November 23, 1881.

But he was not destined to live long in the service of the

Mission, breathed his last within an year, on September

16, 1882.

3.3.5 Rev. Unangst left the field on furlough for

second time, in 1882, but had to return back within a

short time, because of the sudden demise of Rev. Rowe.

Leaving his family in his home country he came to work

with single-minded dedication and undertook several

missionary tours to Palnadu, till he left the country in

1896. His evangelical work was mostly concentrated in

that area, where he established the Faith on a firm

footing. He exhibited a rare bravery in bearing with the

loss of his wife and father in USA, in quick succession in

the year 1896, when he was busy with his missionary tours

to Palnadu.

81
3.3.6 Rev.Harpster came back again on October 21,

1893, after completing his furlouh and took charge of

Sattenapalli field. He worked there till April 1, 1905,

when his term of assignment was completed and thought of

going back to his home land. But the Board of the General

Council requested him to manage the Rajahmundry field,

recognizing his services were most valuable and

indispensable.^

3.3.7 Rev.L.L.Uhl witnessed the growth of the mission

in its all aspects, to attain full form. His services in

the fields of education and medical services form the

events of red-letters, not only in the history of AELC,

but also in the history of Guntur City. He re-opened the

English School^ in Guntur, which has since then developed

into the Andhra Christian College of today, one of the

premier educational institutions in the coastal districts

of Andhra Pradesh. An educationist of front rank, he

shaped the educational institutions in such a way, as they

would prepare young boys with character and discipline to

behave as responsible citizens.^® During his time the

first Strock Memorial Church was constructed on Gunn

Compound and dedicated on the Christmas Day in 1876. The

new Strock Memorial Church on the Groenning Compound,

which is presently known as "St.Mathew's West Parish

82
Church," was constructed between 1904-07. He was in­

charge of evangelist activity in the areas of Tenali,

Repalle and Bapatla from 1890 to 1892, during which time

he toured extensively, village by village. During his

first tour lasting for 59 days, he covered 192 villages.'

3.3.8 The decade of 1870-80 witnessed some significant

and far-reaching developments in the history of the Guntur

field. First of them is the ordination of native pastors

and the next is the expansion of the field with an out-

station at Dachepalli, in Palnadu. The third was the

beginning of the arrival of Woman Missionaries about the

close of the decade.

3.3.9 Gradually, the difficulties in sending

missionaries and maintaining them were increasingly felt

by the Missionary Societies in USA and they began to

emphasise the need of preparing the natives as ordained

pastors. As the initial step, Mr.R.E.Cully, a Eurasian,

was ordained on October 5, 1873.78 He was already a

recognized member of the mission and he was entrusted with

charge of the Guntur field, when Rev.Unangst left on

furlough in 1871.This was the beginning, followed by

the ordination of two Telugu people, Medikonduru Nathaniel

and Bethala John, on January 7, 1877.80 Besides, Sunday

83
Schools came to be conducted to set a quick pace of
progress of evangelism in the area. The first Sunday
School on the Guntur field was organized in 1875.81

3.3.10 From 1880 onwards, the Missionary Societies

began to send Women Missionaries, Miss. Kate Boggs, being
the first of them. She arrived at Guntur on February 15,
1881, but could not stay for long and could do no useful
work, except struggling hard with her failing health.
Finally, she left the country, the Guntur field, on April
OO
15, 1883 and had not returned. Next woman missionary to
have come to Guntur was Miss. Anna Sarah Kugler, who was
one of the most outstanding among them, perhaps, among the
whole range of missionaries, that had come to Guntur. She
arrived at Guntur on November 29 , 1883 , sent by the
General Synod and carried on medical work at the place for
over 45 years.00 Miss.Fannie M. Dryden was another great
personality among them who came to Guntur on November 27,
1883, two days earlier than Miss.Kugler. She did
admirable work in zenana and in organizing the Girl's
School. n Which grew into what is known as the Stall
Girls High School. In February, 1892, a Teacher's
Training School for women was opened with an enrollment of
eight.85

84
3.3.11 By the year 1890, the mission of Guntur attained

well-established state with four resident missionaries and

a number of school buildings.

3.3.12 One of the great educationists, perhaps, the

next only to Rev.L.L.Uhl, was Rev.L.B.Wolf, to have come

to Guntur. He left Philadelphia on August 25, 1883 and

reached on November 29. He ably assisted Rev.Uhl, in the

development of the college and the hospital, for which the

latter was devoting his time and energies.86 Rev.WoIf was

the main personality in the construction of mission-houses

at Sattenapal 1 i , Chirala and Narasaraopet. Most

significant is his contribution to Press and Publications,

being a good author by himself.8^ He brought the first

printing press to Guntur with the help of Rev.William

Schwartz.

QO
3.3.13 Rev. John Nicholas00 followed Rev.Wolf, starting

on November 1 , 1885 in America and reached Guntur on

January 30 , 1886 and worked on the Palnadu and

Narasaraopet fields. But unfortunately he passed away

within an year, on December 16, 1886.

3.3.14 The second out-station at Narasaraopet was

established about the year 1891, by Miss. Susan R.Kistler,

85
who arrived at Guntur on December 1, 1888. She was joined

by Rev. Aberly in 1892 and developed the station as long

as she worked there, till she resigned in 1895.

3.3.15 Rev. John Aberly was another notable missionary

on the Guntur field, who worked for a long time,

associating himself with Rev.Uhl and Rev.Wolf, in the

alround development of the mission. He started in USA on

November 27, 1889 and reached Guntur on January 18, 1890.

It was already recognized by the time of his arrival, that

natives must be prepared to get ordination to serve as

pastors.Rev.John Aberly was himself ordained at Guntur

by India Conference on December 13, 1891,9® an(j was

appointed to work at Narasaraopet. The new station

started in 1891, by Miss. Susan Kistler,®*- extended the

evangelical activities under his charge. As an evangelist

he toured village by village and brought a large number of

rural masses into the fold of Christianity. His

missionary expeditions extended far beyond the confines of

Narasaraopet field, and reached as far south as Kanigiri

in Nellore District.

3.3.16 From 1894 to 1923 , he took charge of the

Boarding School and the Theological Training School at

Guntur, which was later on shifts to Rajahmundry. His

86
knowledge and discipline contributed in a long way to the
development of the School, which could produce dedicated,
disciplined and devoted youngmen who could serve as
ordained pastors. By the year 1920, there were 18
ordained native pastors, for which undoubtedly Rev.Aberly
was mostly deserving the applause.

3.3.17 Rev.Aberly was a good scholar in Telugu and

Sanskrit and thus worked on the Review Committee for the
Telugu Bible Translation.

3.3.18 Rev.Johnnes George William Albrecht was another

significant personalities ranking among the builders of
the AELC. He started on August 10, 1892 and reached
Guntur on November 24. He associated with Rev.Unangst in
his missionary tours to Palnadu and finally took charge of
Dachepalli in 1894.^ He shifted the station to
Rentachintala, where he started a Boarding School. he
could obtain 30 acres of land with the help of Mr.Vallerla
Gangireddy, the village assistant (Munisif) of
Rentachintala, where foundations for the construction of
mission-bungalow and school building were laid in 1903.
They were completed and occupied on September 17, 1904.^

87
3.3.19 The period 1900-20 was exceedingly fruitful for

the Church with its alround growth and expansion. In

addition to the three stations of Guntur, Narasaraopet

and Rentachintala, four new stations came to function.

First of them came at Sattenapal1i, where Dr.Mc.Cauly was

assigned to work as evangelistic missionary. He came to

Guntur on December 11, 1898 and soon started his activity

at Sattenapal1i. In 1903, the mission-house was ready and

he could found the station as the resident missionary.^

He stayed there for a decade, upto 1912 and greatly

developed the field. The second station came at Chirala

Q C
in 1904. Rev.E.C. Harris was managing the field from

Guntur, but when the mission-house was ready he moved to

the place as resident missionary. The third was Tenali

which came to be a separate station about the year 1911

under Dr.S.C.Burger, who occupied the mission-house and

became a resident missionary. The fourth was the

Tarlubadu station in Nellore District (now in Prakasam

District) which was started by Rev.Muller in 1910 and the

resident missionary occupied his station-house in

QO
December, 1912, when it was completed.

3.3.20 During the period a number of church buildings

and chapels were constructed, the important among them are

the Church building at Rentachintala, dedicated on

88
December 17, 1904; the New Church Building on the

Groenning Compound at Guntur, presently called as

St.Mathew’s West Parish Church, whose construction was

commenced on January 21, 1904 and dedicated on October 8,

1907; A chapel on the compound of Kugler Hospital, built

during 1908-09; Groenning Buglow completed on the

Groenning Compound at Guntur in 1912; the Mangalamandiram,

a training centre for women in Bible exposition and

handicrafts, was completed and dedicated in 1914."

3.3.21 During the period the Baptized Membership rose

from 18,964 in 1900 to 40,198 in 1910; and to 63,370 by

1920. Of them about 3,800 have come from Sudra community

in Palnadu.100

3.3.22 Towards the administrative organisation of the

AELC, which was yet to take the name, the first step was

official organisation of the Guntur field into Guntur

Synod, on October 29, 1906.*°* It continued till 1929,

when the AELC came into existence, with its own

constitution and official clergy. The Guntur Synod had

its office-bearers: Dr.Uhl as the President, Rev.P.Abraham

as the Vice-President, Dr.Harris and Dr.Aberly as

1 oo
Treasurers. The Synod vouched its objectives-10^ as:

89
3.3.23 "To promote the work of Christ in India, by

establishing Self-Supporting and Self-Governing

Evangelical Lutheran Congregations, by constituting

charges among the individual congregations? by licensing

and ordaining suitable candidates for its ministry and

exercising discipline over its members; by hearing appeals

from all church councils and special conferences; and by

distributing or supplying all funds constituted by the

congregations, or entrusted to it by the mission

conference or otherwise.

3.4. Rajahmundry Field

3.4.1 While restoring the Rajahmundry field to the

American Lutheran Societies, Fr.Heyer came in the month

of December 1869, at the age of 76. He toured several

villages around and baptized 31, by May 15, 1870. He made

arrangements for the maintenance of the field, at first,

by prevailing over the FMSGS and BFMGS to take back the

field and secondly by enlisting two youngmen, whom he

brought from Germany into the service. They were Rev.Hans

Christian Schmidt and Rev.Christian Frederick John Becker.

The latter started at once, despite shortage of finance

with the General Council (BGMGS) which came forward to

take over the field and to maintain. He left USA on

October 16, 1869 reached Madras on December 18, and

90
Rajahmundry on February 1, 1870. He actively accompanied

Fr.Heyer in his evangelical tours, participated with all

enthusiasm, but passed away in less than six months after

his arrival, on May 8, at the age of 25. The news of his

sad demise hastened Rev.Schmidt, who reached Rajahmundry

on August 4, 1870. On January 22, 1871 another foreign

missionary, Rev. Iver K. Pomlsen sent by the General

Council, had arrived. Thereon, Fr.Heyer left Rajahmundry

on January 30, for his home land, with a good deal of

confidence, that the two missionaries would do with all

success. 104

3.4.2 However, the two missionaries, Rev.Schmidt and

Rev.Poulsen "were young, inexperienced, unfamiliar with

the vernacular and unaccustomed to the climate.... The

Baptist Missionaries in the adjacent districts molested

them by enticing away their native helpers and

proselytising their converts. The Church at home failed

to furnish them with sufficient funds to improve the

opportunities, which presented themselves for the

extension of the mission. For seven years they laboured

patiently and hopefully side by side, waiting for other

missionaries to come over and help them, but waiting in

vain; and their effort was little more than a struggle for
the existence of the Mission.*05 Nevertheless, they

91
proved themselves matching to the need of the hour,

struggled hard attaining progress in slow degrees.

3.4.3 Early in 1871, Rev.Schmidt, with the help of a

native Christian teacher, called Jeremiah, founded a

school at Jagannathapuram. There was a strong opposition

from the local Hindus to the school and the religious

education in it. Rev.Schmidt overpowered the opposition

with the support of the Government.1®6 Jeremiah was

placed in a fearless and secure situation with which, he

could take up a tour in the summer over the Narasapur

region and baptized 13 adults and another 2 at the village

called, Metta.1®^

3.4.4 On January 17, 1872, accompanied by Jeremiah and

Rev.Poulsen, Rev.Schmidt undertook a missionary tour to

the mountainous areas in the west of the district, where

the tribals, Koya, Reddi and others lived. The regions

were not visited by any missionary before them and the

people never heard of the Christianity.1®8 The tribals

were at first terrified at the sight of the whitemen, but

well received after they overcame the initial fear.

Rev.Schmidt reported that the preaching of the Gospel made

them to realize that they were so far living like animals

and ignorantly worshipping stones, but made up their minds

92
to live like men hereafter, believing in the living
God.*09 Some native converts offered to go over there to

start a school, for the tribals, as a follow-up action.

3.4.5 An event of great significance in the history of

Christianity and Christian literature in the Andhradesa

was, a Conference was convened in the year 1873 , at

Rajahmundry, which was attended by representatives of

almost all the missions, that had been working among the
Telugu people.**0 The purpose of the meeting was to

determine the accuracy of the Telugu translation of the

Bible and to make necessary revision in it. Rev.Schmidt,

not only convened and conducted the Conference, but also

played a very important role in the revision, as he could

compare the Telugu version with the Danish and German

translations.

3.4.6 As referred to above, early in the year 1874,

the Canadian Baptist Mission came to Kakinada and opened a

station, which was problematic to the Lutheran Mission at

Rajahmundry, as they resorted to questionable methods of

competition and rivalry with the latter. Rev.Schmidt

reported, that he asked a Baptist missionary, "Whether we

could and should agree that neither would interfere with

other's work, but he did not like to promise to take none

93
of our Christians. 111 They used to tell the Lutheran

converts that they were not true Christians and were not
properly baptized.113 He noted that, "our Baptist

neighbours have lots of money. They almost buy our

people; and I am sorry to say, many cannot resist the

temptation. A teacher whom we paid Rs.7' a month, but

whom we excommunicated on account of adultery, they

employed, paying him Rs.20, almost three times as much.

Now they have five or six missionary families in our

field, one living at Samalkot. I cannot accept it as a

comfort when Baptist tells me that people taken by them

are still the fruits of our work or that, when the Lord

will come in Judgement, He will give us not to them the

crowns for those victories.”*13

3.4.7 As such, the Lutheran Missionaries of the

Rajahmundry field had to evolve some novel schemes to

attract the people and to keep them with the Church.

Rev.Schmidt had contemplated and also accomplished in

1876,114 a scheme of securing some land at Velpuru to be

cultivated by Christian converts and to be paid back of

its price in three or four years. He argued that the

Church would emerge economically self-sufficient by this

step and the converts will have a piece of land of their

own. It would attract people to take Christianity and to

94
remain with the Church, contributing some amount for the

Church and to remain with it. Another strategy, that he

adopted in the same year,115 was building a house-boat,

with his own effort, called "Dove of Peace", by means of

which he toured the villages on the banks of the river

Godavari and its tributaries and branches, where he

preached the Gospel.*1®

3.4.8 Rev.Schmidt and Rev.Poulsen worked together for

over seven years during which period the field expanded

considerably, despite the difficulties and disabilities.

Along with the strategies to withstand the Baptist

competition, mentioned above, they planned for more

progress and better operations, that the field might be

parted between them. It was affected in the year 1876,

with Dr.Schmidt, helped by N.Paulus as his catachist, took

charge of Rajahmundry, Dhavalesvaram, while the southern

part of the field was taken by Rev.Poulsen, supported by

T.Joseph as his catachist. The latter had also took up

the supervision of the Boy's School at Rajahmundry and the

work in villages of Muramanda, Jegurupadu, Dulla,

Amalapuram, Samalkot, Jaggampeta, Gokavaram and Korukonda.

3.4.9 It has been mentioned above that the Missionary

Societies in USA found it increasingly difficult to send

95
foreign missionaries to the fields in Andhra country and

recommended the preparation and ordination of native

Christians as ministers. A step in that direction was

taken on the Christmas day in the year 1878,117 when Tota

Joseph and Nelaprolu Paulus were ordained. In the same

year, Rev.Schmidt got the old mission house, constructed

by Valett in 1845, repaired and converted into a Church,

with financial support from Danish Church Societies and

1 1 Q
some individual donors.

3.4.10 Seven years after the arrival of Rev.Schmidt,

the General Council could send a few more missionaries to

Rajahmundry to assist those on the field. He was

R.Augustus B.CarIson, a Sweedish immigrant to USA, who was

educated at Philadelphia Theological Seminary, and was

sent to India by Sweedish Augustana Synod. He started in

New York on June 26, 1878 and reached Madras on January

14, 1879.Eight days later he arrived at Kakinada and

proceeded to Rajahmundry. He attended to the English

Services in St.Paul’s Church at Rajahmundry and used to

conduct Bible classes at Rajahmundry and Dhavalesvaram.

3.4.11 The Rajahmundry Mission Conference was formally

organized on February 3, 1879, with Dr.Schmidt as

President and Poulsen as Treasurer. Pastor Joseph was

96
stationed at Jegurupadu in. the East Godavari field and

Pastor Paulus at Velpuru in the West Godavari field. The

Statistics for the year show that 336 Christians out of

whom 171 Communicants were on the field. The Board in

America could increase its financial assistance slightly,

sent $ 2,651 in 1875 but $ 5,525 in 1879.120 It enabled

the Mission to take up some additional activities such as,

opening of a separate Boarding School for girls in June

1881, to start zenana work in August and construction of a

girls school, for caste Hindus in January, 1882. Besides

there was evangelical record of 124 cases of Baptism in

the year 1880 alone.121

3.4.12 Pastor Paulus had charge of the three large

taluks of Tanuku, Narasapur and Bhimavaram, where he

carried on the evangelical work undaunted by local

persecutions. A group of Hindu youth organized under the

name "Rama Dandu", which threatened the life of Pastor

Paulus and his workers. One such an occasion, his house

was burnt down.122 When he took charge of the parish in

1879, there were only six villages with 96 Christians,

whereas by the year 1890, there was a total of 1,580

Christians in 55 villages, which was estimated at half the

strength of the Christian population on the Rajahmundry

field. He left as his legacy to the Lutheran Church a

97
strong growing Christian community of 2,580 Christians in
65 villages, at the time of his death on May 25, 1897.122

3.4.13 Pastor Joseph worked faithfully and baptized 57

persons in the year 1883, in a very difficult area, but

his health failed thereafter. He lost his eye-sight, but

continued his preaching and evangelism till his death on

March 26, 1899, having preached even the Sunday before.124

3.4.14 The arrival of Rev.Carlson and Rev.Artman

considerably eased the extertion of Rev.Schmidt. The

former was specially interested in education and took up

the task of streamlining it, while the latter rook up

evangelical work. Rev.Carlson visited Machilipatnam on

March 18, 1899, where the CMS was running Boarding Schools

for training the native workers and studied their pattern

of management. Subsequently he visited Visakhapatnam for

the same purpose, where the London Missionary society was

maintaining such schools. On his return he took charge of

the Mission. School at St.Paul's Church, Rajahmundry, but

shortly he passed away on March 29, 1882. His death was a

great blow to the educational development of the
IOC
Rajahmundry field.

98
3.4.15 Rev.Horace G.Artman, who came to Kakinada on

October 17, 1880 arrived at Rajahmundry in a few days and

opened a separate Boarding School for girls in June 1881

as mentioned above. On August 1, 1881 the zenana work

began at Rajahmundry, when the District Munsif, one

Mr. Narasimham invited Mrs.Schmidt and Mrs.Artman, to his

home to teach his wife and daughter.126 The work for

caste women was conducted on two after-noons in a week.

On 21, they took charge of a Sunday School for Eurasian

children which soon grew to have 60 students with 7

teachers.

3.4.16 The year 1881 signified a mile-stone in

producing the sacred literature of Church hymnal book in

Telugu, which was a translation of the General Council's

Church book.127 It contained the Communion Service, the

Evening Services, the Litany, Tables of Gospels and

Epistes, Orders for Baptism, Confirmation, Marriage and

Burial.

3.4.17 The sudden death of Rev.Carlson was compensated

by the arrival of Franklin S.Dietrich, who was a good

educationist and took charge of the work on the field. He

left New York on October 16 , 1882 and arrived at

Rajahmundry on June 2, 1883. He found the education in

99
the Mission activity was extremely unsatisfactory and
lOQ
entrusted its radical reform to Rev-William Groenning. ^

3.4.18 In March 1882, Rev.E.Pohl and Rev.H.Bothmann,

who belonged to the Schleswig-Holstein Missionary Society

of Germany, arrived at Rajahmundry. They planned to

locate their work in Bastar, a Native State north-west of

Rajahmundry beyond the Bison-Hills, for which they started

on a survey of the field. Rev. Schmidt and Artman and

Mr.Heelis, a missionary of Plymouth Brethern of Narsapur

accompanied them. They travelled through jungles along

the upstream of the river Godavari and its tributaries in

Bastar, the region afflicted by diseases natural of the

primeval forests. They had severe hardships in the

travel, which richly paid them in the establishment of a

Schleswig-Holstein Mission in the Jeypore country.129 But

Rev.Artman caught a severe disease in the travel, which in

the form of a fever, claimed his life on September 18,

1884. Mrs. Artman stayed for some more time and continued

the zenana work and the management of Girl’s School.

General Council paid her half the amount that was paid to

Rev.Artman, as her salary, thus she was the first woman

missionary on salary, of the General Council on the field
of Rajahmundry.130

100
3.4.20 Rev.Frederick James Mc.Cready, a Eurasian, whom
Rev.Artman had sent to USA to prepare for the holy
ministry, came back to Rajahmundry, a month after the
latter's death. He was ordained and appointed as in­
charge of Tallapudi field, where the construction of a
mission-house was going on. He completed it and occupied
as the resident missionary at the place. By the year
1887, he reported conversion of 4 Malas and 21 Madigas.131

The Mala conversions encouraged the Madigas to join in

Christianity, the reason behind, being their relative
social positions. ^

3.4.21 Rev.Schmidt went on furlough on March 27, 1885,

to USA, and came back on August 9, 1885. During his stay
in his homeland he pleaded for the increased assistance,
with the General Council and suggested to send Rev.William
Groenning, to Rajahmundry field. Rev.William Groenning
was a son of Rev.Charles William Groenning,133 was born at
Guntur, when the latter was in-charge of the field. He
arrived at Rajahmundry on December 6, 1885 and took charge
of education work. Rev.Dietrich transferred the Girls
Schools of Caste Hindus and Muslims at Rajahmundry to his
management and reform. Rev.Groenning introduced some
innovations in the scheme of education134 and insisted
that Muslim girls should attend the school, without their

101
burkha. It evoked a great resentment among the Muslim

Community and the school was eventually closed, because

the girls were withdrawn by their parents.13^ William

Groenning sent a few youngmen to USA to get trained as

devoted teachers, who could also manage the schools and

help the mission in its progress. But it was very sad

that he died suddenly on July 9, 1 899 , following

Rev.Dietrich, who passed away on June 11.

3.4.22 Soon after his arrival, Rev.Schmidt planned for

the Golden Jubliee Celebrations of the Mission-Field of

Rajahmundry136 in a befitting manner. A three day thanks­

giving was held in November at which many sister missions

were represented.137 Dr.Schmidt presented on the occasion

a tract of 30 acres of land to the mission, just north of

Rajahmundry, purchased by him, where the present day

missionary institutions of "Luthergiri," were constructed.

3.4.23 Financial condition of the Foreign Missions

Committee was bad about the second half of the decade and
even the salaries were not paid promptly during the period

1886 and 1890. As a result the progress of the mission

was drastically slowed down. Rev.Schmidt reported,138

that for the first three months of the year 1886, he was

able to pay only a few mission agents. Rev.N.Paulus and

102
others lost much time by coming to Rajahmundry and waiting
for money. P.V.Ratnam, the headmaster of the caste Hindu
Girl's High School, thought it best to resign and seek
Government employment. Yet, as a silver line on the black
cloud, the Rajahmundry field got a machine press,
installed on February 5, 1886. It was a gift of the
Junior Missionary Society of Holy Trinity Church.139 It
made easy the literature, tracts and other publicity
material printed for distribution, by which the evangelism
became economical and fast. Ostensibly, Rev.Schmidt
worked for the gift and its despatch, when he was on
furlough during 1883-85.

3.4.24 Despite some economic stringency for sometime,

the period between 1880-90 witnessed a remarkable progress
and expansion, with the completion of the construction of
a number of Churches and a good record of conversions.
The building of St.Peter’s Church at Tallapudi was carried
on during 1888-92,-140 the Transfiguration Church at
Bhimavaram was constructed during 1894-95 and the
evangelical tours into the interior of Agency Area near
Addatigala was started in 1893.141 An outstation was
opened at Tadepalligudem in 1896, where a Chapel and
mission-bungalow were constructed. There were only about
twenty congregations in 1879, consisting of 334

103
Christians. But by the year 1890 the figure rose to 100

congregations, and the Christian community had gone upto

2,433. In 1879 the missionary staff was 15, which had

increased to 62.142

3.5. Progress of the Field During 1900-20

3.5.1 From the year 1900, the Rajahmundry field began

to grow as it was the case also with the Guntur field.

The field, as described in the foregoing pages, was

primarily the work of Rev.Schmidt, who managed for about

four decades and extended the work by a number of out-

stations. The foundations began to bear the resulting

progress during the first two decades of the present

1 43
century.

3.5.2 Rev.Dr.J.H.Harpster came to serve the

Rajahmundry field after his assignment at Guntur was

completed. During his stay in the period he rendered a

great service by reconstructing the organization of the

mission and laid down new regulations. He was the

Chairman of the Executive of the Mission, while being the

Missionary-in-charge of the Bhimavaram and the
Rajahmundry-Korukonda fields.144 He systematized the work

of the out-stations, by raising them into mission-fields.

Thus Rev.H.E. Issacson, who arrived in 1893 was appointed

104
as in-charge of the Peddapuram-Samalkot fields, where he

served till 1914. Rev.Rudolph F.Arps served as in-charge

of the Dhavalesvaram field, and he continued there till

1915. Dr.E.Edman, was serving Tallapudi field since 1890

continued there till 1903. Rev.E.Neudoerffer, who came in

1900 took charge of the Tadepal 1 igudem field, where he

continued till 1947.145 Rev.Harpster opened Dispora work

in Rangoon in 1906, after a personal visit to that city.

3.5.3 The All-India Lutheran Conference which met at

Rajahmundry from December 31, 1911 to January 4, 1912 was

a historic occasion. The Leipsic, Sweedish and Danish

Lutheran Missions working in the Tamil country, the Guntur

Mission and the missions working on the Telugu-Oriya

areas, such as the Hermnsburg, the Schleswig-Hostein

missions, the Gossner Mission in Ranchi, etc., send their

representatives.146 It was decided in the Conference that

the Lutheran Church-Missions in India should extend mutual

co-operation. Accordingly, steps were taken to create an

All-India Lutheran Federation and to establish a United

Lutheran Theological Seminary in Madras.

3.5.4 But the difficult years of the First World War,

between 1914-18 affected the work of the mission

adversely. In most of the mission fields, there were no

105
sufficient men, nor money and the work was retarded. Even

some of the missionaries on furlough could not return to

their fields to continue the work. As such, new

missionaries could net be sent during the years 1915-19.

3.5.5 The year 1920 happened to be the Diamond Jubilee

Year of the Rajahmundry field. As such, the Rajahmundry

Synod came to be organized on January 1, 1920, so as to

organize the Celebrations. The Celebrations took place

from January 11 to 13, and the first batch of six men, who

were the products of the Seminary of Luthergiri were

ordained, on the day of the emergence of Rajahmundry

Synod, January 1, 1920.*^

3.5.6 The Rajahmundry field had a steady but

encouraging growth from 6,159 Christians in 1900 to 16,953

in 1910. The figure further rose to 28,600 in 1920. The

number of Communicants was 3,000 in 1900 and it rose to

9,926 in 1910, which had gone up to 24,706 in 1915.148

3.6. Foundation of the AELC

3.6.1 With the third decade of the present century a
movement initiated itself towards integration, which

ensured better co-operation and resource-mobilization for

the evangelical movement all over the world. The movement

106
started in USA., the land of Home Churches of most of the
Lutheran missions that spread over different countries on
different continents. On November 15, 1919, three
important Missionary Societies in USA, which were carrying
on evangelical activities on foreign fields came together
and formed into a single Church. The General Synod, which
was founded in 1821, the General Council, which came into
existence in 1867, and the United Synod of the South,
which was founded in 1864,had thus merged into the
single Church, called THE UNITED LUTHERAN CHURCH IN
AMERICA (ULCA).

The merger brought about far-reaching changes in the

constitution and function of the Lutheran Churches and
mission-fields, spread over a number of countries in
Africa, South America and Asia. The formulation of ULCA
brought all these Lutheran evangelical bodies under its
management and control. In India, it meant the
unification of the Guntur and Rajahmundry missions into
one, which were functioning separately from 1869.*^

3.6.2 Even before the merger of the General Bodies in

America and the consequent emergence of the United
Lutheran Church, the Guntur and Rajahmundry missions
maintained a very close relationship with each other.

107
Beginning in 1895,151 the two Lutheran Missions of the

Telugu country were holding joint conferences biennially.

From 1905, the monthly journal, "The Gospel Witness," was

started, again, as a joint venture.45^ All India Lutheran

Conference was organized at Guntur in 1908, which was

attended by all Lutheran Missions and Churches in the

country.455 The Conference recognized the journal as its

official organ. This Organization of the Lutheran

Missions and Churches took the form of THE FEDERATION OF

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN CHURCHES IN INDIA, in 1926.154 Co­

operation between the Missions of Rajahmundry and Guntur

is illustrated further by their common use of a number of

books of religious instruction, courses of study and

examination for Indian workers in the Theological Schools,

run by both missions. Girls from Rajahmundry used to be

sent to the Stall Girls High School at Guntur. There was

interchange of missionaries, as in the case of

Rev.Dr.Haspster and Rev.Dr.Muller, to cite as examples.45*5

3.6.3 In the year 1919 conferences between the

Rajahmundry and Guntur missions were held several times

from the month of May to October. Crucial meetings took

place in the month of August, from 26th to 28th and in the

month of October 20th to 22nd.455 The conferences

discussed comprehensively the aspects of the missions and

108
management of the two synods, and their clubbing into a

Church. Obviously it was in the footsteps of the changes

that were taking place in their Home Societies in USA. A

constitution was framed for the United Lutheran Church

Mission in India in the month of March 1920.A3/ The

constitution was prepared anticipating the approval of the

Home Board. The Board approved it and constituted the

Council of the India Mission of the ULCA; which solomnised

the merger of the two fields which were working separately

since 1869.150 The Constitution was formally adopted and

the actual merger took place in Rajahmundry on October 20,

1920.-1®0 Rev. Dr.E.Meudoerffer was chosen as the first

President of the New Mission Council.1®0 The Council was

registered under the Indian Companies Act VII of 1913, on

July 7, 1924.161

3.6.4 However, the two synods, Guntur and Rajahmundry,

continued to function and maintained somewhat minor

differences that persisted, till 1926. The differences

were in the matters of Code of Conduct of workers, their

scales and salaries. The matter of church discipline,

uniformity in the practices with regard to ordination of

pastors and the reception of inquiries into the Church,

were somewhat stronger differences. The differences were

sorted out, since the ordained missionaries and pastors

109
were looking forward for a united Synod of Guntur and
Rajahmundry.

3.6.5 The Board of Foreign Missions of the ULCA was

very much interested in the matter of constituting the two
Synods into a single Synod. Consequently upon their
recommendation to the Church Convention in Richmond,
Virginia, in 1926, the following action was passed:*®2

3.6.6 "That the United Lutheran Church in America

rejoices to learn that Guntur and Rajahmundry Synods are
uniting to form a General Church Body in the Andhra
country of India."

3.6.7 "That the proposed Constitution and Bye-Laws of

the Lutheran Church in Andhra country, as submitted be
approved with a few minor changes, suggested by the
Board."

3.6.8 "That this Church in India be recognized and

enrolled as an associate Synod of the United Lutheran
Church in America."

3.6.9 "That this associate Synod be entitled to two

delegates, who shall have a seat and voice in the
Conventions of the United Lutheran Church in America."

110
3.7 Organisation of the Andhra Evangelical Lutheran

Church: 1927

3.7.1 The two Synods of Guntur and Rajahmundry were

brought together by a meeting of their representatives, to

discuss on the modalities of their unification, especially

by ironing out their minor variations and to bring about

unity and of aims and activities for better co-ordination

by means of suitable administration. The first

preliminary meeting was arranged by a special committee of

the Council of Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church, on

April 19 and 20 of 1927. Rajahmundry Synod sent their

delegation led by Rev. T.A.Holmer and the delegates of

Guntur Synod were led by Rev. G.R.Haff. Rev. L.A.Gotwald,

was the Chairman of the Special Committee. The committee

was arranged in the St. Mathew's Lutheran Church at

Guntur, attended in all by 46 delegates and three co­

opted members. The meeting formalized the merger and

formation of the AELC to come into effect from January 1,

1928.Rev. Dr. S.C.Burger of Guntur was elected as

President of the AELC and the Church was registered under

the Societies Act of 1360, on April 21, 1932.

3.7.2 It was decided in the meeting that the Church

would constitute some specialized departments to supervise

different aspects of missionary work, such as a) Bible

111
Training Schools for men and women; b) maintenance of

education, the elementary schools for boys and girls; c)

construction of churches, schools, houses for missionaries

and charitable institutions such as choultries, etc., d)

conducting annual examinations for missionary workers, in

the Theological schools; e) publication of books and

journals; and f) co-ordination with other churches in the

similar activities.00

3.7.3 After an years experience, in the year 1936, the

Church decided to have a model constitution, which would

be applicable to all parishes, replacing those that each

congregation had individually framed in the past. It had

formulated five highpower executive bodies, for five

regions of the entire field, called Conferences, whose

members were to be elected by the congregations.157 Each

Conference would consist of 25 members and was in-charge

of various aspects of the mission, enumerated above.

While the Church had a Central Executive, called the Board

of Management, to co-ordinate the work of the Conferences,

they were made responsible for the activity within their

territorial jurisdiction.

3.7.4 The Church would hold annual convention, in

which the office-bearers and the Members of the Board of

112
Management were to be elected by the delegates of the

regional Conferences and other co-opted members. It was

attended by the office-bearers, the Members of the Board

of Management and 250 delegates of the five regional

conferences, besides a few co-opted members. It would

review the work in the past year and plan the work for the

ensuing year and elect the office-bearers and the Members

of the Board of Management. However, it was felt out of

experience that an annual Convention with 250 delegates

would be too unwieldy and the system of election also

proved as a cause of more anxiety than abatement. Hence,

the annual Convention was replaced by Biennial and the

size of the Convention was reduced to 85 from 250. Its

work was mostly delegated to the Conferences of five

Synods, formulated in the Convention in the year 1936, in

the following manner.

3.7.5 1. The East Godavari Synod, consisting of

Yeleswaram, Samalkot, Peddapuram, Korukonda,
Rajahmundry town, Rajahmundry Home-Field and
Dhavalesvaram Charges.

2. West Godavari Synod, consisting of Kovvuru-

Polavaram, Tanuku, Narsapur and Bhimavaram
Charges.

113
 3. East Guntur Synod, consisting of Tenali,
Repalle and Chirala Charges.

4. The Central Guntur Synod, consisting of the

Guntur town, Guntur taluk and Sattenapalli
Charges.

5. West Guntur Synod, consisting of

Narasaraapeta, Palanadu, Markapur-Cumbum and
Guntur Heme-Field Charges.

3.7.6 The Church would co-ordinate the work of the

Synods, direct the general merciful work, inter-church

activities and dispora work and supervise the Boards of

the Home Mission. It could constitute the Synods, or make

alteration in their jurisdiction, territorially as well as

functionally.

3.7.7 It was a matter of pride that the Church

recorded a rapid progress in the first decade, from 1921

to 1930. There was an all-time record of 77 missionaries

having been added to the staff to carry on its mission.

The American subsidy for the activity also touched the

figure of $ 221,896, as there was never in the past. The

number of naive Christians increased in occupying several

positions in the Church, in its evangelical educational

and medical works.170 Total number of baptized Indians

rose up from 87,853 in 1920, to 149,747 by the end of the

114
year 1930. Total number of congregations was 89 in 1920
and 95 in 1930.171

3.8 Further Progress of AELC: 1930 to 1950

3.8.1 The history of the AELC in the decade of 1930

went off smoothly, uneventful and little effected by the

political confusion all over the world, which led to the

out-break of the Second World War. Within the country, it

was the time of Freedom Movement at its climax. However,

none of these developments had apparently any effect on

the function and progress of the Church. Yet, the impact

of National Movement in India seems to have convinced the

Church authorities for a greater degree of Indianization

of its organization was necessary.*7^ They wanted a

greater degree of independence in decision-making and in

follow-up action and asked for devolution of more work of

the Church to Indian hands.*7^

3.8.2 The Convention of the AELC in the year 1940 met

under the Presidentship of Dr. J.Russel Fink, at

Bhimavaram and made some significant resolutions for the

reorganization of the Church. They were conveyed to the

Mission Council, requesting to delegate a large sphere of

its work to the Church. In the General Statement prepared

by the Joint Committee on Appraisal of Work and Policies,

115
it was expressed. "This proposed reorganization of the
work of the Mission Council and the Church will make all
our work more truly Church-centric, avoid unnecessary
duplication, increase efficiency and prevent the splitting
of our whole work, which is essentially a unit.*^

3.8.3 During the Biennium of 1940-42, the Executive of

the AELC, examined the scheme of reforms and appointed a
Committee, which may be called Constitutional Advisory
Committee, consisting of the Members of the Executive
Committee and a few more senior missionaries for a more
in-depth study of the recommendations. The Committee sat
for two days in the month of December 1941 and presented
its Report. The Committee had, apparently, advised for a
Special Convention for the approval of their
recommendations and finalization of the Constitution,
which met in the year 1943. It had finalized the
Constitution based on the recommendations of the Joint
Appraisal Committee and the Constitutional Advisory
Committee, which came into effect in 1944. According to
the new Constitution, for the first time in the history of
AELC an Indian Christian became the President. He was Dr.
E.Prakasam, who held the position till 1950, having been
successively elected for three times.

116
3.8.4 The salient features of the Constitution may be
summed up as given below:

The Constitution provided for the High-Power

Executive Council as the highest organ of the Church
administration. It was to consist of 34 Members, of them
a half were to be Indian and the remaining from the
foreign missionaries. It was empowered to assign work to
missionaries, which was hitherto was the prerogative of
1 7£
the Mission Council in USA.

3.8.5 The Constitution provided for a biennial

Convention of the Church, which determines the General
Policy, reviews the state of Convention. Its membership
was increased from 85 to 130 delegates.m

3.8.6 The Constitution provided for the creation of

eleven Boards to administer the various areas of Church
responsibilities. They were: 1} the Board of Finance, 2)
the Board of Inter-Synodical Relations, 3) the Board of
Evangelism and Missions, 4) the Board of Theological
Education, 5) the Board for the Management of Andhra
Christian College, 6) the Board of Secondary Education, 7)
the Board of Elementary Education, 8) the Board of
Publication, 9) the Board of Medical Work, 10) the Board

117
of Industrial Work and 11) the Board for the Management of

Visrantipuram Sanitorium. At the meeting of the

Mission Council in October, 1944, all the institutions of

the Mission, educational, medical, etc., were formally

transferred to the AELC.179

3.8.7 In the year 1942, the Guntur Mission-field of

the Church had completed its hundredth year. The

Centenary Celebration took place befittingly on July 31,

1942. Rev.L.A.Gotwald, served as the Director of the

Centennial Celebrations. In the year 1945, similar

celebrations took place at Rajahmundry, in which year the

1 an
field completed its hundredth year.

3.8.8 In the year 1930, the total baptized members

were 149,747 and in 1950 , the number increased to

2,39,887.181

3.9. Progress of the Church : Mission Fields

3.9.1 The above mentioned account makes it clear the

progress of the Missionary activity since 1842, as an

institution, but its progress in terms of territorial

extent is necessary, in order to have vivid understanding.

The missionaries starting from Fr.Heyer undertook wide

tours over extensive areas, covering villages, where the

118
Gospel was preached before gatherings. Their efforts

yielded results in the form of out-stations of the

mission, which in course of time developed into separate

mission-fields. A brief survey of the origin and progress

of the mission-fields is necessary.

3.9.1.1. Guntur

The Lutheran Evangelical activity of the American

missionaries in coastal Andhradesa started from Guntur,

with a mission-station founded by Fr.Heyer, on July 31,

1842. He secured a site, now called Gunn Compound, where

he built the mission-house, which was dedicated on June

10, 1844. Rev.Walter Gunn and Rev.Dr.Unangst nursed the

field in its infant states and subsequently

Rev.Dr.J.H.Harpster, Rev.Dr.L.L.Uhl brought up the mission

to spectacular progress, with substantial results.

Rev.Gunn and Rev.Adam Rowe laid down their lives in their

mission, in the middle.

3.9.1.1.2 Among others Rev. Allen O.Becker, Rev.

Cammaday, Rev. Mc.Cauley, Rev. H.E.Dickey, Rev. Harry

Goedeke, Rev.M.L. Dolbeer, Rev.L.A. Gotwald, Rev.

C.H.Swavely, Rev. J.R.Fink were incharge of the mission

for different periods of their stay in the country, in the

midst of their multifarious activities. Their efforts

119
made the progress of the mission possible in every aspect.

In the year 1941, the field was divided into East and

West, the eastern part was placed under Rev.C.R.Gopal, who

was the first Indian pastor to work on the field, and the

second part was placed under Rev.G.S.Haaf, who was

carrying on the agricultural work on Lam Farm, for the

Mission.182

3.9.1.1.3 The following table presents the course of

progress in terms of number of baptism of persons from

time to time.

Year/s No. of Missionaries on the Field No. of

Baptisms congregations

1842-1880 273 Revs. Walter Gunn, C.W. 25

Groenning, W.E.Snyder,
Dr. E.Unangst, Dr.Harpster

1880-1890 1125 Rev. Adam Rowe, Charles 40

Schnure and Dr. Unangst

1890-1901 3392 Rev. Allen 0.Becker

1901-1902 4400 Rev. Allen 0.Becker

1910 5569 Rev. Dr. Me Caulay 69

1911 5603 Rev. Dr. Me Caulay 71
1912 5806 Rev. Dr. Me Caulay 71

1913 6094 Rev. H.R.Spangler 73

1914 6260 Rev. H.R.Spangler 74
1917 6841 Rev. H.R.Spangler 82

1918 6928 Rev. H.D. Dicky 93

1919 7088 Rev. H.D. Dicky 90
1920 7124 Rev. H.D. Dicky 89

120
,Year/s No. of Missionaries on the Field No. of
Baptisms congregations

1921 7293 Rev. Harry Goedeka 79

1922 7514 Rev. Harry Goedeka 82
1923 8895 Rev. Harry Goedeka 112
1924 9158 Rev. Harry Goedeka 114
1925 9435 Rev. M.L.Dolbeer 93
1926 10476 Rev. M.L.Dolbeer 105
1927 11069 Rev. L.A.Gotwald 102

1928 11848 Rev. C.H.Swavely 104

1929 12156 Rev. C.H.Swavely 104
1930 12540 Rev. J.R.Fink 111
1931 12795 Rev. E.G.Wood 117
1932 13087 Rev. E.G.Wood 120
1933 13230 Rev. E.G.Wood 120
1934 13761 Rev. E.G.Wood 124
1935 13693 Rev. E.G.Wood 123

1936 13868 Rev. L.W.Slifer 126

1937 14195 Rev. L.W.Slifer 124
1938 14318 Rev. L.W.Slifer 126
1939 14509 Rev. L.W.Slifer 127
1940 14869 Rev. L.W.Slifer 126

1941 14897 Rev. L.W.Slifer, and 134

Rev. R.L.Cunningham

1945 15222 Rev. G.S.Haff 140

3.9.1.2. Palnadu

3.9.1.2.1 The Evangelical work on Palnadu field,

leading to a mission station, ultimately, was initiated by

Fr.Heyer in the year 1844. He toured over the area,

accompanied by Rev.Louis, P.Menno Valett and made a mark

121
on the people. Subsequently, Rev.Walter Gunn toured over

the area, together with Rev.Heise and Rev.Beer of

Narasapur in the year 1848. The next year Fr.Heyer

undertook his second tour over the area, lasting about six

weeks and made some conversions. On the advice of Mr.J.H.

Stokes, the District Collector and with his help, Fr.Heyer

opened a mission-station at Gurajala in the year 1849.

3.9.1.2.2 Rev.Groenning supervised the field during

the years 1853-63, with the help of Rev.W.E.Snyder. For

only an year he stayed at Gurazala and he left the station

and the country in 1863. From the year, till Rev.J.H.

Harpster opened a station at Dachepalli in 1872, there was

no resident missionary on the field. Rev.Harpster stayed

there till the year 1890 and managed with the help of

Rev.R.E. Cully and Rev.B.John. From 1871-74, Harpster was

alone on the field. Rev.George Albrecht took charge in

1894 and moved the mission-station to Rentachintala and

thereon it became the permanent mission-station of

Palnadu. Rev.R.M. Dunkelberger managed the field from

1914 to 1926 and J.H. Roy Strock was on the field during
1918-1919, Rev.Rupley was in-charge between 1927-28,

Rev.Harry Goedeka during 1928-32 and Rev.Peery during

1936-38.

122
3.9.1.2.3 At the time of reorganization in 1945, the

Palnadu field had 16,324 Christians. The field was

divided into three Conferences, namely Durgi, Gurazala and

Piduguralla.

3.9.1.2.4 The following table gives a glimpse of the

progress of the field in terms of cases of baptism, from

time to time.

Year No.of cases Name of the Missionary

of Baptism

1849 39 Rev. J.C.F.Heyer

1850 164 Rev. J.C.F.Heyer
1851 169 Rev. J.C.F.Heyer
1852 234 Rev. J.C.F.Heyer

1853 246 Rev. Heyer and Rev.Groenning

1854 258 Rev. Groenning

1855 259 Rev. Groenning
1856 266 Rev. Groenning
1857 277 Rev. Gorenning

1859 355 Rev. Groenning & Rev.Snyder

1860 363 Rev. E.Unangst

1861 443 Rev. E.Unangst

1862 444 Rev. C.W.Groenning

1864 450 Rev. E.Unangst

1866 472 Rev. E.Unangst
1867 501 Rev. E.Unangst
1868 526 Rev. E.Unangst
1869 646 Rev. E.Unangst
1870 1217 Rev. E.Unangst

123
Year No.of cases Name of the Missionary
of Baptism

1872 1464 Rev. John H.Harpster

1873 2062 Rev. John H.Harpster
1874 2159 Rev. John H.Harpster
1875 2451 Rev. John H.Harpster
1876 2609 Rev. B.John
1877 2759 Rev. B.John
1878 3029 Rev. B.John
1879 3171 Rev. B.John
1880 3431 Rev. B.John
1890 4903 Rev. B.John

1902 6805 Rev. Dr.Albrecht

1914 9142 Rev. Dr.Albrecht
1915 9475 Rev. R.M.Dunkelberger
1916 9794 Rev. R.M.Dunkelberger
1917 10066 Rev. R.M.Dunkelberger
1918 10143 Rev. R.M.Dunkelberger
1919 10180 Rev. J.R.Strock
1921 11290 Rev. Dr.Dunkelberger
1923 11429 Rev. Dr.Dunkelberger
1924 11924 Rev. Dr.Dunkelberger
1925 12095 Rev. Dr.Dunkelberger
1926 12267 Rev. Dr.Dunkelberger
1927 12620 Rev. J.Russel Fink
1928 12826 Rev. G.A.Rupley
1929 13054 Rev. Harry Goedeke
1930 13460 Rev. Harry Goedeke
1931 14768 Rev. Harry Goedeke
1932 14995 Rev. Harry Goedeke
1933 15315 Rev. J.R.Fink
1934 15455 Rev. J.R.Fink
1935 15818 Rev. J.R.Fink
1936 15819 Rev. J.R.Fink

124
Year No.of cases Name of the Missionary
of Baptism

1937 15806 Rev. J.C.Perry

1938 16082 Rev. J.C.Perry

1939 16433 Rev. J.R.Fink

1940 16479 Rev. J.R.Fink
1941 16530 Rev. J.R.Fink
1945 16324 Rev. J.R.Fink

3.9.1.3. Narasaraopet - Vinukonda Field

3.9.1.3.1 The Narasaraopet-Vinukonda field was

started in the course of out-station work of the Guntur

field. Rev.E.Unangsts managed the mission work of the

field while he was in-charge of Guntur and Palnadu fields

in the years 1866 to 1870, which extended as far south as

Cumbum and Markapur. Rev.John Nicholas was assigned to

work at Narasaraopet, in 1886, but he passed away in the

December of the year. The work did not progress

significantly, eventhough a congregation in the village of

Kammavaripalem in the year 1885 and another in the village

called Pichichikalapalem in Vinukonda taluk in the year

1889, were reported to have been functioning.

3.9.1.3.2 In 1910, the Guntur Conference decided to

divide the Narasaraopet-Cumbum field into three parts.

The first part consisting of Narasaraopet, Vinukonda,

125
Ongole, Darsi taluks, was placed under the charge of
Rev.M.E. Thomas. The second division consisting of
Markapur, Cumbum and a small part of Podili Taluk, was
placed under, Rev.Dr.Mu 11er. The third division
consisting of Kanigiri and some parts of Podili were
placed under the charge of Rev.Dr.Cannaday . When
Mr.M.E.Thomas went on furlough in 1916, the field was
supervised by the latter from Cumbum-Markapur field.

3.9.1.3.. 3 The Narasaraopet-Vinukonda field was

divided in 1945 into four conferences, Velpur,
Narasaraopet, Rompicherla and Vinukonda.

3.9.1.3.4 The following table provides a picture of

the field from time to time, in terms of the number of
cases of baptism.

Year Number of cases Number of

of Baptism Congregations

1915 175
1920 4,903 122
1926 11,475 130
1930 12,915 149
1934 13,889 154
1938 14,791 161
1940 13,915 159
1945 13,768 163

126
3.9.1.4. Tenali
3.9.1.4.1 The Tenali field was started as out-station

work of the Mission at Guntur, which was worked by a

native Christian couple, Simon and his wife, Elizabeth,

under the supervision of Rev.Gunn. Congregations were

started at Vemuru in 1873, at Tumuluru, Ipuru and Kolluru

in 1875, at Kuchipudi and Paparru in 1876, and at Chava-

vatipalem and Amartaluru in 1877. In the first tour,

Rev.L.L. Uhl accomplished a large number of conversions on

the field, when he was in-charge, during 1890-92.

3.9.1.4.2 In the year 1903 , Rev.S.C.Berger was

assigned in-charge of the Repalle-Tenali fields. He

purchased land for construction of mission-bungalow in

1904, but until 1912, it was not complete. Until that

time, he supervised the field for sometime from Guntur,

and for sometime from Chirala. In the year 1919 Repalle

was removed and Tenali became a separate field.

3.9.1.4.3 Rev.G.R.Haaf, who assumed charge of Tenali

in the year 1914 was the real architect of its progress.

He served the field for 14 years, till his retirement and

going to his native place. He proposed a mission-house at

Repalle, in fact, who contemplated the separation of the

two fields, Tenali and Repalle and planned for their

127
development independently. Even before the Board approved

his proposal and granted funds, he started work for the

mission-house at Repalle and purchased 15 acres of land.

In the year 1920, when Madras Government was contemplating

an economic policy for the upliftment of the depressed

classes, by distributing lands for cultivation through co­

operative Societies, Rev.Haaf secured about 22,000 acres

of land on the river-side, that belonged to the Tenali and

Repalle talukas.- He formed more than 200 Co-operative

Societies of the depressed classes and caused the

distribution of lands to the poor and downtrodden of those

communities. It needs no emphasis that it helped the

evangelism in a long way, as the phenomenal increase in

baptism in numbers in the decade of 1920-30 indicate.

Rev.Haaf was awarded the Kaiser-i-Hind Gold Medal for this

outstanding service to the people, who were economically

week and socially ostraicsed.183

3.9.1.4.4 Rev.Haaf was succeeded by Rev.Me.Caulay

from 1928-34, followed by Rev.R.M.Dunkel Berger, who

served the field for a long time, from 1935 to 39 and

1945-50.

3.9.1.4.5 In the year 1945 , Tenali field was

reorganized into four Conferences, as Tenali, Varahapuram,

Mandur and Attota, with a total of twelve parishes.

128
3.9.1.4.6 The following table provides a glance at the

rate of progress of the field, in terms of the - number of

baptized persons.

Year Total No. of Missionaries

Baptized perons on the Field

1855 4 Rev. Gorenning

1872 7 Rev. Unangst

1873 10 Rev. Unangst

1875 21 Rev. J.H.Harpster &

Rev. Unangst

1876 24 Rev. M. Nathaniel

1877 29 Rev. A.D.Rowe

1891 1170 Rev. L.L.Uhl

1901 2725 Rev. S.C.Berger

1911 8950 Rev. G.R.Haff

1921 10869 Rev. G.R.Haff

1926 16026 Rev. G.R.Haff

1931 18923 Rev. Victor Me Cauley

1936 21598 Rev. R.M.Dunkelberger

1941 24108 Rev. Victor Me Cauley
1950 28004 Rev. R.M.Dunkelberger

129
3.9.1.5. Bapatla
3.9.1.5.1 Bapatla was visited for the first time by
Rev.Walter Gunn on December 19th and 20th, 1848 and
initiated the missionary work, Rev. C.W.Groenning
supervised the field for sometime and Rev.Unangst used to
visit the field. Rev.L.L. Uhl was the first of the
missionaries to have achieved a significant progress, when
he was in-charge of Tenali, Bapatla, Repalle fields in the
period 1890-92. He made a good number of conversions and
started a new period of progress in the history of the
field. He established congregations in 20 villages. In
the year 1902, Rev.Harris took charge of the field and
continued the pace of progress started by Rev.Uhl. The
number of congregations increased in his time to 70. In
the year 1904, be completed the construction of the
mission bungalow, "Kinsinger Memorial Building" and in
January, 1918, Rev.M.E.Thomas constructed the St.Mark's
Church. Under the charge of Rev.Thomas, the Bapatla-
Chirala fields rose up to first place in the number of
conversions, in the year 1925, from fifth place in 1918.

3.9.1.5.2 From the year 1925 to 1937, Rev.Gotwald

managed the field, except for the periods of his furlough,
during 1929-30 and 1937-38. Revs.Drs.Me.Cau1ey and
Dunkelberger supervised the field in the first and

130
Rev.Wood in the second periods of his furlough. Rev.Wood

served upto 1944 and succeeded by Rev.J.C.Peery from 1944-

46.

3.9.1.5.3 The following statement provides the

glimpses of progress of the field, in terms of number of

conversions.

Year No.of Total Missionaries

Conversions on the Field

1861 2 Rev. C.W.Groenning

1862 3 Rev. Unangst

1863 5 Rev. Unangst

1864 8 Rev. Unangst

1865 9 Rev. Unangst

1866 13 Rev. Unangst

1867-72 139

1873 172

1901 1836

1910 4605

194.5 24108

131
3.9.1.6. Repalle

3.9.1.6.1 The mission work on the field of Repalle

was started together with that of Tenali around 1896.

From 1896-1911, the field was supervised by Rev.S.C.Berger

and Rev.J.H.Harris. In the year 1912, when Rev.G.R.Haaf

took charge as resident missionary at Tenali, he took

special interest on Repalle to develop as an independent

station and laid foundations for its progress. He

purchased 15 acres of land for the construction of

mission-house at Repalle, even before the Board approved

his plans and releasing funds. In the year 1919, Tenali

was separated and Repalle was assigned as a separate field

to the charge of Rev.H.E.Dickey, who was the first

resident missionary on the field. On his demise on

October 2, 1926, Rev.L.W.SIijer took charge and served

till 1931, followed by Rev.L.E.Irschick between 1932-39,

Rev.J.C.Perry from 1940-46 and each of them recorded

steady progress of the field.

Year No. of Missionaries on the Field

Conversions

1914 3506
1924 7159
1930 11652
1934 12547
1945 15440

132
3.9.1.7 . Markapur - Cumbum
3.9.1.7.1, Markapur-Cumbum field was a part of

Narasaraopet for a long time. It included almost the

entire Prakasam district of the present day, except, the

Ongole and Kandukur talukas. Work on the field was

started by Fr. Heyer, who sent in March 1852, his

assistants, Appaiah, Joseph and Jacob into this territory.

About 1888 two families from Kanigiri taluk came and lived

for sometime in Narasaraopet taluk, who got instruction

and baptism. After their return back to their homes in

Kanigiri taluk, they began to spread the good news of the

1 ftA
Gospel.0* That created a large number of people deeply

interested in Christianity and in 1890 a catechist

together with his assistants were sent by the Congregation

in Guntur to work among these people.

3.9.1.7.2 In the year 1907 , the difficulties in

managing such a wide field were seriously discussed and

separation of the field of Markapuram-Cumbum was decided.

On February 2, 1910 a land of about 10 acres was purchased

at a cost of Rs.253/- at the village of Tarlupadu. On

December 3, ground was broken for the construction of

mission-house, in a small gathering of Rev. Beacker, Rev.

IOC
Cannaday and Rev. Muller, Miss Brewer and a few others. 03

The construction was completed by December 12, 1912.

133
3.9.1.7.3 The field began to make rapid progress from
the year 1920, when J.C.Fine Frock took charge and a

school and dispensary were started by him at Tarlubadu. 1 °

He was succeeded by Rev. George Rupley in 1927.

3.9.1.7.4 In the year 1942, it was recorded that the

field consisted of 113 congregations with the work
extended in 163 villages. In 1945, when the Church
administration was reconstituted, the field was
constituted into a Conference, which had at the time 6,436
Christians spread over in 138 congregations, in five
parishes. They were: Tarlubadu, Dornal, Yerragondapalem,
Kanigiri and Kandulapuram:

3.9.1.7.5 The following table gives an understanding

of the progress of the field, from time to time, in terms
of number of conversions.

Year No. of Missionaries on the Field

Convesions
1909 1514 Rev. Dr. Mueller
1942 6442 Rev. Fine Frock
1945 6436

134
3.9.1.8. Sattenapalle

3.9.1.8.1 The work on Sattenapalle was started by

Rev. W.E.Snyder, in January 1859, with two conversions at

the village of Yelampalli. Dr. J.H.Harpster was convinced

of the need for a mission-station at Sattenapalli to carry

on a more intensive work and in 1893, Rev. A.0.Becker made

plans for the mission-house at the place. The field

received care and interest of experienced missionaries

such as Rev. Me Caul ay, Rev. Cannaday, Rev. H.E. Dickey.

Rev.J.R.Fine Frock was incharge of the field from 1922-28

and again in 1930-32, during which time construction and

dedication of the Church at the place was completed on

February 25, 1927. In 1945, the field was divided into

Sattenapalli, Krosuru and Nidumukkala.

3.9.1.8.2 In the year 1859, Rev, Snyder reported

three cases of baptism, which rose up to 14,354 by the

year 1941. When Rev. L.W.Slifer was on the field. In the

year 1945 it was recorded when Dr.J.C.Fine Frock was on

the field, there were 13,858, Christians on the field. It

was estimated that there were 125 congregations.

3.9.1.9. Rajahmundry

3.9.1.9.1 Missionary work on the Rajahmundry field

was started by Rev. L.P.Menno Valett in the year 1844.*®^

135
He secured a site and constructed the mission-house during
the years 1846-47. He was joined in the work by Rev.
Charles William Groenning and Rev. Ferdinand Heisse, in
the year 1845. They were sent by NGMS and were German
by birth. But the field was transferred to the General
Synod in the year 1851 and thus they became the
missionaries of the American Lutheran Mission. However,
the first American missionary to have arrived on the field
was Rev. William J.Walter, who came and worked during
1852-55. Later the field was placed under the supervision
of Rev. Unangst, who had to manage it from Guntur. Due to
some vicissitudes of financial and managerial
difficulties, the mission changed hands more than once and
finally taken over by the General Council in 1867. The
field functioned thereon, till the formation of the AELC,
more or less independent and separated from the Guntur
field.

3.1.9.2 Rev. Hans Christian Schmidt and Rev.

I.K.Paulsen were the two missionaries, whom Rev. Heyer
brought to work on the field, who are to be noted as the
builders of the vast superstructure of the field, on the
foundations laid till year 1867. During their period
about 1 880 to 1900 , was the time, when the field
registered expansion in the form of more outstations,

136
number of schools and the rapid scales of conversions.

Their period of service was followed by those of Rev.

C.F.Kuder and Rev. E.Neudoerffer, when further progress in

all aspects was achieved. Especially Rev. Neudoerffer and

Rev. Artman worked for a long time on the field

contributing to the spread of education, both secular and

sacred at Rajahmundry. In addition, Rev. J.H.Harpster

came from Guntur field, to work on the Rajahmundry field,

in the year 1905, whose service for about 15 years

resulted in the progress of the field.

3.9.1.10. Peddapuram-Samarlakota Field

3.1.10.1. Samarlakota is a town, about thirty miles

from Rajahmundry, where Rev. Adam Long started mission-

station on January 31 , 1859. However, the work had not

progressed well and could not be continued during the

difficult years of the decade of I860.1-®® The work was

almost started afresh in 1881, by Rev. I.K.Paulsen, who

was designated to the Rajahmundry field and worked

together with Rev. Schmidt for a long time. His work was

continued by Rev. Dr. Isackson, who came in 1893 and led

the mission on the path of progress. But his sudden death

in the year 1914 was a severe blow to the onward march of

the field. Rev. F.L.Coleman supervised the field from

Peddapuram, from 1914 to 1920, when he was succeeded by

137
Rev. Eckhardt, who contributed for the progress of the

field, assisted by Rev. Fiedler during the years 1922-25.

Rev. A.F.A. Schmittenner was in-charge from 1930-37, but

it was under the charge of Rev. W.T.Benze, during 1937-45,

the field made spectacular progress. In the year 1945,

the field had 57 congregations and was made a Conference

under the charge of Rev.V.Frederick. The following table

shows the progress of the field in terms of number of

conversions from time to time.

Year Total No.of Missionaries on the Field

Conversions

1881 12 Rev. I.K.Paulsen

1884 195 Rev. I.K.Paulsen

1941 3087 Rev. W.T.Benze

1945 3897 Rev. W.T.Benze

3.9.1.11. Dhavalesvaram-Rajole Field

3.9.1.11.1 Rev. Ferdinand August Heise, who came to

Rajahmundry to assist Rev. Louis P. Menno Valette in 1845,

started work on the Dhavaleswaram area, where an anicut

was under construction, at the time. However, he stayed

at Rajahmundry and used to attend the work, as the village

138
of Dhavalesvaram, which was only about 10 Km. from

Rajahmundry. Transfer of the field of Rajahmundry to the

General Synod, resulted in the transfer of missionaries

between the two fields and in the decade of 1860, both the

fields had to face severe financial stringencies. These

developments resulted in the slow down of work, which came

to be rejuvenated with the arrival of Rev. Dietrich, to

1 OQ
assist Rev. Schmidt and Rev. Paulsen, in the year 1883.

He acquired a site of 4 1/2 acres and made arrangements

for the construction of mission-house. Rev. Artman

constructed and dedicated the church at the place, called

St. Marks Chapel, in the month of February, 1884. But the

sudden death of Dietrich in 1889 hampered the progress of

work on the field, as well as the construction of the

mission-house, which was completed by Rev. Schmidt. The

completion of the mission-house facilitated the residence

of a missionary in-charge of the field. The first to

occupy as resident missionary was Rev. Arps, who arrived

in the year, 1893. He built a hostel for the boys

boarding school at the place in the year 1904.

9.1.11.2 The field was subsequently served by Revs.

Larson, Holmer, Burger and Gesles. In 1945, the field was

divided into two Conferences, Yeditha and Amalapuram. In

the year 1888, there were 70 baptised persons on the

139
field, which figure grew into 8,245 by the year 1945.

3.9.1.12. Korukonda

3.9.1.12.1 Missionary activity on the Korukonda field

was started by Rev. Unangst, in his evangelical tours.

Rev. Dr. Schmidt made a systematic attempt to spread the

Faith in the area, by means of a house-boat, called ”Dove

of Peace", by which he used to touch the villages on the

river and canals of the region. Rev. Artman visited the

area, but his untimely death prevented any systematic

follow-up. However, between the years 1902 to 1908, a

number of villages of the tribals in the Agency area came

to have Congregations and thus the field expanded in area

and increased in number of conversions. Revs.

Dr.S.E.Neudoerffer, J.H.Harpster, Revs. Walter, J.Wiliams,

Eckhardt among others persistently toured over the area

and achieved slow, but substantial results.

3.9.1.12.2 The following table presents the picture of

the field progressing from time to time, in terms of

number of conversions.

140
Year Total No.of Missionaries on the Field
Conversions

1868 2 Rev. Dr.Unangst

1885 4 Rev. Dr.Unangst

1887 5 Rev. Dr.Schmidt

1888 17 Rev. Dr.Schmidt
1889 20 Rev. Dr.Schmidt
1890 21 Rev. Dr.Schmidt
1891 25 Rev. Dr.Schmidt
1892 31 Rev. Dr.Schmidt
1893 32 Rev. Dr.Schmidt

1894 36 Rev. Pohl

1896 39 Rev. Dr.Schmidt

1897 52 Rev. T.Joseph

1893 53 Rev. Schmidt

1900 66 Rev. Schmidt

1901-1910 269 Rev. Dar.Neudoerffer,

Dr, J.H.Harpster, Rev.Wolters,
J.William, Eckhardt

1910-1920 657 Rev.Beckhardt, William,

A.F.A.Neudoerffer, C.P.Tranberg

1924 1486

1942 4384

1945 5318

3.9.1.13. Kowur - Polavaram Field

3.9.1.13.1 The mission work from Rajahmundry crossed

the river Godavari in 1885, the village of Tallapudi
having been introduced to the faith. In 1884, Rev.Artman

toured the villages in the area and carried on extensive

141
Gospel work. However, it was only after the appointment

of Rev.Me.Cready, as the first resident missionary on the

field, the activity was systematized and began to yield

substantial results. Rev.J.Roy Strock was in-charge of

the field, for sometime, who built the mission-house and

made further arrangements for the progress of the religion

over the field.

3.9.1.13.2 There were seven parishes in the field, in

the year 1950, Nidadavolu, Kovvuru, Devarapalli,

Vegesvarapuram, Polavaram, Koyyalagudem and Gopalapuram.

3.9.1.13.3 The following table provides a glance at

the progress of the field in terms of number of

conversions, from time to time.

Year No. of Total Missionaries on the Field

Conversions

1869 2 Rev. C.F.Heyer

1884 102 Rev. Dr.Schmidt, Rev. Artman,

Me Cready

1885 200 Rev. Me.Cready

1890 296 Rev. Me.Cready

1925 2496 Rev. Dr.Neudoerffer

1942 6700 Rev. L.E.L.Irshick and
Rev. Dr. J.Roy Strock
1945 7011 -do-

142
3.9.1.14. Tanuku
3.9.1.14.1 The mission-field of Tanuku comprises of

the taluks of Tanuku and Tadepal1igudem, in the West

Godavari District. Work on the field was started by

Fr.Heyer in the year 1870, assisted by Joseph and Paulus,

two native converts, who were working as catachists. The

work was later carried on, after Fr.Heyer left India, by

Rev.Schmidt and Rev.Paulsen. A native Christian teacher

and preacher, called Jeremiah was actively working on the

field, in the early 1980s and he was obstructed by local

Hindus. Rev.Schmidt took up the matter to the authorities

and provided him proper security, by which Jeremiah was

able to spread the religion over Palacole-Narasapur

areas.*90 Rev.William Groenning, a son of Rev.Charles

William Groenning, worked on the field for sometime

during 1884-89, during which time Rev.E.Pohl, who belonged

to the Schleswig-Holstein Mission worked on the field,

whose services were loaned by the General Council.*9*

3.9.1.14.2 About the beginning of the third decade of

the present century, in the year 1922, Rev. A.F.A.

Neudoerffer came to serve on the Rajahmundry field, who

paid some attention on the Tanuku field as well. But the

arrival of Rev.A.F.Schmitthener to the field in January,

1923, marked a great progress in the work. He was the

143
first resident missionary on the field and worked for six

continuous years. Rev.Slijer worked on the field,

succeeding Rev.Schmitthener, till 1934, followed by

Rev.Irschick in the years 1916 to 1938, followed by

Rev.Dr.J.Roy Strock to the beginning of the year 1940 and

Rev.Dr.Goatwald till 1944.

3.9.1.14.3 In the year 1945, when the work of the

Church was re-organized, the field had 7,898 Converted

Christians in 117 Congregations. The field was divided

into two Conferences, Velpuru and Tadepal1igudem with

sever pastorates.

3.9.1.14.4 The following table presents the picture of

progress that the field registered from time to time, in

terms of number of conversions.

Year Total Number of Missionaries on the Field

Converts

1882 160 Rev. N. Paulus

1884 900 Rev. N. Paulus

1890 1580 Rev.H.C.Schmidt

1945 7898 Rev.Dr.GotwaId

144
3.9.1.15. Bhimavaram - Narasapur Field

3.9.1.15.1 As early as the arrival of Rev.Louis

P.Menno Valett on the Rajahmundry field, the work on

Bhimavaram-Narasapur field can be said to have commenced.

But there was very little progress in the early stages,

due to shortage of men and money as well as stupendous

work on the Rajahmundry field itself. In the last quarter

of the century, the native workers, Alfred and Jeremiah

made attempts to introduce the Gospel to people in a few

villages, but any systematic work can be considered to

have commenced only with Pastor Paulus taking charge of

the field. Rev. Dr .Schmidt used to supervise the work on

the field from Rajahmundry. Several outstanding

missionaries worked on the field, such as Revs.Harpster,

E.Neudoerffer, assisted by Rev.O.V.Werner, K.L.Wolters,

H.H.Sipes, F.L.Coleman and S.C.Burger.

3.9.1.15.2 The following table presents a picture of

the progress of work on the field, in terms of number of

conversions, from time to time.

145
Year Total No.of Missionaries on the Field
Conversions

1871 60 Rev. Dr.Schmidt

1879 62 Pastor Paulus

1897 2380 Pastor Paulus

1899 3380 Rev. Dr.Schmidt

1909 4000 Rev. Dr.Harpster

1920 9000 Rev. Dr.Neurdoerffer

1930 13000 Rev. Dr.H.H.Sipes, Rev.F.L.

Coleman, Rev. Dr.S.C.Burger

1942 24000 Rev. H.H.Moyer, Rev. Dr.E.F.A.

Neurdoerffer, Rev. W.D.Coleman
(Correct the names, there are
apparently mistakes in the
surnames applied to some of
the persons)

1954 26455 -do-

3.9.1.16. Yelesvaram

3.9.1.16.1 Yelesvaram in the East Godavari District

was a large field, where the agency area abounds to a

larger extent. Work commenced on the field about the year

1888, after the initial attempts of Rev. Dr.Schmidt in

1871. He undertook a missionary expedition into the area,

and tried to impress the primitive tribals such as the

Koyas, the Reddis, etc., to an extent of success. In the

year 1893, Rev.Emmanuel Edman, visited the area, where he

found a congregation in the village of Addatigala. For

146
many years the agency work was carried on either from
Rajahmundry, or Samalkot. Rev.0.0.Eckhardt did concerted
effort. In 1924, a separate mission-field was opened for
the area, called the Yelesvaram Field. In the year 1925,
mission-bungalow was built and Rev.H.H.Moyer, was
appointed as the first resident missionary on the field.
He was succeeded by Revs.Theodore Benze and A.F.
i ' —

Schmittherner, F.L.Cdleman, etc., whose work contributed

to the alround progress of the field.

3.9.1.16.2 In the year 1888, Dr.Schmidt reported 20

cases of conversions, and in 1950 there were 3,281
baptised persons in 81 congregations. They formed into
three parishes and the field was constituted a Conference
in the reorganization of the Church administrative
structure.

Notes and References

1. Chapter 1, 3, 9.
2. Life and Letters, p.26.
3. Jacobs, H.E., The Lutheran Church Review, XIX, pp.50-
51.
4. Wolf, L.B., After Fifty Years, p.29.
5. Ibid., pp.29-30.

147
 6. The Telugu Mission,, p.14.

7. One Hundred Years, p.1.

8. Ibid., pp.1-2.

9. Jacobs, H.E., A History of the Evangelical Lutheran

Church in the United States, (New York, 1892), p.378.

10. The Telugu Mission„ p.16.

11. Father Heyer's Own Story, p.3.

12. AELCH, p.l.

13. The Telugu Mission, p.51.

14. Father Heyer’s Own Story, p.63.

15. Theodore Bachmann, They Called Him Father, p.147.

16. Ibid, p.152.

17. Father Heyer's Own Story, p.65.

18. Lutheran Enterprise, p.34.

19. Father Heyer's Own Story, p.71.

20. Life and Letters, p.38.

21. Ibid.,

22. George Drach, Our Church Abroad, p.31.

23. Life and Letters, p.37.

24. They Called Him Father, p.155.

25. One Hundred Years, p.3.

26. Lutheran Enterprises, p.34.

27. The Telugu Mission, p.66.

28. HLAD., p.58.

29. Life and Letters, p.38.

148
30- They Called Him Father, p.172.

31. Ibid.,

32. One Hundred Years - The Telugu Mission, p.74.

33. They Called Him Father, p.176.

34. Ibid.,, p.186.

35. The Telugu Mission, p.79.

36. Ibid., p.80.

37. HLAD, p.62.

38. Life and Letters, p.58.

39. One Hundred Years, pp.106-07.

40. Lutheran Observer, July 12, 1850, p.317.

41. The Telugu Mission, p.84.

42. Ibid.,

43. AELCH, p.4.

44. One Hundred Years, p.10.

45. Margaret E. Coleman, The Church is Planted (A

Bibliographical Record of the Lutheran Church in
America, 1842-1987). Published by the Division for
World Mission and Ecumenism Lutheran Church in
America, 1987, p.7.
46. The Telugu Mission, pp.99-100.

47. General Synod Minutes, 1855, p.31.

48. Lutheran Enterprises, p.36.

49. HLAD., p.66.

50. One Hundred Years, p.ll.

149
51. Lutheran Observer, June 12, 1857.

52. After Fifty Years, pp.113-14.

53. Lutheran Enterprises, p.36.

54. The Telugu Mission, p-. 121.

55. Ibid., p.123.

56. Ibid., p,124.

57. Ibid., p.125.

58. HLAD., p.185.

59. AELCH., p.6.

60. The Telugu Mission, pp.126-27.

61. AELCH., p.6 .

62. Ibid.,

63. Lambert, W.A., - The Lutheran Church Review, Vol.I

XXII, M.D., p.167.

64. AELCH., p.7.

65. After Fifty Years, p.124.

66. Lutheran Enterprises, p.38.

67. After Fifty Years, p.128.

68. Drach, George, Kingdom Pathfinders, p.28.

69. Proceedings of the General Synod, for the year 1875,

pp.54-55.

70. Margaret E. Coleman, The Church is Planted, p.15.

71. Preston A. Laury, A History of Lutheran Missions,

(Reading, P.A., 1905), p.139.
72. After Fifty Years, p.135.

150
73. Article by Rev. Rowe, The Lutheran Quarterly, Vol.9
and 10.

74. The Telugu Mission, p.357.

75. Isaiah, Kola, Profiles of Principles, (Guntur, 1987),

p. 3.

76. Ibid., p.47.

77. Jacobs, H.E., The Lutheran Church Review, XIX, pp.451-

458.

78. A.E.L.C. Sangha Nayakulu (Centennial United Lutheran

Church (1842-1942), A.E.L.C. Pracharamu, Guntur,
1944), p.l.
79. Lutheran Enterprises, p.38.

80. A.E.L.C. Sangha Nayakulu, pp.1-2.

81. George Drach, Kingdom's Pathfinders, p.31.

82. After Fifty Years, p.155.

83. Lutheran Enterprises, p.39.

84. Anna S.Kugler, p.4.

85. One Hundred Years, p.301.

86. After Fifty Years, p.142.

87. Preston A. Laury, A History of Lutheran Missions, p.141.

88. Ibid.,

89. Isaiah, Kola, Profiles of Principles, p.34.

90. Margaret E. Coleman, The Church is Planted, p.22.

91. After Fifty Years, p.148.

92. Isaiah, Kola, Profiles of Principles, p.35.

93. Vajrotsavamu, Kristu Devalamu, Rentachintala 1903,

(Guntur, 1978).

94. Ibid.,

151
95. One Hundred Years, p.196.

96. AELCH, p.39.

97. Ibid.,, p.39.

98. Ibid.,

99. Ibid., p.118.

100. Ibid., p.40.

101. One Hundred Years, p.20.

102. Ibid., p.229.

103. Life and Letters, p.74.

104. Ibid., p.76.

105. The Telugu Mission, pp.171-172.

106. Ibid., p.162.

107. Ibid., p.163.

108. Ibid., p.164.

109. Ibid., p.165.

110. AELCH., p.16.

111. The Telugu Mission, p.170.

112. Ibid., p.171.

113. Ibid., p.174.

114. Ibid., p.175.

115. Ibid., p.176.

116. AELCH., p.17 .

117. Ibid.

118. The Telugu Mission, p.176.

119. Margaret, E.Coleman, The Church is Planted, p.16.

152
120. AELCH., p.17.

121. Ibid., p.27.

122. One Hundred Years, p.200.

123. AELCH, p.35.

124. Ibid., p.276.

125. Ibid., p.251.

126. bid., p.27.

127. Ibid., p.28.

128. The Telugu Mission, p.213-14.

129. Ibid., pp.208-09.

130. One Hundred Years, p.17.

131. The Telugu Mission, p.244.

132. Ibid., p.229.

133. Lutheran Enterprises, p.42.

134. The Telugu Mission, p.251.

135. Ibid., p.251.

136. AELCH., p.36.

137. Ibid.

138. The Telugu Mission, p.241.

139. AELCH, p.30.

140. Ibid., p.36.

141. Ibid.

142. AELCH. , p.276.

143. Lutheran Enterprises, p.44.

144. AELCH, p.47.

153
145. Ibid., p.47.

146. Ibid., p.56.

147. Ibid.

148. Ibid., p.55.

149. Ibid.

150. Ibid., p.57.

151. Lutheran Enterprises, p.46.

152. Ibid.,

153. Ibid., p.46.

154. Ibid.,

155. Ibid.,

156. AELCH, p.57.

157. Lutheran Enterprises, p.46.

158. AELCH., p.57.

159. Ibid.,

160. Ibid., p.58.

161. Lutheran Enterprises, p.46.

162. One Hundred Years, p.230.

163. Ibid.,

164. Ibid., p.231.

165. The Constitution of Andhra Evangelical Lutheran

Church, Rajahmundry, 1990, p.l.
166. One Hundred Years, p.230.

167. Ibid., p.231.

168. MCAP, New York, 1962, p.20.

154
169. One Hundred Years, p.232.

170. Ibid., p.23.

171. AELCH, p.62.

172. MCAP, p.19.

173. Ibid., p.20.

174. One Hundred Years, p.233.

175. MCAP, p.20.

176. Ibid.

177. Ibid.

178. Ibid., pp.20-21.

179. Ibid., p.21.

180. Ibid., p.18.

181. AELCH, Appendix-I.

182. Ibid., p.81.

183. Ibid.

184. One Hundred Years, p.107.

185. Ibid., p.108.

186. Ibid.,

187. AELCH., p.4.

188. After Fifty Years, P-118.

189. Ibid., p.197.

190. Ibid., p.202.

191. Ibid., p.202.

155