The Tamil Methodist Church, Brickfields, Kuala Lumpur celebrated their 85th Anniversary on 6th September 1981 with a Thanksgiving Service at 9.00 a.m. at which an evangelist from India, Bagavathar Vedanayagam Sastriar was the guest speaker. The Malaysian Methodist Bishop, the Rev. C.N. Fang brought greetings from the General Conference and took part in the Holy Communion Service. This was followed by a fellowship tea and entertainment programme at which the Sunday School children and WSCS ladies gave song items and the MYF members put on an impromptu hilarious programme. The pastor of the church and president of TAC, the Rev. V. John Kovilpillai interviewed a few old members of the church, after which lunch was served, followed by a film show and tea.

In conjunction with the celebrations a fund raising subscription dinner was held at Hotel Merlin, Kuala Lumpur on Sunday 13th September, proceeds of which went to the ‘TAC Multi-Purpose Building’ project. This three-storey building will house the TAC and church offices, Conference Room, Library, Hostel Rooms and other facilities. According to Mr. E. V. Nesaratnam, Vice President of TAC, the Multi-Purpose Hall will be used mainly for specific training and as a Resource Development Centre for rural work. The centre will provide training facilities for women from rural areas in health, nutrition, family planning and child care. Also for youth and children in kindergartens, pre-school and tuition for slow learners and drop-outs and for men to acquire appropriate skills in technical and vocational jobs to enable them to be self reliant. Another feature of the training planned is to develop leadership, so that those so trained, could go back to the rural areas and help in the developing of agricultural and animal husbandry projects, thus alleviating the poor economic and despondent social status that prevails now.

The Tamil Methodist Church has come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1896. According to Rev. V. John Kovilpillai, the church began with the dream of eight young men who met for Prayer and Bible Study in homes. These gatherings formed the foundation and the belief that a formal establishment of a Tamil Church was necessary, and they approached the Malaya Annual Conference. On Friday 18th June, 1897, the Kuala Lumpur Episcopal Tamil Church was founded, and the Anglo-Tamil School was opened in July, 1897. Subsequently, land was obtained from the Government for a church building at Malacca Street, Kuala Lumpur. On 11th March, 1900, the Church was dedicated and served all Methodists — European, American, Chinese and Tamil congregations, until 1917 when the English speaking group moved to their own building and the Chinese congregation moved out in 1928.

However, as the Government land on which the church was situated was required for development, it was exchanged for a suitable land in Jalan Sultan Abdul Samad, Brickfields. The parsonage land being private land was sold for $250,000 thus enabling the new building to be built. The foundation stone for the new church was laid on 22nd January 1961 by the Rev. S. S. Pakianathan, and the new building was dedicated by Bishop H. B. Amstutz on the 6th May, 1961, assisted by Dr. Ho Seng Ong, the most senior Asian pastor, the Rev. J. V. Ayaduray and the Rev. W. D. Stone.

Since then the church has also established preaching points in Sungei Way Subang, Ulu Klang, Bukit Rotan, Batang Berjuntai, Kajang, Rawang and is involved in the prison ministry.

As the pastor so aptly puts it “our rejoicing on this 85th Anniversary is not only concerned with our history, but also with the present and the future, it is a continuing vision of service to our Lord and society.” He reminded the members of the challenges ahead. “There is a consuming and important work for each of us, if Christ’s Kingdom is to grow on earth. Our witnessing and living must become effective; we are called to relieve some of the pain, misery and oppression in our midst, creating a society where the values of the Kingdom of God is cherished, established and lived.”

Pelita Methodist
November/December 1981