St. Matthias Church, Vepery, Madras

 

St Matthias Church, Vepery.  This  was originally  a Catholic  church  called  Our Lady of Miracles and was the  private chapel of Coja Petrus Uscan the Armenian Merchant.  After the rendition of  Madras in 1749 the British  doubted the  Catholics of having supported French  and the  Catholic  chapel  inside the Fort was demolished. After the death of  Coja Petrus  Uscan in 1751 the  Vepery church  was taken over by the  SPCK the  Danish  Protestant  Mission.  The   church was converted into a Anglican  church  and  was repaired  extensively  and consecrated in 1823. The  Government also paid some money for the restoration.  The  tombstone of Uscan  is still in the  churchyard. Many of the  road  in Vepery like Hunters Road, Jeremiah Road,  Rotlers Street  are named after the Prebysters who served the church

Photo :  British library

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