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St. George's Garrison church, Wellington, Nilgiris, TN alamy.com
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Hill stations like Ooty, Coonoor, Wellington, etc., on the Nilgiri hills in the Western Ghat of Tamil Nadu are dotted with many colonial churches whose heritage aspect is very much retained. First discovered by the colonial Collector of Coimbatore John Sullivan
(15 June 1788-16 January 1855) in 1819 after a strenuous uphill journey with a group of men and hunters, at his initiative, a British settlement was founded in Octacamund (Ooty) without disturbing the hill tribes living there. As the mild weather on the hills and the serene, quiet surroundings there reminded him of the English country side, independently, Sullivan and other officials from neighboring districts built summer residences at Ooty
in the main part of the Nilgiris. Their settlement here attracted a steam of Europeans living across the southern regions for reasons of health, comfort, adventure and leisure. Yet another advantage they had was they wanted to be away from the summer heat and dusty winds on the plains. As the European population swelled, Catholic churches, etc., were established one by one. In the later period, the British established a garrison at Wellington, close to Ooty.
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Entrance, St. George's Garrison church, Wellington,Nilgiris, alamy.com
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| St. George's Garrison church,Wellington, Nilgiris, alamy.com |
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Inside St. George's garrison church, Wellington, Nilgiris. ootytourism.co.in
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The St. George's Garrison Church, built in the year 1885, as a place of worship for the British troops stationed in the Nilgiris, is a fine-looking one and is noted for its impressive architecture. The church boasts of the loftiest spire with a lighted Cross atop, which can be seen from far. Inside the church the oak choir-stalls, pulpit and the brass altar-railings were specially imported from England. This colonial church that can accommodate about 600 persons at a time during services is well-known for its acoustics. The major attraction is the antique pipe organ made in England that was erected between 1900 & 1902. It is said it was erected in this church in memory of Her Majesty Queen Victoria. According to Annie Israel, who has been playing the pipe organ for
the past 30 plus years, the organ is in perfect condition and when played
the music reverberates and fills the church, confirming church's fine acoustics caused by specially designed oak choir-stalls, pulpit and the brass altar-railings (imported from England).
In May 2010 the famous church celebrated 125th years of its existence and as part of the commemoration ceremonies, week-long musical evenings were held and several bands including those from Bangalore, Trichy, Coimbatore, etc., participated in them.
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| Pipe organ, St George's Garrison church,Wellington, Nilgiris alamy.com |
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| Pipe organ, St George's Garrison church, Wellington, Nilgiris sheilakumar.in |
Considered as the biggest church in the Nilgiris, the main activity of the Church is on Sunday closest to the National Martyrs' Day (January 30). A Special Service of Remembrance in honor of our martyrs is held in the church, when the Station Commander, Wellington, lays a wreath on a plaque, which reads “When you go home, tell them of us and say, for their tomorrow, we gave our today.”
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Coimbatore/Church-steps-into-history/article16300114.ece
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