A TRADITION OF FAITH:

The Paul Family's Contributions to CSI Church Marthandam

Dr. Job Kamalam

His tenure was from 1934 to 1938.

Joseph kamalam was born in devikodu in 1830.  His second son Dr. Job Kamalam was a  very pious man. Dr. Job Kamalam worked as a doctor at the Atinkal London mission Hospital.  Retired I.G. P Devasakayam’s  sister Grace married him as his wife. He retired as a doctor in marthandam mission Hospital.  His daughter Mrs. Charlet Mercy  was the mother of Prof. Edwin. J Paul and Dr. Suresh Paul is her grandson. 

Mr. P. PAUL

Church Deacon :1944 – 1948 

Mr. P. Paul was from Vettumani, near Marthandam, and was raised in a family that did not know Christ. However, he accepted Christ and was baptized through the influence of missionaries in the area. With his extensive experience in teaching, he was affectionately called "Paul Vathiyar." He worked as both a P.W.D. and railway contractor, and served as a Deacon in the Marthandam Church for many years. Mr. Paul owned a bullock cart, which he regularly used to attend church. On Sundays, he would travel in the cart, arriving at the church well before the bells rang. 

  He was a compassionate man who provided free eye disease treatment and was always ready to help the poor

    Blessed with seven sons and two daughters, he passed away in the Lord at the age of 99.

Rev. PAUL NESAMONI. M.A.B.D. 

 District Minister :1934 to 1948.

   Rev. Paul Nesamoni was born in 1892 of devout Christian parents in Vettuvanni, Marthandam.  His father Mr. Paul was a teacher and for many years deacon of the Marthandam Church.  He had his education in the Scott Christian High School and Scott Christian College at Nagercoil.  Then he studied in the Theological College at Bangalore and passed his B.D.  In 1912, when the all India students conference was held at Serampore, he dedicated himself for church work.

       He married Smt. Chrisolight, daughter of Mr. Asirvatham, Telegraph master, Nagercoil.  She was of great help to him in his ministry and by her ideal family life, she set an example to women.

          Rev. Paul Nesamoni was teaching in the Scott Christian High School, Nagercoil and the Divinity School, Kannammoolai, Trivandrum for short periods.  Then he was given a call by the Parasala Pastorate where he was ordinated in 1921. Then, he accepted a lecturer’s post in the Theological College at Serampore.  Subsequently, he became the pastor of the Christian College Church, Madras. Then he accepted a call from the Master Memorial Church, Trivandrum and served as a pastor there.

          In 1934, he was appointed as the District Minister of the Parasala District.  For a short period, he was appointed as the pastor of the C.S.I. Church, Marthandam in a leave vacancy.  After wards in 1939, he was transferred to Quilon where he served as the District Minister till 1944.  During the next four years, he was the District Chairman at Nagercoil. By his piety, honesty and selfless service, he set a good example to the members of his congregation and especially to those employed as church workers.  On 13th February 1948, while he was in active service as the District Minister, Nagercoil he slept in Jesus.

Mr. PAUL EBENEZER 

Church deacon : 1952 – 1956

   Mr. Paul Ebenezer was born in Vettuvanni, Marthandam. His father Mr. Paul was a teacher and for many years Deacon of the Marthandam Church.  As a student. Paul Ebenezer was quite smart and studious.  After completing his education he went abroad at the early age of 19 years.  He worked for five years in Basar (Iraq) and for twenty three years in Iran British Oil Company.  He was taken three as a prisoner of war in 1941 for seven days by the Iranians.

        Then he settled down in Marthandam. He was a very good Tennis and Table Tennis Player he and got a lot of cups and trophies.  He served as Deacon and as secretary of the Marthandam Church. He collected money to buy a baby organ for the church and for the boarding school.  He formed a tennis club in the Marthandam Y.M.C.A. and established weekly prayer meeting in the Y.M.C.A.  He was one of the directors of the Martandam Commercial Bank.  He was  also a Rotarian in the Rotary Club of Nagercoil.  At Nagercoil, he worked under Dr. A. Nobel, as Office Manager in Putheri Hospital for seven years.  He is noted for his integrity of heart and innocence of hands.  He is a veteran and versatile genious.  In all his dealings,  he worked with probity and uprightness.  He has lived a model life for us to follow and the sweet memories will be cherished for ever and ever.  He was called to eternal rest on 17-7-1975.

Mr. PAUL CHELLAPPA

Mr. Paul Chellappa, born in 1897 in Vettumani, Marthandam, was the son of Mr. Paul Vathiar, a long-serving church deacon. From a young age, Paul Chellappa dedicated his life to Christ and actively ministered to children and youth, leading many to Christianity. He worked as a teacher at Bishop Sargent Teachers’ School in Palayang Fort for 35 years and developed close relationships with prominent church leaders, including Archbishop Sunam Archbald and Rev. G.T. Selvin.

For years, he served as the secretary of the Tirunelveli Archdiocese’s children’s magazine, Paliya Nesan, and played a key role in training numerous teachers and missionaries who continue to work with children in the Tirunelveli district. Known for his ability to translate sermons from English and Malayalam to Tamil, he also organized pre-school festivals, composed devotional songs, and provided profound spiritual guidance. His approach to parenting balanced discipline with love.

Mr. Chellappa's children included his eldest daughter, Mrs. Susilaa Martin of Palayangottai, Mrs. Lillan Egbert in Hyderabad, and Jayasingh Paul, a head teacher at a Kanyakumari Archdiocese Mission High School, as well as the choir leader of Marthandam Church. After retiring in 1959, he returned to Marthandam, where he continued preaching in various congregations, known for his early morning devotions, special children's messages, and introducing nursery rhymes in church services. He passed away on August 20, 1966, leaving a lasting impact on the community and church.

Prof. EDWIN J. PAUL

Church  secretary and deacon   from 1967 to 1991.

Mr. Edwin J. Paul was the son of late Mr. Paul Rethinam, a freedom fighter and lawyer, and Mrs. Mercy Rethinam. On 14th August 1966, he was elected as a Council Elder, and on 18th March 1967, he was unanimously appointed as the Secretary of the Committee. He served as the Council Secretary for an impressive 24 consecutive years, until 27th January 1991. During his tenure, numerous spiritual meetings were conducted by renowned individuals such as Mr. Vedanayagam Shastri, John Solomon, Mohan C. Lazarus, Arulraj, O. Joe Moses, John Rabindranath, and Dr. Pushparaj. 

Under his leadership, the church associations thrived, and significant initiatives were launched, including the establishment of the Elderly Prayer Group in 1980 and the Diocesan Prayer Group in 1983. The elders of Marthandam Church and members of the Aadi Council, elected from among the elders, worked in close collaboration with the overseers, ensuring the smooth functioning of church activities and fostering a strong sense of community.

During his tenure Sinclair hall was built, church compound wall, front steps, stone passages around the church, lightning arresters, parsonage and four new churches came up in Panthi villai C.S.I,  Gnana bethil C.S.I, Padian vilai C.S.I and Vaanian vilai C.S.I.  He used to conduct the church services and give messages when church Pastor goes on leave.

C. Jayasingh Paul, M.A, M.Ed.,

 Choir master from 1968

C. Jayasingh Paul, M.A., M.Ed., is a highly respected figure in the Marthandam Church community, known for his exceptional leadership in music ministry. With a passion for both education and music, he served as the chairman of the church’s choir for above 25 years, a period marked by stability and significant artistic growth. He became the choir mates is the year.  His dedication to fostering musical excellence was instrumental in maintaining the choir's reputation for outstanding performance.

Under his leadership, the choir expanded its repertoire and refined its vocal techniques, bridging the gap between traditional hymns and contemporary musical expressions. One of his notable contributions was his role in the purchase of an electronic organ in 1990, a symbol of the congregation’s commitment to musical excellence, which played a key role in enhancing worship experiences. 

In addition to his work with the choir, C. Jayasingh Paul is known for his academic background in education, holding a Master’s degree Education. His approach to music ministry was grounded in a strong sense of spiritual purpose, emphasizing the importance of music as a tool for worship and community connection. Through his leadership, the Marthandam Church Choir became more than just a musical ensemble—it became a vital spiritual force within the congregation. 

Rev. V. Jothipackiam 

Pastor from 1958 to 1963

Rev. V. Jothipackiam was born on April 22, 1908, in Andithope near Thittuvilai. From a young age, he was deeply God-fearing. His spiritual journey took a significant turn when a Malayalee preacher named Sadhu Bhanu visited his village and preached about the second coming of Christ. Rev. Jothipackiam was profoundly moved by the message and wept for his sins. That night, he had a dream in which he saw the Heavenly Jerusalem.  After completing his school education, he pursued theological studies in Bangalore. Upon finishing his studies, he was appointed as an evangelist in Vairagudi, where he also married Devapoo, the daughter of Mr. John. They had four sons and two daughters. A year later, Rev. Jothipackiam was ordained as a pastor in Anandanadargudi, where he faced the challenge of dealing with the widespread issue of drinking among the community. He took a firm stand, excommunicating any communicant member involved in drinking.

After a year in Anandanadargudi, he moved to Erode to engage in Bible training work. His efforts there were highly appreciated by the missionaries, and as a result, he was offered a scholarship to study at Selly Oak College in Birmingham, England. Upon completing his studies in Birmingham, he returned to Erode and was appointed as pastor and correspondent for several schools.  Rev. Jothipackiam spent many years in Erode before returning to his native region. He was appointed pastor of Senamvilai by Rev. J.A. Jacob, the brother of his father-in-law, Mr. J.A. John. In 1958, he was called to serve in Marthandam Church, where he worked diligently to bring souls to Christ. He organized numerous conventions to encourage repentance among the people and spoke passionately about the second coming of Christ. After serving in Marthandam for five years, he was transferred to Kottaram. However, within two years, he resigned from his position and became an independent preacher, continuing his work for Christ.  His daughter Mrs. Lalitha Jeyasingh is married to Mr. C. Jayasingh Paul, are choir master then.

Conclusion

The Paul family's contributions to the CSI Church in Marthandam have been profound and enduring. From Dr. Job Kamalam's pious service to the dedication of Mr. P. Paul and Rev. Paul Nesamoni, each family member played a significant role in the spiritual growth of the community. Mr. Paul Ebenezer's leadership, Mr. Paul Chellappa’s work with children, and Prof. Edwin J. Paul's long tenure as secretary further strengthened the church’s foundation. Their collective efforts in education, charity, and church administration have left a lasting legacy, shaping the faith and values of generations within the Marthandam congregation.

https://betterlivingdrsuresh.com/blog/edwin-j-paul-a-life-of-service-in-education-ministry-and-christian-leadership

Click here for : Eye related Tamil blogs :https://tamilsuresh.com

Click here for : Eye related English blogs : https://www.suresheyehospital.in