Secunderabad- St Francis Xavier Church, conferred 'Heritage site' status by INTACH carries charm with a humble air!

 Secunderabad, the twin city of Hyderabad was an old British cantonment and boasts of one of the highest concentration of churches. With close to 100 churches that are ardently attended till date, there is something special about them as you cross them even as a passerby.

The architecture mostly Anglo style Gothic stands out in the midst of new settlements. There is a quiet encompassing them and one can’t help but wander into one such charming church with a humble air.

St Frances Xaviers Church dated 1842 is located in Valerian Grammar school and was built to cater to the spiritual needs of the Irish regiment stationed here. The church now though under CSI (Church of South India), is under the ambit of the Army due to its location. Wonder if the historic churches are more secure owing to this fact.





The simple white and limestone edifice is made of lime mortar and timber girders with a carved wooden church door and a simple D.O.M (Latin acronym for “The greatest and Best God”) engraved atop. A trustee who is also an alumnus of the school Dayakar tells me, “The church has been under Pastoral care for long and with the help of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad and the alumni of Valerian school, apart from the members, we have tried to keep its glory.”

The church now has its Sunday service outside in the open area owing to the numbers, especially on special occasions when the church cannot accommodate all. It has retained the same area indoors despite recent renovation. I seemed to have come on the right day as December 3rd also marks the Feast Day of the patron saint, Saint Francis Xavier. The service took place in the ample space in its vicinity with the Parish priests from the Archdiocese presiding over with a special message and ending with excited children receiving Eucharist. The lunch picnic took place in the spacious backyard which also houses the Parish residence on one side. The attached school was built much after the church in 1961 by Father Vaddakal.



With fees being kept at nominal, the school has benefitted the locals of the area who also patronise it.

Father Kennedy who was the head priest and principal here at one time says, “While the British army staff made up for the original congregation, very few remaining from that lineage now come here. It is mostly Tamilians or then recent residents or those who have retired here and follow the faith.”

The church retains its original character barring some renovation work on the walls. The alter and ceiling are never touched. It was conferred the title of a Heritage site by INTACH in 2016.

Trivia: While another popular landmark church, St Mary’s Basilica construction began in 1840, it took ten years to be built. However, St Francis Xavier church was made in 2 years, making it the oldest. The church premise was also used as a Summer retreat by Bishops and Pastoral staff.

 

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