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Once the centre of a flourishing Buddhist
culture, Medak is richly endowed with archaeological treasures. The
magnificent Catholic Church at the place is said to be one of the three
big churches in South India. It's foundation was laid in 1914 and it is
was completed in 1924. On special occasions such as Easter, Christmas and
New Year, this church attracts large crowds.
The Exquisite Architectural Splendour
Built
with solid white granite, the lofty structure with its sylvan ambience is
profoundly aesthetic, luring the faithful from far and wide. The main
prayer hall of the church is 91m long and 45.5m wide.
The church has an impressive style of vaulting and large windows on
either sides of the hall and the windows at the entrance are provided with
pieces of coloured glass fitted in metal frames. The coloured glass pieces
are beautifully arranged to depict scenes from the bible and Crucifixion
of Jesus Christ. They serve as a picture book of the Bible to those who
cannot read. The colour spectrum produced by these windows inside, by the
early and late afternoon sun is marvellous.
The Cathedral is 61m high and accommodates 5,000 people at a time. The
tower over the entrance is 53m high. The British artist, Sir O. Salisbury
took 40 years creating this work of art at his studio in London.
The Legend
Legend has it that this church was born out of a famine that struck Medak
during World War I. Mr. Charles Walker Posnett, a dedicated English
missionary from England, was posted as the Reverend of Medak, which was
reeling under an unprecedented famine that continued for as long as three
years.
Hundreds of families approached the Reverend for food and blessings.
Their pathetic condition moved him and he provided them with enough food.
As an act of thanks giving to God who helped him provide food for the
starving people of Medak, he proposed building a church. The grateful
inhabitants of Medak instantly accepted the proposal. Thus with the labour
of love from those simple peasants, the church rose. Started in the year
1914, it took ten years to complete it. It was consecrated in 1924 during
Christmas.
With its immensity and beauty, this century old church stands out as one
of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in India.
Air: Nearest airport is at
Hyderabad , at a
distance of 100-km.
Rail: The nearest railway station is at Kamareddy, at a distance
of 60-km.
Road: State buses are available from Hyderabad, Sangareddy,
Nizamabad,
Karimnagar,
Warangal and Siddipet.
Accommodation is available at the hotels in
Medak.