Medak Cathedral marks centennial anniversary on Christmas Day 2024
Hyderabad: Medak Cathedral, one of South India’s most visited churches, will celebrate its centenary on December 25, 2024. Built by Charles Walker Posnett of the British Wesleyan Methodists, the cathedral was consecrated on December 25, 1924, after nearly a decade of construction. It is the largest diocese in Asia and the second-largest in the world, after the Vatican.
The cathedral is located 85 kilometers from Hyderabad, in the region that was once part of the Nizam’s Dominion. The village of Gulshanabad, now Medak, was known for its flower cultivation along the Pasuperu rivulet. Predominantly Muslim, the village earned its name, meaning "place of flowers," due to its vibrant flora.
The transformation of Gulshanabad into Medak began in 1896 with the arrival of Methodist missionaries, including Posnett, who would have a lasting impact on the area. Prior missionary efforts in Hyderabad in 1879 laid the groundwork for outreach to villages like Gulshanabad.
In 1896, Posnett, along with his sister Emilie and friend Sarah Harris, began their work in the village. They faced immediate challenges, including a devastating famine and widespread diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and cholera. The missionaries responded by distributing rice to the local population, a gesture that earned the region the name “Medak,” derived from the local term for cooked rice. Their mission focused on humanitarian work rather than conversion, aiming to uplift the community through service.
The missionaries’ efforts led to the construction of the Medak Cathedral and the establishment of schools and healthcare institutions. Their work in education, healthcare, and social reform has had a lasting impact on the region.
Recently, the Telangana government approved Rs 29.18 crore in funding for the cathedral. In gratitude, Christian communities in the area showered flowers on the photographs of Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, Minister Mynampally Hanumanth Rao, and MLA Dr. Mynampally Rohith Rao, also offering milk as a token of thanks.