English Church Choir, Kozhikode, celebrates Choir Reunion Day

160-year-old CSI St. Mary’s English Church Choir in Kozhikode has an enviable history. The church was built for the English gentlemen, both civilian and military officials, and their families stationed in Calicut. In the early days, the church was under the Madras Chaplaincy. The British troops were stationed in Kannur (then Cannanore) and Thalassery (then Tellicherry), too far away from Calicut (now Kozhikode) where violent unrest often took place between local communities. 

This necessitated shifting of the military personnel to Calicut. Sunday services for the English congregation were then conducted in the German Mission Chapel and later on in a room in the Collector’s Office, locally referred to as “Huzur Kachery” at Mananchira. 

After deliberations, the Archdeacon of Madras suggested the building of a new church and the English Church came up at Nadakkavu, a place in between Mananchira and the military barracks at West Hill (foundation stone laid on 8th June 1863 and the church consecrated on 28th September 1864). By then (1856), Calicut had been made a separate chaplaincy. 

Forty-five English gentlemen served at the church including Rev. W. W. Lutyens, Rev. J. Mckee, Rev. Gibson and Rev. Frank Penny before they gave way to Indian priests in due course of time. Rev. P. C. Thomas was the first Malayalee priest. 

CSI St. Mary’s English Church in Kozhikode.

When India became independent in 1947, the church was handed over to the Church of South India. St. Mary’s English Church is one of five such English churches in North Kerala and Malabar, the others being: St. John’s Church in Kannur, St. John’s Church in Thalassery, Christ Church in Malappuram and Holy Trinity Church in Palakkad thus becoming parts of CSI North Kerala Diocese and now affiliated to Malabar Diocese after bifurcation of North Kerala Diocese into Kochi and Malabar Dioceses. 

Information on the functioning of a British choir is not available but it is presumed that a choir existed at the church in those days. Records say that an organ was donated by Mrs. Ballard, the wife of the then Collector. A 1929 model Mannborg Organ is still maintained by the church and this must have been made available as a replacement for the donated one at some point in history.

Several illustrious men have been at the helm of the church choir, either as choir masters or organists. Mr. John Mackadan is the earliest on record as having been the organist and choir master from 1910 to 1940, his daughter Mrs. Ivy Raghavaiah and grandson Mr. Jayaprakash Raghavaiah at later dates. Mr. K. W. Kurian, his son Mr. George Kurien and his son Mr. Kurien G. Kurien later on, Ms. Maggie David, Mr. John Joshua, Mr. R. Rajiva, Ms. Rachel Jacob, Mr. Manohar Gnanaolive and Prof. Raju George have served as organists. 
Prof. Alexander Seth (son of the late Rt. Rev. Dr. K. C. Seth, Bishop in North Kerala Diocese) is the present organist. Master Ayush Melvin Sharath and Master Jhonath Pradeep are two budding organists.

Mr. K. C. Thomas, Mr. John Verghese, Mr. R. H. Thomas, Mr. Hector Julius Raj (a descendant of Mossa Vatsalam Sasthriyar) and Mr. Thomas Kuryan (brother of Mr. George Kurien) served as choir masters during 1940-1980. George Joseph continues to be the choir master since 1980. Mr. Anzil P. Edwin is the Choir Secretary.

The idea of a get-together for the past and present choristers was in the air for more than six years and a WhatsApp group by the name “CHOIR REUNION” was formed for all the choristers to come together on a common platform since many of them are working at various places around the globe. As of now, there are 209 members in the group and many more are still to come in.

Thus the “CHOIR REUNION” came to fruition on Tuesday 16th July 2024. More than 160 members said “YES” to the invitation. 130 of them attended the event. The others, mostly outstation residents, were unable to join due to inclement weather. 

REUNION started with the celebration of Holy Eucharist, led by Rev. Dr. T. I. James, Vicar and Chairman, Rev. Thomas P. Korah (retired pastor), Rev. T. J. Joseph, Vicar, CSI Christ Church, Malappuram, Rev. Joby George, Vicar, CSI St. Barnabas Church, Chakkittapara, and Mr. Milton Raj, pastoral assistant. 

Following the service, the choristers, pastors and family members went in procession to the parish hall and had a photo session followed by mass choir singing of the Malayalam version of “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name” and “Hallelujah Chorus (Handel’s Messiah). Live streaming of the event was enabled for the benefit of those who could not attend.

Tributes were paid to those “Dears departed” by observing a two-minute silence. Sharing of memories started with the choir master presenting the past choir masters and organists. Several members, including a few from abroad, shared their memories of the golden days they had spent with the church choir. The session further continued after a sumptuous lunch, interspersed with the singing of favourite hymns. Those who shared memories were mostly nostalgic, elated and occasionally growing emotional. 

At 4 pm, the gathering came together for a business session to discuss the possibility of taking up a few projects that may create genuine social impact. A few very good suggestions came from the floor which were accepted for detailed discussion and implementation. The next “CHOIR REUNION” was decided to be held in 2026. 

The programme came to a close at 5 pm. The mass choir sang the famous hymns: “The day Thou gavest, Lord is ended” and “Day is dying in the west” (Evening Praise). 

Prayer and Benediction were offered by Rev James. Then it was ‘Goodbyes’ with the fervent hope and prayer to meet again in 2026.