AUTONOMOUS - Madras Christian College

QUARTOSEPTCENTENNIAL SPECIAL SOUVENIRThanksgiving Service on the175th Founders’ Day of MadrasChristian CollegeThe Founders’ Day of Madras Christian College wascelebrated on 3 rd April, 2012. It began with a ThanksgivingService at 12 noon in the Anderson Hall at MCC. A formerPrincipal of Madras Christian College Late Dr M Abel deliveredthe Founders’ Day message. He reminded the audience of theheart rending efforts made by Rev. John Anderson to bringeducation to Chennai. “All this is because of the seed sownby Rev. Anderson. Every brick that has gone into the campusrepresents tears and hard work” he said. The illustrations,prayer, worship and hymns, created an ambience that madethe assembled pay wholehearted homage to the founders onthis very special occasion.Dr Paul Sabapathy, Chairman of NHS Birmingham East andNorth, and Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of West Midland,and also an illustrious alumnus of Madras ChristianCollege, shared reminiscences of his student days in thecollege. He spoke of his visions and suggestions regardingthe betterment of the college and also briefed on howMCC inculcates qualities of team work, leadership, selfconfidence, communication and organizational skills. “Wehave a great alumnus, we need to play our part,” he said,while announcing his decision to donate ten lakh rupees tohis alma mater in memory of his late mother.Following this a thanksgiving service was held at the St.Andrew’s Kirk church in Egmore, Chennai, the place wherethe institution took its nascent steps. Dr K Joshua, facultyand the co-author of the book ‘Life and Legacy of MadrasChristian College’, gave a talk on how the college has grownover the years. The teachers and students of the college alsomade a visit to Rev. Anderson’s tomb. The Principal paid richtributes to Mrs. & Rev. Anderson and called for dedication ofMCC family members of today.Dr. Kalapati Joshua recalled how and where Rev. JohnAnderson landed in Madras for the first time and how he wascarried from the Marina beach in a palanquin to the houseof Matthew Bowie, who quite possibly lived on the churchcampus. He also mentioned that it was indeed very fittingthat the thanksgiving service was happening in the verysame place.He concluded by remembering the founders from a historicpoint of view. He stated that our ultimate Founder has alwaysbeen, and will ever be the God Almighty quoting Dr. Boyd, “IfJesus had not been born in this world, died and rose againand there would not have been Madras Christian College inTambaram today”.Praise and worship session was held at the tomb of Rev.Anderson which was visited by the staff of Madras ChristianCollege and other dignitaries.Dr.Paul Sabapathy at the lectern, also are seen LateDr.Abel, Former Principal and the PrincipalService at the Kirk33