Karnataka Central Diocese
| Diocese of Karnataka Central Diocese | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Country | India |
| Ecclesiastical province | Church of South India |
| Statistics | |
| Congregations | 120 |
| Information | |
| Cathedral | St. Mark's Cathedral, Bangalore |
| Current leadership | |
| Bishop | Rt.Rev Dr. Prasana Kumar Samuel |
| Website | |
| www.csitakcd.com | |
The Central Karnataka Diocese is one of the twenty-two dioceses of the Church of South India covering the central part of Karnataka.
The year 1810 witnessed the arrival of the first ever Protestant missionary, the Rev. John Hands of London Missionary Society at Bellary, Karnataka State (erstwhile Mysore). During the later part of 19th century also witnessed the arrival of other missionary societies such as the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society (1821) Basel Mission (1834), the society of propagation of the Gospel and the Church Missionary Society. Except for the Basel Mission, the other Missions became part of the South Indian United Church (SIUC) which came into existence in 1908. The South Indian United Church (SIUC) was formed and sustained by the efforts of the Rev. Vedam Santiago of Madurai. When he envisioned the formation of the Church of South India a number of hurdles had to be crossed including those of caste. The Anglican Bishop Azariah was approached by Rev. V Santiago and persuaded to be a leading force in the bringing together of the varied churches in South India. Thus it was that Rev. V Santiago along with other SIUC leaders brought about the Church of South India under the later leadership of Bishop Azariah. When the Church of South India was formally inaugurated in 1947, Mysore Diocese was one of fourteen dioceses.Acceding to a proposal made by the Synod in 1964 to create smaller dioceses to provide better administration, the Diocese in 1969 approved the scheme for dividing the Diocese into three units. As a result of this division,the Central Karnataka diocese came into existence on 1 May 1970, on trifurcation of the then Mysore diocese.
Under the leadership of Bishop Norman C Sargant, the Mysore Diocese was trifurcated and the Mysore Central Diocese came into being in the year 1970. When Mysore was renamed as Karnataka then the Diocese also changed its name from Mysore Central Diocese to Karnataka Central Diocese.
The diocese has around 120 pastorates covering three major divisions viz Bangalore, Kolar Gold Fields and Tumkur.Rt. Rev. Dr. Prasana Kumar Samuel is the current bishop of the diocese.
St. Mark's Cathedral was founded in 1808 and was completed in 1812. The Bishop of Calcutta consecrated this Cathedral in 1816. This Cathedral is a beautiful colonial structure having a graceful dome over a semicircular chancel.Roman archers along the walls are one of the most beautiful features of the Cathedral.This cathedral was modeled along the lines of the 17th-century St Pauls Cathedral. The entrance has elaborate woodwork and ornate carvings coupled with majestically done ceilings and domes. The monument was enlarged in 1901 and rebuilt in 1927. The new structure is known for its stained glass work.The church is named after St.Mark, the author of St. Mark's gospel.
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