Missionary Research Library collection on the inauguration of the Church of South India, or "A Church is Born", 1947 -- 1948, circa 2013

Collection context

Creator:
Foreign Missions Conference of North America and Missionary Research Library (New York, N.Y.)
Abstract:
This collection, compiled by the MRL, contains filmstrips and commentary on the Church of South India's inauguration in 1947, as well as CD copies. This film and commentary, entitled "A Church Is Born" and presented by the India Committee of the Foreign Missions Conference of North America (FMCNA), provides a brief overview of the history of Christian missions to India, explains the appeal for unity amongst Protestant denominations in India, and shows the inauguration of the Church of South India.
Extent:
0.25 linear feet (0.25 linear feet; 1 box)
Language:
English .
Scope and content:

This collection contains filmstrips and commentary on the Church of South India's inauguration in 1947, as well as CD copies. This film and commentary, entitled "A Church Is Born" and presented by the India Committee of the Foreign Missions Conference of North America (FMCNA), provides a brief overview of the history of Christian missions to India, explains the appeal for unity amongst Protestant denominations in India, and shows the inauguration of the Church of South India.

Biographical / historical:

The Foreign Missions Conference of North America (FMCNA) was a voluntary ecumenical association through which foreign mission boards consulted with one another in planning, united action, and the administration of joint projects. The activities of FMCNA were carried out through committees that were primarily organized around specific geographic areas. Discussions concerning a union amongst Protestant denominations in India began in 1919 at a conference in Tranquebar (now Tarangambadi), but the union was not completed until after India gained independence from Britain. After nearly twenty-nine years of negotiation among Anglican, Wesleyan (Methodist), Reformed, Presbyterian, and Congregationalist church leaders, the Church of South India was inaugurated on September 27, 1947. The Church of South India is currently the largest Protestant church in India, with twenty-two dioceses, its own prayer book, and its own communion service that draws from several denominational sources. The reconciliation it reached between Anglicans and other denominations on the doctrine of apostolic succession is often cited as a landmark in the ecumenical movement.

Access and use

Restrictions:

This collection is open for research.

Onsite storage.

Terms of access:

Some material in this collection may be protected by copyright and other rights. Information concerning copyright, fair use, and reproduction requests can be consulted at Columbia's Copyright Advisory Office.

Preferred citation:

Item description, MRL3: Missionary Research Library collection on the inauguration of the Church of South India, or "A Church is Born", box #, folder #, The Burke Library at Union Theological Seminary, Columbia University in the City of New York.

Location of this collection:
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Contact:
burke@library.columbia.edu