About Christ Church Chapra in Chapra, P.O. - Bangaljhi, Dist. - Nadia, WB, Chapra

The ‘CHURCH MISSIONARY SOCIETY’ [CMS] under the CHURCH OF ENGLAND landed on the shore of Bengal [now West Bengal] and started their missionary work in Katowa, Burdwan [the district town of Burdwan district] and in the district of Nadia. Late in the year 1838, they started the construction of the churches, schools and other charitable Institutions here. In 1839 the German Missionaries under the leadership of Rev. C. Cruckeberg with the famous educationist Mr. P. Ansorge started the missionary work at Chapra, then a small village in the district of Nadia. The Missionaries baptized and converted about 558 villagers and established ‘CHRIST CHURCH’ at Chapra during the years between 1839 and 1857. They were known as the first Christians of the place. The Church Building completed and open for all on 31st March 1941.
Years rolled by and the work of preaching the ‘Good News’ took new dimension. The dedication and Christian love of the successors for the last 100 years attracted more people to receive Christ as their savior, and Church flourished rapidly. But the socio-economic set-up of the people has not yet been improved remarkably as most Christians here belong to day-labor class and farmers. But their co-operation in all church activities is unquestionable. Their sincerity, faithfulness and fellow feeling have been treasured and the church has no difficulties or hindrances in any sphere.
After the Diocese of Barrackpore came to exist in 1956, The Christ Church, Chapra came under Diocese of Barrackpore, Church Of North India. The descendants Bishops of Barrackpore from its origin are –
1.Rt. Rev. Brayen
2.Rt. Rev. Dinesh Chandra Gorai
3.Rt. Rev. Samar Bairagi
4.Rt. Rev. Brojen Malakar
The present officiating Bishop is Rt. Rev. Brojen Malakar, who had served this church at Chapra as Pastor of this pastorate. We are proud of him too.
Besides education, under the patronage of Christ Church, Chapra, many Health Service Centres, Vocational Training Centres, Agricultural Development Centres, Small and cottage Industries had been established in the beginning. The Church had organized ‘Guru’ Training, Architectural Training as parts of vocational education as well as ‘Lokmela’ namely ‘KHRISTIO PRADORSHONI –O– MELA’ [A traditional fair of Bengal at Christmas] for the entertainment of the people in the area. The fair has already completed its 100 years, It has encouraged and took active role in spreading ‘Female education’ in the locality. Christian folk songs in Bengali have, perhaps, been widely contributed by the community of the Christ Church. The Church can boast of having 65 – 70 ordained priests and the first Bengali Bishop, Rt. Rev. Shishir Kumar Tarafdar, who is the son of the soil.
The Church Missionary Society [CMS], foundation stone laid on 31st March 1841, but the first worship was offered on 25th December 1843. The list of Presbyter-in-charges will show the names of the honorable dignitaries who, during the pre-independence period, with their untiring service, dedication and missionary zeal have been guiding the flock of the Lord.
1.1841 Rev. Deerr
2.1842 Rev. C. Kruckeberg
3.1858 Rev. S. Hasell
4.1867 Rev. T. Scurr
5.1873 Rev. S. Neele
6.1876 Rev. E. K. Blumhardt
7.1878 Rev. J. Vaughan
8.1882 Rev. A. Clifford
9.1886 Rev. P. M. Rudra
10.1889 Rev. G. H. Parsons
11. 1892 Rev. C. H. Bradburn
12. 1892 Rev. C. H. Bradburn
13. 1906 Rev. V. Kamcke
14. 1911 Rev. F. N. Didsbury
15. 1914 Rev. J. H. Hickinbotham
16. 1935 Rev. G. F. Cranswick
17. 1938 Rev. P. J. Heaton
18. 1940 Rev. J. E. Jones
19. 1943 Rev. F. Ryrie
20. 1945 Rev. C. H. Lloyd
21. 1945 Rev. J. E. Jones
22. 1947 Rev. Jonathon Mondal
23. 1947 Rev. H.D.B. Harford
After the Independence, the Indian Pastors took up the responsibility to make the church run keeping pace with the time and holding high the flag of salvation with their predecessors.
24. 1956 Rev. J.E. Jones
25. 1958 Rev. Nityaprasad Mondal
26. 1958 Rev. Nityananda Sarkar
27. 1962 Rev. Sirish Chandra Mondal
28. 1966 Rev. P.C. Ari
29. 1967 Rev. Rabindra Nath Biswas
30. 1971 Rev. Hiralal Halder
31. 1971 Rev. Sadhan Mondal
32. 1972 Rev. Sudhansu Kumar Ghosh
33. 1974 Rev. Nilmoni Mondal
34. 1978 Rev. Brojen Malakar
35. 1981 Rev. Pratul Chandra Ari
36. 1987 Rev. Honok Mondal
37. 1989 Rev. Girindra Mondal
38. 1990 Rev. Dipankar Haldar
39. 1993 Rev. Subrata Chackraborty
40. 1995 Rev. Debotosh Haldar
41. 1996 Rev. Miran Mondal
42. 2002 Rev. Subrata Chackraborty
43. 2004 Rev. Tapas Biswas
46. 2007 Rev. Manas Kumar Rong
47. 2009 Rev. Arabingo Mondal
Asst. Rev. Tapas Biswas
48. 2011 Rev. Anup Lee
Asst. Rev. Swapan Mondal
49. 2014 Rev. Anup Lee
Asst. Rev. Subhash Patra
Asst. Rev. Sujoy Kr. Biswas
Asst. Dn. Nilanjan Biswas