The 173rd formation day celebrations of Andhra Evangelical Lutheran Church (AELC) were celebrated with gaiety on the premises of Andhra Christian College here on Thursday.
It was on this day back in 1842, a US pastor Rev. John Christian Frederick Heyer set foot in Guntur to establish the church.
ParishesWith the help of then collector, Henry Stokes, Fr. Heyer began to expand the church building new parishes. But it was in the field of education and healthcare, that Fr. Heyer left an indelible mark. Together with Kugler, he established Kugler Hospital.
He began an Anglo Vernacular School which later blossomed into A.C College.
In a fitting tribute, a bust size bronze portrait of Fr. Heyer along with two other portraits of Rev Martin Luther, founder of protestant movement and H. Wolf, another missionary who served in AC College were unveiled on the AC College premises.
Remembering the contributions of missionaries who had pioneered education and health, National Council of Churches in India, Bishop Taranath S. Sagar said that the founding fathers of AELC had God’s love, mercy and compassion which had motivated them to leave all their belongings and set sail to India.
They braved the torrid heat, the tropical infections to work for the glory of God and set up schools, colleges and hospitals.
Executive secretary, UELCI and treasurer of Rev. A.G Augustine Jeyakumar, moderator bishop, AELC K.F Pradesi Babu, Bishop of Guntur Gali Bali, Principal of AC College P. Mutyam were present.
