St. Andrew's Church, popularly known as THE KIRK,was built and dedicated in the year 1821 for Christian Worship for the members of the Church of Scotland resident in Madras (now Chennai). The members were mostly Scotsmen from the British Army stationed in Madras and hence the Church came to be popularly known by its Scottish name KIRK.

Consequent to a petition made by the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland to the British Parliament in 1812, The Board of Directors of the East India Company resolved to add the Church of Scotland Ministers to the body of their Chaplains in India. Dr. John Alan was appointed as the first Chaplain to the Scottish community in Madras. He arrived in 1813 to begin his work. By virtue of the power delegated to him by the General Assembly, Dr. Alan chose the following gentlemen to be the first Elders of the Kirk Session: Robert Fullerton, David Hill, Darlymple and Taggart. Robert Fullerton was a member of the Council, David Hill was a Secretary to the Government, Darlymple and Taggart were both merchants. These men were ordained to the office of Elder on 1st September 1815 and the Madras Kirk Session was constituted in 1816.

Dr. John Alan constituted a Church of Scotland Congregation in the city, for which a Church was built and opened for worship as St. Andrew's Church on 25th February 1821. Legal status was granted to it by the Kirk Session Act XXIII of 1899 and ratified by the Indian Parliament after Independence and gazetted by the Government of India on 1-5-1969.

The buildings and lands of the Church at Egmore have been in possession of the Church since 1815. The buildings and the site were maintained by the Ecclesiastical Department of the Government of India until 31st March 1948. With the winding up of the Ecclesiastical Department, the Government of India decided to transfer the title to the Church authorities on condition that they took charge of the maintenance. The Church authorities have been maintaining the buildings and the site since 1949.

Through its centuries' old existence, not only has the Church building stood out as an edifice of the grandeur of old British architecture, but the Congregation also has stood out in its zeal to obey God's great command and great Commission. The organizational structure, its freedom and autonomy in administration and its freedom in worship have greatly contributed towards this and enabled the growth of the Church and its readiness in responding to the various calls of service in the mission for Christ empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The Kirk Session is therefore committed to protecting and perpetuating its Presbyterian tradition, the structure, the property, the institutional forms, the freedom and autonomy of governance and the freedom of worship of this Church. The Kirk Session has a responsibility to hold this heritage in 'trust' for the members, people around us and those who would come after us generation after generation.

Church government and Presbyterianism

As a Presbyterian church, it is governed by elders and ministers (collectively called presbyters). The chairperson of the Kirk Session is known as the 'Moderator', the moderator is normally the parish minister. The Moderator does not enjoy any special powers or privileges and is in no sense the leader or official spokesperson of the Kirk.

The control and management of St. Andrew's Church (The Kirk) including finance, property and all other matters are by the KIRK SESSION which is the duly constituted authority.

The KIRK SESSION is a body of duly Dedicated / Ordained and commissioned Elders and is a statutory body recognized as an ecclesiastical and legal entity by the parliament, vide Kirk Session Act XXIII of 1899 which has also been ratified by the Indian Parliament after independence and gazetted by the Government of India on 01-05-1969.

The Session functions as an Ecclesiastical Court and also as a body called to direct the whole lifestyle of the congregation.

Full responsibility of the spiritual and temporal welfare of the church and the congregation is taken by the Kirk Session along with the Presbyter

The Kirk Session has three office bearers, the Chairman (the Presbyter), the Secretary and the Treasurer. All the members of the Session are equals with only the Presbyter being treated as first among equals.

The various activities of the church are managed by different sub-committees appointed and as delegated by the Kirk Session for specific period of time and specific works. Each Committee has its office bearers and other members who are fully dedicated to the task they have accepted for the benefit of the underprivileged and for the glory of God.

The church office has two sections - the Administrative and the Accounts managed by one Administrator, one Cashier, two Senior Assistants and two Assistants. In addition outdoor and maintenance works are managed by one Supervisor and four Gardeners.

Each Project also has its own office staff to take care of their office and field work.

The Church has a total number of 68 staff members employed for Church work and Projects works.

Presbyterianism

The St. Andrew's Church's governing system is Presbyterian. That means that no one person or group within the Church has more influence or say than any other.

The Church does not have one person who acts as the head of faith, as that role is the Lord God's. Its supreme rule of faith and life is through the teachings of the Bible.

Organisation Chart

List of Presbyters

Landmark

ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH: "The Best Designed Church in Chennai"

Sten Nilson in his book, European Architecture in India 1750-1850 writes, "From an artistic point of view, St .Andrew's is undoubtedly the best designed church in Chennai". He further writes," The building was set in a large compound surrounded by a wall but with facades visible from various directions. The facade on the chancel side has striking ornamentation; on the pediment two enormous lions flank national emblems, and beneath them the writing on the frieze reads: AUSPICIO REGIS ET SENATUS ANGLIAE.

Unique Architecture - on 150 wells stand 16 pillars and an annular arch... All to edify the glory

The order is Iconic, after a Roman pattern with elaborate ornamentation. Details such as coffered ceiling in the portico, the acanthus fillings in the capitals and the fret ornaments on the frieze are particularly striking. The interior is magnificient. The columns supporting the dome stand on a chequered black and white floor.

This is not just a description of the Church yesterday, but also of today. This valuable legacy has fallen into our hands. Fortunately it has fallen into hands of love and care so that with much effort, great sacrifice and a good deal of thinking and work, we have been able to fully repair and redecorate it.