13/03/2020
Dear Brothers, Sisters, Friends, relatives and strangers not,
Greetings,
Let me begin by recalling to mind the pride of the family, the pride of the entire Old Thanjavur District, why, the pride of the entire Tamil race, Rao Bahadur Sir A.T. Pannir Selvam. The immense work done by him towards social and educational upliftment of the downtrodden and those then considered lowly is too large to be encapsulated in a few lines. He was to take up the appointment as a member of the Advisory Board to the Secretary of State for India, at London, when he tragically was lost on the 1st of March 1940. Periyar observed that while he had not wept at the loss of his mother, wife and other family members, he could not stop weeping at the loss of Sir A.T.P since while the other losses were his own, the loss of Sir A.T.P was the loss of the Tamil race, Dr.Kalaignar in a few of his last public speeches observed that he had never witnessed a people’s wave as that created by Sir A.T.P. But I digress. Despite his hectic schedule of public work and causes, Sir A.T.P. considered it appropriate and found time to put up a small church at Selvapuram and dedicate it to St. Theresa of Leucine, Little Flower of the Heart of Jesus, in 1934. The feast of St. Thresa has been observed every year in the month of May. The Church built by Sir A.T.P was renovated in his birth centenary year 1988 under the watchful eye of his eldest son Late Mr.L.G. Selvam. Despite continued efforts to maintain the structure, Engineers now tell us that it no longer will be possible to do so.
Hence, we at Selvapuram and those of us who are more frequently here found the need to have put up an entirely new Church. We have approached His Grace Right Rev. Devadas Ambrose, Bishop of Thanjavur and a church contribution of Rs. 25.2 lakhs have been allotted. Construction of the new church is to begin.
The building plan has been drawn up and while, as far as possible, maintaining the beautiful front design and elevation of the old church, we hope to have a structure 60 feet in length and 20 feet in breadth, towards housing not only the Mass Hall p***e but also a small sacristy and dwelling quarter for a Priest.
The cost, we learn, would be upwards of Rs. 60,00,000/-. While we penning this note have made/are making our small contributions, we humbly call upon you to do so as well and support the cause. Allow me to be a little impudent and request the retired amongst us to dip a little into your life’s savings and make an investment in the afterlife and for those who still earn, may much more come your way from day to day and blessings too as you give away.
Contributions to be made in favour of:
Name: Parish Priest OLV Church
Savings Bank Account No: 104901000016630
Bank: Indian Overseas Bank
Branch Name: Kankalancherry
IFSC: IOBA0001049
Thanking you,
Sd. Mr.Yesuraj & Justice.C.T.Selvam
