Like Christians across the world, a tiny population of Christians will attend Easter Sunday service next weekend, at the Centenary Episcopal Methodist Church on Grant Road. Except, the prayer, song and sharing will be in Gujarati

Residents of Virar and Dombivali come here too," Rev. Bharat Solanki, resident pastor at the Centenary Episcopal Methodist Church on Shaukat Ali Road, tells you, even as you grapple with the newfound discovery of regional disparities and choices. The church that was started by missionary William Taylor, who came from Ceylon, now holds together a family of nearly 450 followers.





Nestled in a bustling section on Grant Road, the Centenary Episcopal Methodist Church is a toughie to track.

Except for its towering gate, the outer fau00c3u0083u00c2u0083u00c3u0082u00c2u0083u00c3u0083u00c2u0082u00c3u0082u00c2u00a7ade belies what lies within. Luckily, the strains of the choir ensure you are led in the right direction, through a courtyard that houses homes for the pastor and caretakers. The English influence on the design of this church built in 1878, is unmistakable, displaying a fusion of Neo Classical and Indo Saracenic styles.

The morning we visited, Sunday service was in session. The mood within was a mix of solemnity and celebration. The church was nearly full, with 150 members carrying a prayer on their lips, as they held on to every word of Rev. Solanki. Advice, prayer, song, sharing and meditation, all in Gujarati. The Reverend spoke of Easter preparations, not just of the material kind but of inner peace and healing, even as a family of Vaghelas, Parmars and Sarkarias hung on to the Alleluias and Hosannas. As it turns out, the Sunday school, choir, women's cell and pastorate committee ensure that every section of this community is well represented.

Cottage to church
The early 1800s were tough. Methodists congregated in cottages of followers, Dhobi Talao's Framjee Cawasjee Hall, and a hall on Falkland Road. In the 1870s, services were conducted in Marathi. Soon, the number of Gujarati-speaking Christians swelled, and by 1873, a Gujarati service began. Finally, two Parsis from Gujarat -- Merwanji Mehta and Manekji Modi -- bought land where the church stands, raised the capital and gave this community a roof for prayer. On November 26, 1878, Bishop Thomas Bowman laid the foundation of the First Methodist Church of Bombay. By the turn of the century, people from all over Gujarat had settled in Bombay, and soon, became part of the fold.