St. Matthias Church, Vepery

       St.Matthias Church,  Vepery.  This was originally a Catholic Church constructed by Armenian Merchant  Coja Petrus Uscan around 1730s and was his private chapel. After the  rendition of Madras to British in 1749 the  British thought that the Catholics aided the  French and removed them from the Fort except Uscan and Madeiros the  Portuguese.  The  Catholic Church inside the Fort on the  North side was also demolished.  After the death of  Uscan in 1751 the  Vepery church was taken over by SPCK a Danish  Mission. Extensive repairs alterations were made to this  church  in 1821-22 and it was consecrated as an Anglican  Church. The  East India Company  govt. also  chipped in with some money. Coja Petrus  Uscan was buried in the  church yard after his death in  1751. Some of the streets in Vepery like Hunters Road,  Jeremiah  Road and Rotlers Street  are named after the Prebysters of the  church.  It is also said Robert Clives marriage was solemnised here by Fabricious  a German missionary.

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