The CSI Wesley Tamil Church at St. Thomas Mount traces its roots back 200 years when the Wesleyan Methodist Missionary Society began its work in Madras. In 1819, a Native School was established by Rev. James Lynch at St. Thomas Mount. On Sundays, missionaries preached the Gospel in both English and Tamil in the large room of the school. In the Wesleyan Chapel, built in 1829, the English and Tamil congregations worshipped for many years.
A significant milestone occurred in May 1860, when Rev. Josiah Evers was appointed as the first resident Tamil minister. The congregation continued to grow in faith and number, and eventually the Wesley Tamil Church was built and dedicated in 1935 on Butt Road. Wesleyans established schools, orphanages, training institutes, girls’ hostels, and healthcare facilities. Over the years the church has grown into a vibrant member of the CSI Madras Diocese, and continues to evangelize and serve the community through education and social service. In 2025, the church has been renovated, preserving its deep-rooted heritage structure while extending the space to accommodate the increased number of worshippers.
