150-Member Choir Mesmerises Baptist Church On 150th Anniversary Fete

Hyderabad: Choirs raised their voices in celebration as the 150-year-old Centenary Baptist Church at Secunderabad Clock Tower marked its second centenary. At the special Worship Night held on Saturday evening as part of the celebrations, a choir of 150 people fascinated the congregation with violins, percussion and keyboards.

The theme for the night, ‘Praise the Lord, O my soul, and do not forget all his blessings’, is taken from the Psalms.

Founded in 1875, the church completed its 150th anniversary on December 14. The grand celebration was attended by church members, former congregation members and many prominent Christian leaders. Some distinguished leaders were congratulated by the organizing committee.

Rev. Samaresh Nayak, general secretary of the National Council of Baptist Churches in India, delivered the message on the occasion. The church was completely filled.

Senior choirmaster Jacob Prabhu, who served as the church’s choirmaster in the 1970s, was also there. His contributions were remembered fondly. Prabhu had conducted the choir during the visit of famous evangelist Billy Graham and had also worked with international evangelist Akbar Abdul Haqq. At the age of 86, he performed one of his own compositions and received great applause.

The choir’s hymn selection received great appreciation from the congregation. The church resonated with timeless classics, including “Abide With Me,” written by Scottish clergyman Henry Francis Lyte in 1847 as he lay dying of tuberculosis. Inspired by the repeated words of his dying friend William Le Hunte, Lyte wrote the hymn as a prayer for God’s presence throughout life and death. Although Lyte composed the first tune, the widely sung tune “Eventide” was composed by William Henry Monk fourteen years later, in 1861. Choir members introduced each hymn with a brief description of its history.

Soprano Swetha Şalom, who has been training rigorously for more than two months, said that it was a great honor to be a part of the choir at the 150th anniversary celebrations of the church.

The choir also sang the much-loved hymn “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” written by Isaac Watts in 1714 during a time of religious upheaval in England. Quoting the words of Psalm 90, the hymn contrasts the brevity of human life with the infinite presence of God.

Choir director Amruth Samuel Paul said the 150-strong team was “practicing religion” for the event. He added that the choir will continue to perform at the church throughout the Christmas season and during all special services.