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1901 --357 Lutherans who migrated to Malaya were found by Rev.T.Joseph of TELC who later 1902 --Rev.Gerching of Leipzig Evangelical Lutheran Mission came to Singapore in 1902 to take survey of the Tamil Lutherans in Malaya . 1903 --1905--During these years as there had been no organized Lutheran congregations,many Tamil Lutherans attended worship in other churches and a considerable number joined other denominations. There were a number, however, remained strong in their loyalty to the Lutheran Church. The Lutherans were willing to support and attend the new church, but not to become full members. For a time, Lutherans in Kuala Lumpur attended the Anglican Church and later the Methodist Tamil Church on Malacca Street . Rev. Vedavanam (Anglican) and Rev.S.Abraham (Methodist) cared for their spiritual needs. As the years passed, they grew, and by the time they had reached 70 in number they thought of establishing a Church of their own. Reports of missionary visits and request from Malaya no doubt generated interest back in India. 1906 --On 11 November, Rev. Pamperrien of the Leipzig Lutheran Mission visited Malaya to
1909 --On 2 June a piece of land was purchased for construction of Zion church with money 1910--1925 --Rev. Matthes apparently left Penang . During the next fifteen years, the attention and work in Kuala Lumpur was directed to towards the building of the church.Rev. Matthews was replaced by Rev. Traugott Ruger, another German missionary from India.The outbreak of World War 1 resulted in Rev. T. Ruger being called back after a brief ministry inMalaysia. The enormous task of providing pastoral care for the Tamil Lutherans nation-widebecame the responsibility of Rev.T.Joseph who was based in Kuala Lumpur . Pastor Josephreturned to India and was replaced by Rev. Swamimuthu Muthusami on 11 November 1921. On 11 November 1922, the Foundation stone for Zion Church was laid by Bishop E.Heuman (FirstBishop of Tranquebar). On 30 November 1924, Rev.J.Sandegren dedicated the Zion Churchbuilding (President of the CSM in South India , later 3rd Bishop of Tranquebar) 1926-1936 --Among actions recorded in 1927-28, it was announced that a Bishop had been consecrated in India . From that time on the Lutheran church in Kuala Lumpur (and the rest of Malaya ) was to be affiliated once again with the German Mission. Another action was of importance to the future of Lutheran work in Singapore . The lands in Singapore willed to the church in the care of the Bishop of Tranquebar by a lady named Periyanayagam Amman were accepted. Provost Rev. T.Menner from India visited in 1928. The Pastorate Conference(Meeting of the Congregation) accepted the constitution of the TELC with financial autonomy. On 16 January 1936, resolutions for the full affiliation of the Zion church(congregation) with the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran Church in India were passed. "Financial autonomy" refers to the fact that the Malayan Church (at least the Southern Circle) decided it would manage its own finance without commitment to India , and that travelling expenses for pastors coming from and returning to India would be paid by the TELC. 1937-1951 --In 1937, the premises at 533 Dato Kramat Road in Penang was acquired from the Methodist Church . There were two wooden structures on the premises; a house used as parsonage, and a school building which had housed the Anglo-Chinese Primary School . Lutherans in Penang orshipped regularly in this school. The work among the aborigines also received attention from the Northern Circle . They resolved in May of 1941 to contribute ten dollars monthly through the ecretary in Kuala Lumpur . It was also decided that a donation from the members should be collected once a year for this project. "The Pastors in Penang and Kuala Lumpur were asked to impart spiritual help to the aborigines and supervise the work being discharged by the Batak Mission agents there". The work among the so called " Sakai or Senoi" (the aboriginal peoples of the central highlands), was done by Mr.B.W.F Napitopoeloe and other Bataks from the neighbouring church in Sumatra . It was an independant work, but through contact with the Lutherans, their interest was drawn into the project. Shortly, after the reoccupation by the British in 1945, pastors from both Northern and Southern Circles returned to India . With the absence of a Pastor over a year in Kuala Lumpur , heavy responsibilities fell upon the laymen. The Malayan Christian Council (MCC) was organized in January 1948 to bring together the Christian forces in Malaya for consultation on all matters concerning the good of its people and for common action when such action is desired and to promote in every way commitment and co-operation among. Christian bodies of the country. On 30 November 1949 the Silver Jubilee of Zion Cathedral was celebrated with Bishop Sandegren conducting the Eucharist. 1952-1960 --From 26-29 March 1952, the First Southeast Asian Lutheran Consultation Conference was held in Penang . Its primary objective was to find ways and means for expanding the missionary work in Malaya . In this consultation, indeed, minutes from the Penang consultations declare, "It was decided to form an independent Evangelical Lutheran Church of Malaya." In January 1956, another Asian Lutheran Conference was held, in Madras and again Mr. Pillai made representations concerning the situation in Malaya . This Conference also saw the appointment of Raja B Manikam, a person long active in international and Asian ecumenical circles, as Bishop of the TELC. Manikam was the first Indian national to be appointed bishop of the TELC. thus it transpires by January 1959, that Mr. Pitchai Pillai had received the mandate of the Pastorate Committee to personally visit the main Lutheran Mission secretaries in Europe and solicit their assistance. He visited Germany , Denmark , Norway and Sweden while on a gratification pleasure trip to England after 10 years of Government service. In Sweden , Mr. Pillai was received by the then Archbishop Gunnar Hultgren, who was also the chairman of the CSM Board. It appeared that Hultgren would have urged Pillai to render his oral appeal in writing his formal request, tabled at the second CSM Board meeting in 1959, was typed with a Swedish type writer but on Pillai's private letter head. The letter is dated 28 January 1959 with address given as "c/o the Church of Sweden Mission House , Uppsala ." An Excerpt: ...A congregation satisfied with only maintaining itself will die. If it enters strongly into work for others it will live and grow. realising this situation, the congregations are eagerly calling missionaries from Sweden . To start a new mission from a foreign country may be more difficult but to heed the call from the foreign country is easier. Here, it is the church in Malaya , which is calling the Swedish Missionaries. We trust that the CSM Board will define this urgent call. It is not the Swedish Mission that initiates this plan but it is the Curch on the field, which extends the call to Sweden . 1961-1968 --The CSM at first did not envisage a major involvement in Malaya . The director at the time, CG Deiht, worte to the ULCA prior to Envall's survey: We hope that Rev. Envall will be at our disposal for a year or two in Malaya from 1961 and also that a younger missionary will join him to be trained by him in order to carrry on the work. If these plans come through, we are not expecting it to be a big enterprise. Our contribution will chiefly consist in a couple of missionaries.. We want to build up one Lutheran Church in Malaya . Immediately upon Envall's arrival in a missionary capacity, with his family, on 7 October 1961, Bishop Manikam chaired a Joint Conference meeting of the two Circles in Kuala Lumpur. Envall was appointed as Superintendent and Chairman of a Constitution committee for a period of three years, and the Church was divided into six districts (parishes): Penang, Kuala Kangur, Teluk Anson, Kuala Lumpur , Seremban Congregations in the six districts, with 73 preaching places and a total membership of 1,252. The constitution Committee met for the first time on December 1961 and invited the other Lutherans to join them in drafting a Constitution. On 13 December 1961, a meeting of representatives from the TELC and ULCA was held and a Joint Constitution committee began work in January 1962 with Envall as Chairman. Many meetings were held and papers and correspondence exchanged, but it became increasingly clear that agreement on a number of points was unlikely. A period of notable change and development resulted from the early involvement of the CSM. The Tamil work was reorganized and the ELCM at last seemed to be coming into being. At the same time, the ULCA mission was also being organized into a church; now, the question of the relationship between the two groups was more urgent than ever. All parties were in a position to pursue the formation of the church, which they all had agreed to, was desirable. But their fundamental problems embedded in what they were trying to achieve, problems that proved to be insurmountable. The Constitution as drafted was nevertheless brought in August 1962 to a TELC Conference where it was approved after considerable discussion - the meeting in fact lasted for 20 hours. The first meeting of the Diocesan Assembly of the new ELCM was held on 25 and 26 January 1963, but the ULCA mission. i.e. the ULCM, was unwilling to ratify this and in August 1963. They decided to form the Lutheran church in Malaysia (LCM) which came into being on 1 January 1964. On 7 November 1965, Rev. Bertil Envall was elected the first Bishop of the ELCM, and was consecrated on 29 May 1966. Back in 1964, to carry out work among the women and children of the Church and among the sick, the poor and needy, a training course for Deaconesses was commenced at Zion hall under the Board of Social Ministry. The period of training was for three and a half years, during which the students were taught a number of subjects including theology, nursing, diakonia, ethics, psychology, health and domestic science, stewardship, kindergarten training etc., and 1 year in-service. Sister Astrid Joanasson, the Deaconess mother from SCM was in charge of the training. The Bishop, pastors and others assisted in this training. In the same year, a Youth Committee was set up in July in order to coordinate and develop the youth work in ELCM. Again in 1964 as part of the work of the social ministry, kindergarten schools were organized. Miss b. Hagested in Penang conducted the first orientation course for Kindergarten teachers. In order to strengthen and expand Kindergarten works in the ELCM. Sister Margareta Enarsson arrived in May 964. Day cares and nursery work was started in rural areas and estates. In 1964, a two spacious double storey building was purchased in Anson Road , Penang , This premises was used as a worship and evangelistic centre mainly for the English and Chinese speaking people. The first hostel for women was also started here. On 12 October 1966, Bethony Home, a training centre for epileptic children was officially opened in Teluk Intan. Mr. And Mrs. Sarberg did the pioneering work in cooperation with the Medical Officer, in Teluk Intan. Miss Brigitta Sanden was the first Director of Bethany Home. In 1966, a Missionary from Sweden , Deacon Jerker Sandegaard arrived to initiate junior work (an activity which ministers to children between the ages of 10 and 14) and the youth, as full time Secretary. The ELCM became an affiliated member of the Trinity Theological College, Singapore, an ecumenical institution. Rev. Moses Muthusami was the first student to graduate with a Bachelor of Theology from Trinity Theological College in 1966. 1969-1990 -- The assistance of the CSM and to a lesser, but still significant extent, the ULCA Mission, provided resources which had hitherto been unimaginable. What was also important was that the scope of the mission of the ELCM itself was broadened. Evangelism was given attention, not without difficulty as it had long been confessed as something notable by its absence. Not only was property development facilitated in a way, which had been unheard of, but some significant forms of social outreach were launched, including a home for epileptic children in Teluk Intan and a vocational training school in Kuala Pilah. In Penang a prison ministry was developed and in a number of places kindergartens became part of the programme of the church as a whole. These resources produced at least to some extent, the growth in numbers and the change in perception of the mission o the church, which had been looked for when the assistance of other Lutheran Churches was first sought. However the scale of this assistance meant that other difficulties were not so easily dealt with. Like the sister LCMS, a situation of dependency on outside donors was difficult to avoid. The move from a Swedish to a local Bishop with the consecration of Bishop E.B. Muthusami on 31 October 1976 and then bishop Julius Paul on 10 April 1988, together with the withdrawal of missionaries during the 1970s, helped restore a Malaysian face to the church, but it can still be difficult getting everyone to pull together and the burden of maintaining and consolidating what was established with outside help over a relatively short period of time is not an easy one. Bishop bertil Envall dedicated the Good Hope Lutheran Congregation on February 21, 1971, and in the same year on 11 December, he dedicated Victory Lutheran Congregation. In the year 1972 about 1000 Juniors, leaders and overseas guests participated in the Fifth Anniversary Junior Camp held in Morib. On 30 November 1974, Zion Cathedral held its Golden Jubilee Celebration. In 1978, a group of Junior Work leaders assisted the Tamil Evangelical Lutheran, Church (TELC, India ) and Arcot Lutheran Church (ALC, India ) to start Junior Work. On 6 January 1979, Seminari Theoloji Malaysia (STM) was set up under the official sponsorship of the ELCM, Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia, and the Methodist Church in Malaysia . STM was instituted to provide local teritary theological education for workers to meet the growing and urgent needs of the Malaysian Churches. On 26 August 1984, Port Dickson Lutheran Centre began its operations. On 12 July 1986, Bangunan Lutheran Hostel began its operations. From December 1990 to January 1991, Mr. A.V.M. Rajan, a film star turned Evangelist, and his wife visited Malaysia and conducted evangelistic programmes throughout the ELCM congregations. 1991-2001 -- Bethany Home celebrated its 25th Silver Jubilee in 1991. On 12 October, the Home organised a Thanksgiving Service cum Subscription dinner to mark its Silver Jubilee. Mr and Mrs Sarberg and their family, the Bishop Julius Paul, pastors and friends from various churches were present for the occasion. There was an award giving ceremony and thirteen of the staff who had served for more than 10 years were recognised for their services. The Sorbergs gave away the awards. Awards were also given to two of the longest staying resident. Approximately 600 people attended the dinner. On 3 August 1992, Bangsaria began its operations. On 1 August 1993, Bethel Church Group was accepted by the ELCM. The Ministerial Committee was appointed by the Diocesan Council for the first time in 1993 to assist the Bishop in making decisions that will be helpful to the total ministry of the ELCM. In 1994, two leaders from the ELCM introduced Junior Work (which is known as pathway) in Bangladesh . Training programmes were also conducted for Junior leaders and Sunday School teachers. In 1994, Rumah Hope began it operations from June 21 - July 29 1994, Rev. Dr. Klenig John from the Lutheran Church of Australia visited the ELCM for 5 weeks. He was teaching at Seminari Theoloji Malaysia , conducting Lay Training programmes and a Worker's School for ELCM Pastors and Church workers, and visiting various congregations. With effect from 18 may 1994, the new ELCM Constitution was approved by the Registrar of Societies. Noted in the light of the ne Constitution, the status of the representatives from the two congregations in Singapore were therefore observers. Bishop Julius D. Paul dedicated the Bethesda Church on 29th July 1995. On 5 November 1996, the Document on Faith and Order was adopted by the Pastors' Conference. Bishop Julius Paul dedicated Praise Lutheran Centre on 20 July 1996. The Vision and Mission Statement of ELCMS was adopted and introduced in 1997. On 3 October 1998, a group of Indonesian men and women from the Huria Kristen Batak Protestant Church (HKBP) in West Java visited the ELCM women. The ensuring informal discussion mainly focused on establishing and continuing a relationship with the ELCM women. Rev. Solomon Rajah was conferred the degree of Doctor of Theology on 23rd October 1999 by the South East Asia Graduate School of Theology (SEAGST). The year 1999 has been declared the Year of Evangelism and Cell Groups. On 1 January 2000, the Millennium Celebration Dinner was held. Evangelistic seminars and sermons conducted by Pastor Dhayanandan from India at the various Lutheran Churches were very successfull. Brother Sam Jebadurai from Madras , India spoke at the Diocesan Prayer Camp held from 25-27 February 2000 at Port Dickson. On 23rd April 2000, Easter Sunday, the time Capsule was placed in the Zion Compound by Bishop Julius Paul at 4.30 pm. The Time Capsule contains documents, minutes, photos, and reports denoting the ministry and service of the ELCM over the last two centuries. This time Capsule is to be opened in the year 2025. From 23 to 24, January 2001, a seminar on "Refocusing and Revitalising Junior Work in the ELCM" was held at Port Dickson Lutheran Centre. From 13 March to 12 June 2001, training courses for Evangelists and Pastoral Assistants were conducted at the Conference room and Seminar Room, Brickfields. On 1 April 2001, Rumah Chrestus began its operations. From 4 to 6 May 2001, a Seminar for women in the Diocese was held at Port Dickson Lutheran entre. The Theme of the seminar was "Women as Intercessors." The guest speaker was the late Sister Christe Aruldas. Women work Secretary, TELC, India . From 18 to 21 May 2001, a Seminar was conducted by the Diocesan Council at the Port Dickson Lutheran Centre. The purpose of the seminar is to plan a "Three Years Plan" for the ELCM (2002-004). On 15 July 2001, Rumah Rapha began its operations. An Extra Ordinary Diocesan Assembly was held on 21st July 2001 at YMCA, Brickfields ( Kuala Lumpur ), to discuss and decide on the amendments proposed to the existing Constitution. From 8 to 12 August 2001, five leaders and Juniors of ELCM attended a National Camp organized by the Svenska Kyrkans Unga, in Sweden . On 28th August 2001 "The Faith & order Document" was reviewed and adopted by the Pastors' Conference. Resolutions taken and approved at the EDA (21-22 July 2001) to the "amendments proposed to the existing Constitution" were received and adopted at the Diocesan Assembly, Air Keroh, Melaka (14th - 16th September 2001) For the Northern District a seminar on "Reading the Bible with New Eyes" was conducted from 21 to 23 September 2001. This seminar was held at the Catholic Centre, Cameron Highlands . Following this, a seminar on "HOW TO BE A CHURCH IN TODAY'S CONTEXT?" for church workers was held at Port Dickson Lutheran Centre from 25 to 27 September 2001. This was followed by another seminar on "READING THE BIBLE WITH NEW EYES" for the Central- Southern District at port Dickson Lutheran Centre from 28 to 30 September 2001. The speaker for all the three seminars was Dr. Daniel Thiagarajah, a scholar in biblical tudies of CCA based in Hong Kong . About 75 Pastors and Lay people participated in all these seminars. On 20th October 2001, 35th Anniversary of Bethany Home was celebrated at Bethany Church, Teluk Intan. Rev. Wilfred John was conferred the degree of Doctor of Theology on 3rd November 2001 by South East Asia Graduate School of Theology (SEAGST). On 10th November 2001, the Centenary Celebrations Dinner was held in Bangunan Peladang,
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