Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Church Members Clash Over New Building Near Heritage Wesley Church
Members of an old church in Secunderabad disagree about a new building project.
The project would replace a nearby Parish Hall with a permanent building.
Some church members worry that construction could harm the 110-year-old heritage church.
They say officials ordered the demolition to stop.
The church committee says the old hall leaked and was not suitable for church activities.
It also says the congregation is growing and needs more rooms.
The church is known for its neo-Gothic design, woodwork and stained glass.
Both sides are waiting for authorities and church officials to clarify whether all required permissions were obtained.
Members of the 110-year-old CSI Wesley Church oppose a proposed building beside the heritage structure.
The church committee demolished the adjoining Parish Hall, which had a tin-sheet roof.
A church governing body says the replacement is needed for a growing congregation, meetings, Sunday school and pastoral accommodation.
Dr John Ravinder says the GHMC ordered demolition to stop, but the work continued despite the order.
Opponents are seeking clarification on heritage, municipal, planning, structural and fire-safety approvals.
- Who
- Members and leaders of CSI Wesley Church, including Dr John Ravinder, Rev Andrew Prem Sukumar and M. Paul Vedanth.
- What
- A dispute over demolishing the church’s Parish Hall and proposing a new building beside the notified heritage church.
- When
- The church is 110 years old; the heritage recognition was given on World Heritage Day in April this year, while the timing of the demolition is not specified.
- Where
- CSI Wesley Church at Clock Tower, Secunderabad, Hyderabad.
- Why
- The committee says it needs permanent facilities for a growing congregation, meetings, Sunday school and pastors; opponents want the heritage structure protected and approvals clarified.
Heritage and approval concerns
Church committee’s expansion case
Protection of the church site
Heritage and approval concerns
Opponents say the heritage structure should be safeguarded so it can remain for another 100 years.
Church committee’s expansion case
The church governing body says the proposed building is needed to serve the growing congregation and provide space for church meetings.
Demolition of the Parish Hall
Heritage and approval concerns
Dr John Ravinder says demolition continued despite a Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation stop order issued after a complaint.
Church committee’s expansion case
The governing body says committee members approved removing the old Parish Hall because its tin-sheet roof was leaking and a permanent building was needed.
Required permissions
Heritage and approval concerns
Opponents are seeking confirmation that structural removal and the replacement building have municipal, planning, structural and fire-safety approvals.
Church committee’s expansion case
Rev Andrew Prem Sukumar says the committee brought in a professional to construct the building on the advice of heritage consultants.
- Church age
- 110 years
- Location
- Clock Tower, Secunderabad
- Architectural style
- Neo-Gothic
- Demolished structure
- The adjoining Parish Hall, described as a leaking tin-shed building
- Proposed use
- Church meetings, Sunday school, pastoral accommodation and congregation-related needs
- Heritage recognition
- The church was recognised for maintenance by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage on World Heritage Day in April this year
- Reported official action
- Dr John Ravinder said the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation issued an immediate order to stop demolition activity