The first seminary building in the background
The Concordia Theological Seminary Nagercoil will celebrate the one hundred years of its ministry in 2024. The MELIM missionaries founded the seminary to train pastors, catechists and deaconesses for the ministry of the Gospel in India and beyond. The General Conference, held in November 1922, decided to start the seminary. A special committee consisting of missionaries was appointed, including Rev. Paul F E Heckel, Rev. John C W Harms, Rev. Emil A Noffke, Rev. P M Kauffeld, Rev. A J Lutz and Rev. A C Fritze. After a year of preparation, the final plans and the details for the seminary were finalized at the General Conference held in November 1923. At this conference, the proposal to start the seminary in Nagercoil and a plan for a three-year pastoral program with a vicarage after the second year was approved. After receiving approval from the Home Board of Missouri Synod, the Seminary was started in Nagercoil on Monday, September 8, 1924.
The opening service was attended by several local Lutheran Christians and most of the Missouri synod missionaries. Richard W. Goerss was the liturgist for the opening service. The first director (Principal), Rev. Theoder Gutknecht preached from 1 Timothy 3:1-4:11. In his sermon, he reminded the students that “they desired “good work” in wishing to become pastors in the Church, for upon graduation, they will become preachers of the Word, which is the only means to salvation.” (Lutheran Witness, Vol 43). He went on to describe the qualities essential for a pastor. He exhorted students to develop all those biblical qualities required for a pastor and make every effort to retain them as they serve the Lord as His undershepherds. Rev. Anton J Lutz led the dedication prayer. The service was conducted in Tamil.
Standing from the Left:
Students-Arulanandham, Philipp, Saminathan, Perimbanayacham, Dharmachan, Swamidason. The seventh student is not pictured.
Sitting from the Left:
Missionaries- Goerss, Gutknecht, and Lutz
Picture taken on September 8, 1924.
The first class of Concordia Theological Seminary had seven students. Five of them were graduates from MELIM boarding school in Nagercoil. In the beginning, there was no proper building, so the seminary started its ministry in an old bungalow situated today behind the IELC Central Business Office (CBO), across the road from the Seminary.
The principal of the Seminary, Rev. P.R Selvaraj, announced that CTSN would begin a one-year-long celebration marking its one hundred years of ministry in India with a thanksgiving service on 8th September 2023. During this time, the Concordia seminary along with the India Evangelical Lutheran Church and Lutheran Church Missouri Synod will conduct conferences, organize various activities and carry out special projects to commemorate this occasion.