THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH OF TELANGANA – 150 GLORIOUS YEARS

The Telugu Baptist Church, which is now called the Centenary Baptist Church, is celebrating 150 years of God’s grace and faithfulness, today, the 14 November 2025. It is not a simple milestone to cross. One hundred and fifty years is a long time. So many things have changed over the course of time. Yet, our unchanging God, who in His grace, enabled the Baptist Missionaries from United States of America, to consider this small place, way back in 1875, is a miracle, and a testimony of His faithfulness towards His people in Hyderabad and Telangana. Therefore…
– “​1 I will praise You with my whole heart…I will sing praises to You. 2 I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.” – Psalm 138:1-2

W. W. Campbell, was sent as a missionary, by the American Baptist Foreign Mission Society (ABM) to the Princely State of Hyderabad. Campbell, along with his wife, arrived in Ongole. After studying the Telugu language, they both started their journey of about three weeks to Secunderabad, on a bullock cart, to start the First Baptist Church in Telangana. This vision came to realisation on 14 November 1875, when the first service was started. Richard B. Clayburn is the first baptised member of the newly established Telugu Baptist Church in Secunderabad, in December 1875. W. W. Campbell played a significant role in the early days of the American Telugu Baptist Missions, in Telangana. 

Telugu Baptist Church in Secunderabad, was used by God, to  play a pivotal role in the establishment and the growth of Baptist mission work in Telangana. Five mission stations were established –  1-Secunderabad, 2-Suryapet, 3-Hanumakonda, 4-Nalgoda and 5-Jangao; with Secunderabad as the headquarters, where the resident missionary was stationed. The work of American Baptists in Telangana was fuelled by blood, sweat and tears of wonderful, loving, kind and generous Christian brothers and sisters from USA. Great work was begun earnestly. Great work was established sincerely. Great work continued for many many decades by the grace of God, which enabled American and Telangana Christians to work tireless in the vineyard of our LORD, in this part of God’s beautiful world.

I am blessed to be part of this rich Baptist heritage. My grandparents on both sides contributed their fair share for the Baptist Mission and the Church. My maternal grandfather had served as the Sunday School Superintendent, for many many years, at the First Baptist Church of Telangana. My grandparents, and my parents joyfully sacrificed their time, effort, energy, material and money for the growth of the Church, as did countless other wonderful Baptist families, whose names and faces we may never know. Some missionaries who have directly impacted our family, and whom God used to bless us are, Rutherford, Anderson, Rev. F. P. Manley, Ms. Ruth Thurmond, Ms. Helen Bailey, the Slaters and others. We are ever so grateful to God for their love, kindness and generosity towards us, and towards many like us. We are ever so grateful and thankful to the LORD for their love, showered upon us. It is immeasurable, and their contribution towards the development and growth of our family is inestimable. There are many families like ours, who are the beneficiaries of God’s love, grace and mercy through the American Baptist Missionaries. All glory to God!

If we are celebrating 150 years of this Church, it is the collective efforts of many many people, enabled, empowered and blessed by our good and gracious God. Great men and women have come out of its precincts. They have impacted the world at large, and the Church of God in particular. All glory to God for the Centenary Baptist Church, as we celebrate the completion of 150 years.

Good men and women of God are already serving the LORD in His vineyard, at the Centenary Baptist Church today. *There is so much more to be done. The work of the LORD is in great need of men and women of integrity, commitment, discipline and sacrifice.* Men and women who would lift up the name of the LORD our God, and not their own personal names, just like John the Baptist, who said…
– “…He who comes after me is preferred before me, for He was before me.’” “20…“I am not the Christ.” “23 He said: “I am The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD”… “27 It is He who, coming after me, is preferred before me, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose.” “30 He must increase, but I must decrease. 31 He who comes from above is above all…” – John 1:15 1:20 1:23 1:27 1:29-27, 3:30-31a

Even so the LORD bless the efforts of the First Telugu Baptist Church of Telangana, for the glory of our LORD, for the extension of His kingdom, and for the blessing of His people. SOLI DEO GLORIA!