Founder Members
Brief information about our SEVEN founder members
1. Rev. E.L. QUIRK was the Canadian Baptist field missionary
appointed at Visakhapatnam field in Visakhapatnam district, Andhra Pradesh State
in South India. He was a great man of God and had great vision about church planting.
He underwent many hurdles and persecution in his attempts to translate his vision
into reality.
The Andhra Baptist Church Visakhapatnam, the mother church has initial difficulty
in understanding his vision. Some were even violently for starting new churches protested at that time. Yet,
by Gods grace, he had his way through and motivated the native christians to extend
their helping hand in establishing Ten Baptist Churches at various places viz.,
Chengalarao peta, Allipuram, Maddilapalem, Scindia colony, Kancharapalem, Gopalapatnam,
Malkapuram and Kothavalasa village in the Visakhapatnam city. He exhibited very
special love and concern towards the formation, construction and continuity of our
church i.e. Calvary Baptist Church, Visakhapatnam.
He was tremendous source of inspiration to the later missionaries as well as
the native Christian leaders.
2.Sri. A.G. ISRAEL was the only son of late Akunuri Gabriel
and Jamayamma of Kommalamudi village in Krishna District. He was born on 25-08-1915.
They were members of Baptist Church, Gunnanapudi. He studied in a mission school
at Akividu and Kakinada and later became the head Master of Juvvalapalem School.
He was married to Samadanam, youngest daughter of late Nethela Gnananandam and Ruthamma
of Golvepally village in the year 1937. In the year 1939, he joined C.B.M Higher
Elementary School, Allipuram, Visakhapatnam. His wife also joined as teacher and
his mother joined as Bible women at Visakhapatnam. In the year 1942 they started
a small prayer cell in school campus at Allipuram, which paved a way for starting our churchlaid the seeds for the
subsequent foundation of our church.
He was chosen to be the first President of our church in 1948. Along with other
members he worked for the development of the church. The church is indebted to him
and his family for their selfless service to the church.
3.Sri. Pasala Samuel was the only son of Pasala Thammaiah
and Atchamma. Due to early demise of his father his uncle Pucha Appanna of Bharnikam
village near Parawada of Visakhapatnam District has taken care of young Samuel.
He did his studies in local High school. At this juncture C.B. Missionaries started
their work in Visakhapatnam District and placed Rev. Gompana Joseph as missionary
and Pastor at Parawada village. . Sri Samuel was the first fruit for Lord in that
village.. After his Baptism he led many of his relatives to Jesus Christ. He underwent
theological training at Baptist Seminary, Kakinada. He had good Christian upbringing
under the able guidance of Rev. Chetti Bhanumurthy the seminary Principal. He married,
Esther, a Bible Women in the year 1944 After a brief service in the Indian Army,
he joined Hindustan Shipyard, the first ship building yard and retired as Senior
Engineer in the year 1982. He was one of the founder members of Calvary Baptist
Church and served in the church by holding several port folios for several years.
He rendered valuable services to the church. He slept in the Lord on 29th Nov. 1987.
The church expresses its gratitude to him and his for their selfless
service.
4.Rev. Gompana Peter hails from Elamanchili village in
Visakhapatnam District.. His wife late Smt. Dayamani was a teacher in Allipuram
CBM girls school. He was working in Hindustan Shipyard and was residing at Allipuram.
In the year 1948 on a Sunday he along with six others viz., S/Shri G.Aseervadam,
A.G. Israel, D. Krupa Rao, P. Samuel, T.A. Isaac, Ch. Peter met at the house of
A. G. Israel and initiated for starting of Baptist Church, at Allipuram which
is now called as Calvary Baptist Church. He was given the responsibility of first
Secretary of the church to work along with President A.G. Israel and Treasurer Sri.
T.A. Isaac. Later he served the church as a full time pastor from 29-6-1961. The
church arranged his ordination on 28th February 1959,
having recognized his services to the church , the church confer him
the title of Calvary Seva Ratna. The church expresses its gratitude to him and to
his family members for their selfless service.
5. Rev Terapalli Abraham Isaac hails from Elamanchili
of Visakhapatnam District. His father late T.Abraham was an employee of South Eastern
(BN Railway).and served for 37 years. While he was in
active service, he along with other founder members of Calvary Baptist Church contributed
to the formation and Organisation the church. He was chosen to be Treasurer of
the first Deacon’s Board. He had put up all his efforts for the development and
progress of the church. He is sincere, loyal and hard working person. Subsequently
he served the church in various capacities as its President Vice President, Secretary
and also as an Associate Pastor. He represented our church in Baptist Field Council,
Visakhapatnam, Northern Association, CBCNC, Andhra Pradesh Christian Council, Baptist
Union of India, Asian Baptist Federation, and the Baptist World Alliance. His wife,
was late Smt. Victoria Rani. The church conferred upon him the title of Calvary
Seva Ratna. The church expresses its gratitude to him and his family members for
their selfless service. The church express its
gratitude for his selfless service rendered to the church.
6.Sri Danda Kruparao "Calvary Seva Ratna" late Danda Krupa Rao hails from
Elamanchili was the eldest son of late Pastor Vinayakam and late Smt. Krupamma.
He was working in Railways and living in Dorndaparthy area. He was one of the seven
founder members of Andhra Baptist Church, Allipuram. He was given the responsibility
of being the Associate Secretary of the Ad-hoc Board. He was one of the Deacons
of the first Deacon Board. He was responsible for the over all development of the
church. Under his able leadership he undertook the planning the execution of the
first church building and subsequently the balcony. By his
able leadership he imparted training to the younger generation in Evangelism and
church Administration. He led a simple life and represented our church in Baptist
Field Council, Visakhapatnam, Northern Association, CBCNC, Andhra Pradesh Christian
Council, Baptist Union of India, Asian Baptist Federation, and the Baptist World.
Alliance. He was responsible for organizing several in Revival meetings city and state
Providing Relief and Rescue Missions during the time of Natural disasters.
His life had been a source of great inspiration to one and all. Having recognized
his valuable services to the church, the title of Calvary Seva Ratna was conferred
on him on 12th Dec. 1993 on the eve of Rededication of the church building. The
church expresses its gratitude to him and his family.
7.Sri Goli Aseervadam hails from Bobbili and was a
convert Christian. He was a Bible teacher at C.B.M. High School, Visakhapatnam.
He was the youngest brother of Mr. Goli Sanganna who was residing at Allipuram,
Visakhapatnam.
He had deep knowledge in Bible & Theology, hence, his services were utilized by
the church in Allipuram. He did evangelism on behalf of the church in and around
Allipuram Area.
Along with his family he contributed more in the formation of the church. The church
express gratitude to him and to his family for selfless services rendered to the
church.