A brief history of Church of North India (C.N.I.)

British came to India for mercantile purpose but gradually took over/captured the governance from the then divided Princely States. Once they establish their rule across the Country, the Christian Missionaries of different sect started coming to India. They started establishing their Churches for propagation of Protestant faith of Christian Religion. The common object was to reveal CHRIST by means of evangelistic, educational, medical and charitable activities for the establishment of the Kingdom of GOD. The Churches were propagating Christianity in India during the British Rule.

The Churches in India were the part of the Church of England and known as Church of England in India. The Church of England resolved to dissolve the legal union between the Church of England and Church of England in India for which a Measure was passed at the National Assembly of Churches of England to provide for dissolution. Consequently, Indian Church Measure Act 1927 was enacted and notified on 4th February 1928. As a follow up action, The Indian Church Act 1927 was enacted. The dissolution of the legal union between Church of England and Church of England in India came to be notified on 15th February 1930. In other words, the Church of India came to existence consequent to the Measure Act 1927 and the Indian Church Act 1927.

After the dissolution of the legal union between the Church of England and Church of England in India and upon the creation of Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon the Church of India was named the Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon – for short C.I.P.B.C. This was commonly known as the Church of Anglican Communion.

Deliberation on unification of Churches in India continued since 1930, with an object to have a single Church upon unification and amalgamation of all the Churches. A Round table Conference was held in New Delhi in the year 1959 resulting in appointment of “Negotiation Committee” to continue deliberation for union of churches. Finally Church of North India (C.N.I.) was constituted at Nagpur on 29th November 1970 bringing within the fold by unifying SIX Churches namely;

1. The council of Baptist Churches in north India.

2. The Church of India, Pakistan, Burma and Ceylon (C.I.P.B.C.).

3. The Methodist Church (British & Australian Conference).

4. Disciple of Christ.

5. The United Church of North India.

6. The Churches of Brethren in India.

Courtesy: FAO (OS) No. 505/2009 at Hon’ble Supreme Court on 23-12-2009 & Case No. Appeal Civil 9419 of 2003 on 03-05-2005.