Rev. J.M. Lechler -Apostle of Salem

In May 1840 Rev. J.M. Lechler (Rev. John Michael Lechler - 1804 - 1861) called as the Apostle of Salem , a German Missionary of the London Missionary society came to salem from Coimbatore to take charge of the Salem Mission work. He had already been 5 Years in India of which 4 years were spent working with Rev.C. T. E. Rhenius(1790 - 1838) called as the Apostle of Tirunelveli.

 In the same year Rev . J.M. Lechler Started in Salem a School of Industries - First of its kind in the whole of the British India - The school was called as the first school of Industrial education in India and Rev . J.M. Lechler who was also called (because of the chequered history) as the father of Industrial education in India. He started the training institute with 6 students on Bungalow Street, between Shevapet and Kottai in the town, which is at present near the CSI Boys Higher Secondary School premises.

 

In those days, technical education was not part of regular education. But, Lechler started the school and provided training in carpentry and tailoring to the students

 To Develop the Industrial school Rev. J.M. Lechler needed more skilled workers and Artisans. So he called skilled workers from Tirunelveli under the Leadership of Catechist E. David of Palayamkottah (a well-trained man under Rev. C.T.E. Rhenius of Tirunelveli ) under the Leadership of Catechist E. David 30 families of skilled workers from Tirunelveli came to Salem. They were given work according to their trades in the industrial school and accommodated in the Salem mission compound at Shevapet, Salem.

In his 21 years of stay in Salem, he mastered Tamil language as he was able to read and write the language fluently. In 1841, Lechler along with Assistant Collector of Salem H.A. Brett trekked to Yercaud and built the first cottage named ‘Melrose’ with sub-burnt bricks. Thus, Lechler became the first European settler on the hilltop and several Europeans purchased land and built their houses later.

He along with other officers of Madras Civil Services built the CSI Holy Trinity Church atop Yercaud which is currently 164 years old. In 1853, Lechler built the CSI Church in Kottai area with all the construction materials made locally.

The church was renovated in 2009 and was named as CSI Lechler Memorial Church.

Every year death anniversary of Lecher is observed on June 17 at his tomb located on the CSI Boys Higher Secondary School premises.