Tue Nov 18 14:14:01 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text, formatted for a general audience:
News Article:
Historic Idukki Church Goes Digital, Offering Glimpse into Plantation Past
IDUKKI, India – November 18, 2025 – The St. George CSI Church in Pallikunnu, Idukki, a landmark steeped in the history of British-era plantation culture, has launched a new website offering a digital window into its past. The website provides descendants and history enthusiasts alike with easy access to details about the church’s origins, the adjacent British cemetery, and key figures connected to the region’s plantation industry.
Founded in 1869 after the Travancore kings granted land to CMS missionary Henry Baker Junior, the Gothic-style church stands as a memorial to the early days of plantation life in the Peerumade hills. According to Viju P. Chacko, the CSI East Kerala Diocese PRO, the new website was created in response to requests from descendants of those buried in the British cemetery, which houses 34 graves.
The website, accessible at https://stgeorgecsichurchofficial.com, features information about Henry Baker Junior, plantation pioneer John Daniel Munro (and his legendary white horse, Downy), the British graves, the church’s 156-year-old coffee plant, and a list of past priests. The launch coincided with the inauguration of a broader digitalization project, intended to make church services accessible to devotees worldwide.
“Now, details of the church’s history can be viewed through the link https://stgeorgecsichurchofficial.com.” said Mr. Chacko.
The church’s website launch and digitization project took place at a ceremony on Tuesday. These improvements are bolstered by a recent ₹99.92 lakh tourism project announced by the State Tourism department for the development and beautification of the Pallikkunnu church.
Summary of the text:
The St. George CSI Church in Idukki, India, has launched a website detailing its history, the history of the British cemetery it houses, and figures associated with the plantation culture of the region. The church was built in 1869 and has become a popular site for those interested in its history. It is also digitalizing its services to be more accessible.
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