Founders

FOUNDER MEMBERS

The founder members were great visionaries and they visualized an institution with residential and fellowship method of life under the guidance of a cosmopolitan team of teachers.

Mr. K. C. CHACKO (1884 – 1947)

After a brilliant academic career at Madras Christian College, Mr. K.C. Chacko joined the staff of that College as Lecturer in Philosophy. He was greatly inspired and influenced by the life of Principal Dr. William Skinner. While in Madras, Mr. Chacko laboured day and night among the students and other young men of the city, passing on to them the message of Christ’s call to fellowship in his name. His ceaseless activity told on his health and in 1911 he fell seriously ill with tuberculosis. Though the doctors gave up all hope of his recovery, he rested his mind on God’s love and power to heal. He had a miraculous recovery, but could no longer subject himself to excessive physical strain or exertion. He joyfully channelised the tremendous energy of his vigorous mind to the ministry of intercession, helping individuals and groups in Christian life. One of the prayer groups which came into existence in this way was responsible for the founding of this College, the first, non -Roman Catholic Christian College in India owing its existence to Indian initiative. Christian Fellowship as a God-given means of finding out God’s will in every situation and of receiving God’s answer to prayer in every need was the guiding principle of Mr. Chacko’s life. He always thought of this College as a centre where a fellowship consisting of members from different denominations of the Christian Church could unitedly experience Christ’s sufficiency and commend Christ to others, thereby effectively sharing in the witnessing mission of the Church and working for the unity of the Church. In the growth and progress of the Union Christian College from its very humble beginning one can see the vindication of the deep faith of Mr. Chacko in the purpose and providence of God and in God’s response to prayer in the name of Christ.

Mr. Chacko retired from active College service in 1943, but he continued to keep alive his association with his colleagues, friends and students. He also continued to strive for the unity of the Church in Kerala. He would often engage in deliberations and negotiations involving great mental and physical strain to bring unity within the Malankara Syrian Church to which he belonged. He died on September 15, 1947. Mr. Chacko was a rare Christian soul who in our generation experienced, and helped others to experience in their daily life, work and problems, the reality of the presence, purpose and power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Chacko Hostel is named after him.

Mr. A. M. VARKI (1892 – 1944)

Mr. A.M. Varki was the first Principal of Union Christian College. He had a brilliant academic career and passed his B.A., M.A. & B.L. Degree Examinations with outstanding distinction. He was a student of Madras Christian College and a member of the teaching staff of that College for a short period. He was one of the founder members of Union Christian College. As Principal of the College during the first 20 years, he guided the destiny of the newly founded College with mature wisdom and statesmanship. His lectures, on Shakespearean plays as well as his addresses at the weekly College assembly or in the Chapel were an unforgettable experience to every member of the College. He was recognised as an experienced and seasoned educationalist and an able administrator. He was a member of the Syndicate of the Madras University and later of the Travancore University for several years. As an educationalist and as a leader of the Christian community, especially of the Malankara Syrian Church, he exerted great influence in this part of India. Great weight was attached to his views, on all questions. His deep scholarship, mature and sincere views, his great gift of eloquence and wide and sympathetic outlook on life all enabled him to win a position of great leadership and usefulness in the College, in Church and in society. As a member of the first Mission of Fellowship sent by the Indian Churches to Great Britain and Ireland, he made a profound impression in the countries which the group visited. Mr. Varki passed away on June 5, 1944. The College Assembly Hall is named after him.

Mr. V. M. ITTYERAH (1895 – 1985)

After his B.A. (Hons) Degree from Madras Christian College Mr. V. M. Ittyerah joined the staff of that College. A close friend and associate of the late Mr. K.C. Chacko, Mr. Ittyerah was one of the first persons who shared with that great soul the idea of founding Union Christian College. Ever since that day in 1921, when he came to the College Hill with a friend, to clear the jungle around the old dilapidated and uninhabited building, in which the Union Christian College was to have its first home, Mr. Ittyerah was the common friend of everyone in the college community. In 1927, he left the College for a period of study at Oxford. He returned in 1930 after taking his B. Litt. degree and was on the staff of the College till he retired at the age of 60. His transparent sincerity of purpose, his desire to be of help to all, his unselfconscious enthusiasm, his humility and his cheerfulness, all enabled him to make a distinctive and most valuable contribution to the life and work of this College. He served the College in various ways: as a teacher and warden, as staff adviser to the Student Christian fellowship, as staff organiser of relief for the poor and needy neighbours of the College and in many other ways. He was the Principal of the College from 1942 to 1947. Mr. Ittyerah retired from active service in the College in May 1957 and was Principal of Mar Thoma College, Thiruvalla, for three years. Even after his retirement Mr. Ittyerah continued his close association with the life and work of UC College until his death on November 9, 1985. Generations of students of Union Christian College cherish their association with Mr. Ittyerah, who had been to them an inspiring and consecrated Christian teacher, guide and friend. The Administrative block is named after him.

Mr. C. P. MATHEW (1896 – 1970)

Mr. C.P. Mathew had been a faculty of Madras Christian College after graduating in Philosophy before joining the college. He was a member of the original group whose vision and initiative was responsible for the founding of the Union Christian College. He has put the stamp of his forceful personality upon every aspect of the College. His sense of fairness, his courage of conviction, his magnanimity and his undivided loyalty to the highest and the best, enabled him to make a most distinctive and valuable contribution, both in shaping the policies of the college as well as in the conscientious and efficient discharge of day to day routine duties.He was greatly respected for his profound scholarship in Philosophy and Theology and for the lofty ideals and principles which guided his life. He was also known for his fervent spirit of patriotism and devotion to the Church. He was a member of the Mission of Fellowship which visited England in 1938. He served as Principal of the college from 1947- ’52. He was a member of the first elected Parliament of the Indian Republic during 1952-’57 and in that period he was part of the Indian delegation to the UNESCO in Paris in 1952 and to the United Nations General Assembly in 1954.

Mr. Mathew continued to exert a great influence on the life of the Christian Church and to take an active interest in the political life of the country. He also maintained intimate association with the college until his death on September 24, 1970. The Mathew Block is named after him.

V. M. Ittyerah

(1895-1985)

K. C. Chacko

(1884-1947)

C. P. Mathew

(1896-1970)

A. M. Varki

(1892-1944)