CSI Church Koilvilai

William Tobias Ringeltaube was the first Protestant missionary in the ar south of India. He spent much of his time in Travancore. He was the first child of Gottlieb Ringeltaube. Vicar of Scheidelwitz, near Brzeg in Silesia. He was born on 8th August 1770. Five days after his birth was baptized and given the name William Tobias Ringeltaube. For seven years Ringeltaube grew up in the quietness of a country he. After that his father went to warsaw in Poland, and spent nine years in te city During this time, William was educated by his father before attending the university of Halle.

When he was 16, his father became a court preacher and General superintendent at Oels in Silesia. There, the young boy attended the Gymnasium, but the boy was naturally and shunned all interaction with fellow students. When he was 18 years old he went on a walking tour, during which he made many friends. During that time he made the decision to become a Christian missionary Society to join their 1803 mission to India. London missionary society sent William Tobias Ringeltaube to India. He setup his voyage from London on 10th April 1804. In the ship named "Crowwn Princess Maria". He landed at Tranquebar on 4 December 1804.

William Tobias Ringeltaube arrived in Koilvilai in the month of December in 1809. At the time Mr. Veeramuthu, who was called Pitchandi Annavi was magician and Silambam artist. Once when Wiliam Tobias Ringeltaube visited Athikadu(Zionpuram) a man called Pitchandi Annavi did not respect him, William Tobias Ringeltaube did not get angry with him instead he greeted him happily and advised him. Immediately Pitchandi Annavi repented and became a new man.

Again in the year 1810. When William Tobias Ringeltaube visited Athikadu(Zionpuram). He was preaching the Gospal according to I Peter 2nd chapter under a tree. When Pitchandi Annavi was carefully listening to his Preaching's he repented and accepted Christ as his personal Saviour. Pitchandi Annavi had 12(twelve) children and 97 years old. Ringletaube baptized him as Jacob(Yacobu) and all his children accepted Jesus their personal Saviour. Yacobu witnessed Christ before the people of Koilvilai. He told them personally how he and his family members repented and accepted Jesus as their personal Saviour. They were all blessed by Jesus abundantly. People at Koilvilai heard about all the Blessings. Yacobu and his family received from Jesus and in turn they also were converted into Christianity. Ringeltaube visited Mr. Yacobu and Mr. Vedamanickam families often and spread the Gospal to them. As a result a church was built in Koilvilai in December 1810 by William Tobias Ringeltaube. That time 26 families were members in that Church, Mr.Jacob, the first one who lived till 108 years. Ringeltaube returned to his native country on Feb 5th 1816.

William Tobias Ringeltaube founded and established the following 7(Seven) Churches.

• Mylaudy (1809 September 10)
• South Thamarai Kulam (1810 March 10)
• Puthalam (1810 July 20)
• Athikadu (Zionpuram -1810 July 28)
• Eathamozhi (1810 October 14)
• Pitchai Kudiyiruppu (JamesTown -1810 November)
• Koilvilai (1810 December)

The church extension, foundation stone for the Koilvilai church was laid on 14-11-1946 and it was dedicated on 30-12-1950. The foundation stone for the Bell fry was laid on 25-04-1999. The church was upgraded as the Pastorate church was affiliated to C.S.I Diocese Kanyakumari in 25-04-2013. The Foundation stone for the New alter of the Church was laid on 07-09-2014 and was dedicated on 13-12-2015.