About us · Estd. 1914
Our History
More than a hundred years of worship and witness in Sulur.
Our story
From 1914 to today
CSI Robertson Memorial Church was established in 1914, and has been a place of Christian worship in Sulur ever since. The congregation has gathered here week by week through two world wars, the coming of Indian independence, and the transformation of Sulur from a small town into a busy part of greater Coimbatore.
When the church was founded, the Church of South India did not yet exist. In 1947 the Protestant churches of the south came together in one of the great church unions of the twentieth century, and RMC has been part of that united church ever since — today as the church of the CSI Sulur Pastorate in the Coimbatore Diocese.
In 2014 the congregation completed one hundred years, a milestone still remembered in the name many know us by: Robertson Memorial Centenary Church.
Through the years
Milestones
A church in Coimbatore
Immanuel Church on Avinashi Road is built — one of the oldest churches in Coimbatore, and today the cathedral of our diocese.
First steps towards union
Presbyterian and Congregational churches in the south join to form the South India United Church, a forerunner of the Church of South India.
Robertson Memorial Church is established
The church begins its life as a worshipping congregation in Sulur.
The Church of South India is born
On 27 September 1947, at St George’s Cathedral in Madras, Anglican, Methodist, Presbyterian, Congregational and Reformed churches unite as the Church of South India.
The first Bishop in Coimbatore
Rt. Rev. A. J. Appasamy becomes the first bishop of the Coimbatore Diocese, the diocesan family to which the Sulur Pastorate belongs.
One hundred years
The congregation gives thanks for a century of God’s faithfulness in Sulur — the Robertson Memorial Centenary Church.
Worship goes online
In July 2020, during the pandemic, Sunday services begin to be streamed live under Rev. P. Moses, Presbyter and Chairman, so that the congregation can worship together from home.
Confirmation and a new bishop
On 28 September 2025 Rt. Rev. Timothy Ravinder, Bishop in Coimbatore, leads a Confirmation service at RMC. In December, Rt. Rev. S. Prince Calvin succeeds him as bishop of the diocese.
Into a second century
Every Sunday at 9:00 AM the congregation gathers on Market Road — and online — led by Rev. Ramesh Joseph, Presbyter-in-charge.
Those who have served
Presbyters of RMC
The church has been served by many presbyters over more than a century. This record is being compiled.
| Years | Presbyter | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Present | Rev. Ramesh Joseph | Presbyter-in-charge and Chairman, CSI Sulur Pastorate |
| 2020 | Rev. P. Moses | Presbyter and Chairman; began the live streaming of services |
Help us tell the story
Do you have memories of RMC?
Much of our history lives in the albums, registers and memories of the families who have worshipped here. If you have old photographs, documents or stories — of the founding of the church and the Robertson it remembers, of past presbyters, or of the centenary in 2014 — please share them with the church office so that they can be preserved and added to this page.