Women’s Christian College, founded in 1915 by the efforts of twelve missionary societies from Britain, Canada and USA, and located on College Road in Nungambakkam, is one of the oldest and most renowned women’s colleges in Chennai. Starting from a humble beginning of 41 students, the campus today houses 4000+ students and around 200 faculty members. Over a century old, it boasts of a rich culture and heritage, with numerous stories to share and history stored in its walls. This includes a number of unblemished heritage buildings within its verdant campus.
Although the campus consists of numerous buildings added over a period of time to house different departments, facilities and hostels, some of the oldest buildings that stand out due to their monumental and architectural nature, significance and history, are Doveton House, Chapel and Science Block.
Doveton House, a stately Georgian colonial mansion constructed in 1798, stands majestic with imposing pillars, an elephant portico and a spacious lawn in front bearing the college logo and motto. Formerly used by the British East India Company and also credited for hosting the 1914 session of Indian National Congress, Doveton House, which has all the charm of a historic vacation bungalow, has served as the administrative hub of the college ever since WCC acquired it and its surrounding property in 1916. Twelve College Principals (one of them serving two terms), countless staff and students share the pride of belonging to the hallowed halls of this heritage building. What’s more, the building remains the same to date, apart from necessary repairs that don’t alter the structure in any way.
The Chapel, with its all-white interior, high arches that form a domed ceiling, and multiple doors, was constructed with the help of a generous donation by an anonymous American and built by two Madras Quakers in 1923. At the entrance to the Chapel is the inscription: TO THE GLORY OF GOD THIS CHAPEL, THE GIFT OF AN UNKNOWN AMERICAN FRIEND, WAS BUILT A.D.1923. How great a gift this Chapel was and yet how quietly given! How eloquent its message for all time on how to give! The chapel consists of a high ceiling, an apse where there is a simple wooden cross, and a large Indian lamp, the college symbol, hanging above the inner arch and illuminating the chapel, in keeping with the college motto, “Lighted to Lighten”. This house of worship once had the honour of hosting Rabindranath Tagore, in 1922, when he spoke and sang to a group of awestruck students there. This deceivingly small looking building is a marvellous piece of architecture and serves as the spiritual nerve-centre for staff and students. It is said to be the “Heart of campus” in more ways than one and is peacefully nestled among shrubs and trees, facing Main hostel and the beloved Lily pond.
The third monumental building is the Science Block, where one finds the words “The whole earth is full of His glory” engraved atop the entrance. One of the biggest buildings on campus, with tall pillars and spacious verandas, it was constructed by a crew of 325 people in 1922 and opened in 1925. The two-storeyed building was made possible by a donation from America to the Seven Colleges Fund. On the insistence of Ms Edith Coon, Vice Principal of the time, a building to accommodate the steadily growing science departments was envisaged. The building houses large gallery-style classrooms, laboratories, staff rooms, an assembly hall, and two open-air quadrangles that serve as pleasing gardens. Students enjoy congregating in the long hallways and broad staircase of the building during recess.
The cherished buildings of WCC are almost like a second home for students like me. Both students and faculty who have come and gone over the past 106 years can look back at their time spent in these marvels of architecture and find treasured memories there. What’s more, the lush flora and fauna in the campus inspires students to take in the surreal beauty of nature that has a different hue and form every season.
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