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The Venerable Reverend Dr Devasahayam David Chelliah (14 March 1894 – 2 April 1979) JP OBE, was the first Asian Archdeacon of Singapore.

Early life and education

Born in the Tirunelveli district, South India on 14 March 1894, he was the fifth of the nine children. Chelliah moved to Penang, Malaya at the age of seventeen to take up a job offer as the Headmaster of an Anglican school. In early 1912 he became a Headmaster of St George's Mission Primary School. In 1915 he became one of the staff of Anglo-Chinese School which was managed by the American Methodist Mission.

Chelliah left for London in September 1922 to study at the University of London and graduated with Honours Degree (External) in 1923. He extended his study leave to attended the London Day Training College and obtained a Post-Graduate Diploma in Teaching in 1924. Following which, he returned to Malaya to marry to his wife.

Chelliah got his PhD from the University of London in June 1940.

Priesthood

Chelliah ordained as Deacon of St Andrew's Cathedral on 20 September 1940, before moving his family to and arriving in Singapore on 31 December 1940, and as a Priest in 1941.

He was an Assistant master at St Andrew's School, Singapore from 1940 to 1946; and its Vice Principal from 1946 to 1961. He was Acting Dean of St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore from 1943 to 1945. He became Archdeacon of Singapore from 1958 to 1967. He was Priest in charge of St Paul's Church, Singapore from 1961 to 1970. He was an Honorary Canon of St Andrew's Cathedral, Singapore from 1949 to 1971; after which he was Canon Emeritus.

Personal life

Upon his return to Malaya, Chelliah married Mary Ebenezer Rosalind Mani in 1925 and they had six children:

• David Ernest Srinivasagam Chelliah,
• Iris Ponnu Constance Nallayya
• Jazmyn Margurite Elizabeth Chelliah
• Jonathan Chelliah
• Noelle George
• Leaena Tambyah.

His wife Rosalind died on 26 November 1971. Chelliah died at the Toa Payoh Hospital, Singapore at 2.10 am on 2 April 1979 at the age of 85.

References

1. Photo of Chelliah Archived 2013-10-02 at the Wayback Machine
2. "Up and on ' 79" (PDF).
3. Crockford's Clerical Directory 1975-76 p175: London, Oxford University Press, 1976 ISBN 0-19-200008-X
4. National Library of Singapore
5. "Man of Faith, Master Teacher" Tambyah,L: Singapore, Armour, 2007, ISBN 978-981-4138-91-8
6. "Up and on 1990" (PDF).
7. "'Matador' in life's arena". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
8. "Deaths". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 2021-09-10.
9. "Former school head Chelliah dies". eresources.nlb.gov.sg. Retrieved 2021-09-10.

• 1894 births
• 1979 deaths
• Alumni of the University of London
• Archdeacons of Singapore
• Religion in Singapore