biography

Ella Marie Maddock

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A Life of Faith and Service in India

Ella Marie Maddock was one of the earliest trained missionary nurses who served in India on behalf of the Disciples of Christ. She was born in 1865 in Ohio, United States of America, into a faithful Christian family. From a young age, she was raised with strong values of faith, service, and devotion to God.

Ella lost her father when she was very young. As the eldest child, she carried the responsibility of caring for her family. Even with these challenges, she continued her education with determination. After finishing high school, she studied nursing and became a registered nurse in Ohio. She worked for several years with dedication, gaining valuable experience in her profession.

Later, she felt a clear call from God to serve as a missionary. To prepare herself spiritually and practically, she joined the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. There, she received biblical training and also took part in hands-on missionary work. During this time, her burden for foreign missions grew stronger.

Ministry in India

After prayer and preparation, Ella applied for overseas missionary service. Her request was accepted, and she was sent to India to work mainly among women. In 1898, she arrived in Bina, Madhya Pradesh. She first spent time learning the local language so that she could serve the people more effectively. After this, she worked as a nurse in Bilaspur, caring for the sick with compassion.

Later, she moved to Deogarh, a well-known Hindu pilgrimage center in Odisha. There, she served faithfully among women and children. She provided medical help, cared for people in the leper colony, and taught children about Christ. She also spoke with pilgrims who visited Deogarh and shared the message of the Gospel with them. Her life reflected Christ’s love in both words and actions.

Ella worked with great passion and often pushed herself beyond her physical limits. The harsh climate, constant travel, and heavy workload weakened her health. In time, she became seriously ill with a deadly disease. In 1909, at the young age of 44, she peacefully went to be with her Lord.

Her life of sacrifice did not end with her death. Her example deeply inspired her sister Mary, who later came to India and served as a missionary for a short period. Ella Marie Maddock’s life remains a powerful testimony of faith, courage, and selfless service to God and humanity.

Chacko K Athialy

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Chacko K Athialy: In the year 1919, during the Maramon Convention in Kerala, Sadhu Sundar Singh spoke about his missionary experiences in Tibet. He especially emphasized how much Nepal needed missionaries. His heartfelt appeal touched many who were present. Among them was Annamma, who was pregnant at that time. As she listened, she silently decided to dedicate her unborn child to God’s service.
In March 1920, she gave birth to her son — Chacko Athialy.

Personal Information

  • Birth: 15-03-1920
  • Home Calling: 18-04-2011
  • Native Place: Kerala
  • Country: India
  • Field of Vision: Nepal & India

During his youth, Athialy joined the Indian freedom movement under the Congress Party, standing against British rule. However, a deep spiritual change came when he attended special meetings in Tiruvallur. There, he committed his whole life to serve God and received ministry training. After that, he began active evangelistic work in the Travancore region, though his heart still longed to go to Nepal one day.

In 1946, when India was shaken by riots, Athialy began his journey to Allahabad and nearly lost his life on the way. But with God’s protection, he reached the city safely and continued sharing the Gospel among students.

Later, in 1948, he went to Yavatmal to study at Union Biblical Seminary. During his time there, he saw God opening the doors for Nepal.
In the summer of 1950, he finally reached Nepal. He had no financial support, no home, and no security, yet he spent Easter day preaching the Gospel on the streets of Kathmandu with faith and courage.

Ministry in Nepal & India

After a short visit to India, he returned to Nepal in 1952 with a few companions. This time he met Bahadur Rana, a Christian who became his close partner in ministry.
In 1953, Athialy started the “Christa Shanta Sangham” church in Bahadur’s home. Through his sincere work, many Nepali people came to faith in Christ, and today the church has grown to thousands of believers.

Even after retiring in 1986, Athialy did not choose a quiet life. Instead, he began working in Chhattisgarh, sharing the Gospel among the Satnami tribes, even though the environment was hostile and difficult.
In his old age, he still carried a bag filled with Gospel tracts and continued to preach wherever he went. At 91 years of age, he peacefully went to be with the Lord after a lifetime of faithful ministry.