Mangaluru: The 140-year-old CSI Sushanthi Nilaya at Mercara Hill will enter a new phase with the inauguration of its redeveloped community hall on Friday.The seven-month restoration of the late-19th-century Basel Mission building was fully sponsored by the Jonas family through Jonas Petro Products Pvt Ltd in memory of their late parents, S Eliya Jonas and V Sulochana Jonas.Speaking at a press meet on Wednesday, Sunil Jonas, director, Jonas Petro Products Pvt Ltd, along with managing director Sandhya Jonas and church presbyter Rev Santhosh Kumar Singh, said the redevelopment has transformed the building into a 300-seat, air-conditioned community hall while retaining its historic character.A key feature of the restoration was the preservation of the building’s traditional tiled roof. Skilled craftsmen from Keralam were engaged to restore the roof as part of the project. The company will also sponsor the maintenance expenses of the hall for one year.The dedication ceremony will be solemnised by CSI Karnataka Southern Diocese Bishop Rt Rev Hemachandra Kumar. Chief guest Rev Dr Dexter Maben and Rev Santhosh Kumar Singh will conduct the inaugural proceedings.Santhosh Kumar Johnas, Kiran Karat and Devaputra Kotian will attend as guests of honour. Area chairpersons of the Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Areas, the diocese treasurer and other church and community leaders are also expected to attend. The redevelopment combines the preservation of a historic Basel Mission-era structure with modern amenities, providing a community facility while retaining an important part of the area’s architectural heritage.
