The history of the English Church at San Thome, in its early stages, is the history of the Vepery Mission, which is the oldest Mission of the Church of England in India, having been inaugurated by the S.P.C.K. In 1728 at the instance of Benjamin Schultz, then head of the Danish mission at Tranquebar, after obtaining the permission of the King of Denmark and also promise of protection from the East India Company, the S.P.C.K. Period of the Mission came to an end in 1826 just two years before the completion of its centenary, and with it came to an end also the anomalous position of non-Anglican Missionaries, Continental, being engaged by an Anglican Missionary Society, now the S.P.G. The San Thome Mission was the eldest daughter of the Vepery Mission, but not apparently the best-cared-for daughter, for ever since 1810, taking advantage of the neglected state of the field, other bodies successively worked there, until 1822, when Elijah Hoole, on behalf of the Methodist Mission, arrived on the scene, concentrating, however, chiefly on itinerating European work and relinquishing charge of the Tamil congregation after two years.