The Board of Trustees had their first meeting on October 9, 1842. They had several more meetings subsequently and chalked out distinct programs of action to accomplish the tasks entrusted to them. In January 1842 a primary school was started bearing the name of “Pachaiyappa’s Central Institution” which the objective of providing free education to poor Hindus in the elementary branches of English Literature and Science, with instruction in Tamil and Telugu. The school functioned in a rented building on a rent of Rs.20/- per month. This was the beginning of Pachaiyappa’s College. On October 2nd, 1846, the foundation stone of “Pachaiyappa’s Hall”, as it was called, was laid by George Norton in a grand, colorful and glittering function. It is most fitting that George Norton is hailed as the Second Founder of Pachaiyappa’s Charities in recognition of h is yeoman services to the cause of education. The magnificent hall was built in 3½ years, on the model of the temple of Theses in Athens. This hall is a landmark in the busy locality of George Town. IN the vicinity of this hall, twelve, classrooms were built to accommodate 600 students. The new building was inaugurated on March 20, 1850 in a grand function, attended by a large number of European and Indian Intelligentsia. The Pachaiyappa Central Institution began functioning in the new building in 1850.

      Very soon the school grew in popularity, exceeding the expectations of the Trustees who were forced to rent another building on a rent of Rs.100/- a month. The primary school was elevated to a High School. The Hindus of Madras made strident demands for college education. At that time there were only two colleges in Madras City, the Presidency College and the Madras Christian College. Both were elitist in character, providing expensive education, accessible only to the aristocratic people. Responding to the rising demands of poor Hindus for college education, the Trustees started intermediate classes in 1880, affiliated to the Madras University, i.e. the school became a second-grade college. Again responding to popular pressure and acting on a suggestion from Mr. John Adam, the then Principal, the Trustees raised the College to a first grade college in 1889 and separated it from the High school and B.A. courses were started in some arts subjects.