TURQUOISE CHILL: A Visit to St. John's Church, Kolkata

Sunday, November 05, 2017

A Visit to St. John's Church, Kolkata

St. John's Church

After visiting the Tram Museum, we decided to check out this beautiful Church which we have seen so many times driving by.

St. John's Church, originally a cathedral, was among the first public buildings erected by the East India Company after Kolkata became the effective capital of British India. Located at the North – Western corner of Raj Bhavan construction of the St. John's Church started in 1784, with Rs 30,000 raised through a public lottery, and was completed in 1787. St. John's Church is the third oldest church in Calcutta (Kolkata) only next to the Armenian and the Old Mission Church. St. John's Church served as the Anglican Cathedral of Calcutta (Kolkata) till 1847 when it was transferred to St. Paul's Cathedral. St. John's Church was modelled according to the St Martin-in-the-Fields of London.

History and Architecture

The land for the St. John's Church was donated by the Maharaja Nabo Kishen Bahadur the founder of the Shovabazar RajFamily.The foundation stone was laid by Warren Hastings, the Governor General of India on 6 April 1784. Two marble plaques at the entrance of the St. John's Church mark the two historic events.

Built by architect James Agg the St John's church is built with a combination of brick and stone and was commonly known as the "Pathure Girja" (Stone Church). Stone was a rare material in the late 18th century Kolkata. The stones came from the medieval ruins of Gour, and were shipped down the Hooghly River. The minutes book in the church office tell in detail the story of how the ruins of Gaur were robbed to build St John's church.

The church is a large square structure in the Neoclassical architectural style. A stone spire 174 ft tall is its most distinctive feature. The spire holds a giant clock, which is wound every day.