Beautiful Indian Churches

Prathanalaya Chapel, Bandra, Mumbai (Sister Disciples of the Divine Master)

2019-04-14T12:29:00.004-07:00

Located on the very popular Bandstand Promenade in Bandra West, is a Chapel and Liturgical Art Centre belonging to the (Roman Catholic) Sister Disciples of the Divine Master. One can visit this place for a quite moment of prayer in the first floor chapel and also visit the ground floor store for religious art and products such as vestments, candle stands, chalices, altar crosses, monstrances, rosaries, statues and a lot more.

Prathanalaya Chapel and Liturgical Art Centre, Bandstand Promenade, Bandra

From the road outside

View of the promenade from Prathanalaya main gate

The serene and calm of the outside, makes it a great place for worship and spiritual reflection

The Pious Disciples of the Divine Master (PDDM) have been in India since 1954. The Sisters moved to a house of their own in Mumbai on 8th December 1961. They now have branches in 20 cities across India. One can visit the Prathanalaya store on the ground floor before heading to the first floor chapel.

Staircase to the first floor Chapel

The religious products' store on the ground floor

The religious products' store on the ground floor

The Chapel - Nave followed by the Sanctuary and the Altar

Another view of the Chapel - windows open to the Bandstand Promenade

The Altar with Monstrance for Eucharistic Adoration

PDDM practice perpetual Eucharistic Adoration. This is a constant scene at the Chapel - there is always one sister praying, round the clock before Jesus in the Eucharist.

The Altar with the Monstrance for Eucharistic Adoration and the pews

The 'Narthex' end of the Chapel

St. Paul - PDDM also practice contemplation of the works of the Apostle Paul

Religious art (or perhaps stations of the cross) on the Narthex end wall of the Chapel

Please leave your comments and suggestions if any, for the blog. If you have some good pictures of this lovely Chapel, then please send them over on niklucknow@gmail.com. I'll post them here with due credit.

Christ Church, Mathura (Church of North India)

2016-11-12T14:40:00.000-08:00

I came across pictures of Christ Church, Mathura while randomly browsing on details for churches' in Mathura. The pictures were bound to catch up attention due to the peculiar architecture of this church building. My first reaction was that of confusion and intrigue. The building didn't conform to any one style of church architectures popular in India.

The side view of the church.

(Picture Courtesy: Shweta Sherry, Mathura)

The Church as it appears from the front.

(Picture Courtesy: Beautiful Mathura's FB page)

After seing pictures on the internet, I was resolute to visit the Church during my short visit. Mathura is a city in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is located approximately 50 kilometers north of Agra, and 145 kilometers south east of Delhi. Mathura is a popular Hindu pilgrimage destination being the birthplace of Krishna. Christ Church is located in the Cantonment.

The Church as it appears from the left entrance gate to the compound.

More popularly known as the English Church, Muttra (in old memoirs and post cards) the church was consecrated by Bishop Dealtry in December, 1856.

The Rt. Rev. Thomas Dealtry (1795-1861) was the Anglican Bishop of Madras.
(Picture Source: Wikipedia)

The Church is in a nondescript style of architecture. It's bell tower looks like an Italian campanile. While the church itself is in the formal classical temple architecture of the ancient Greeks and Romans. This style is perfectly suited to local conditions. A large open interior space for worship is particularly useful in making air circulation easy, which is important in the tropical climate of northern India.

Side view of the church from the bell tower end.

Side of the church from the front end.

Chancel end of the church with the campanile or the bell tower on right.

Another view of the Church from the back with the bell tower.
(Picture Courtesy: Shweta Sherry, Mathura)

F.S.Growse in his 'Mathura A District Memoir' wrote "The only exceptions are the lofty minarets of the Jama Masjid on the one side, and the campanile of the English Church seen through the trees in the distance below".

Church Muttra: Coloured Printed Postcard by Moorli Dhur & Sons, Ambala.
(Source: ebid.net)

Notice the bright red colour on the church, its possible that the church was earlier painted in a darker shade. Red is a common color for many Anglican churches of the time.

The front porch and entrance to the Church.

Here's a link to another post card printed in 1910 with the English Church as it appeared from front: click here. Do visit wiki.fibis.org - an encyclopaedia about life in British India. Its a great resource.

The Front porch and the entrance door as they appear today.

The main entrance door, notice the beautiful wedge wood plaster work over the door.

Close up of the beautiful wedge wood work perhaps in plaster or wood over the main entrance door.

When I visited the church the presbyter in charge was not on the location, so I could not see the church from inside. I am lucky to have come across Shweta from Mathura who was very kind enough to share pictures from inside. All of the pictures below have been shared by her except the last two.

The Holy altar, decorated perhaps for a festival or wedding.

Another close up of the Altar - this time without the decoration.

Holiness to the Lord - inscriptions as the steps to the Altar.

The chancel and the Altar.

The Stained glass window behind he altar.

The stained-glass were a later addition to the church. They were put in memory of a young officer of the 10th Hussars, who met his death by an accident while "out pig-sticking near Shergarh".

Close up of the stained glass window.

A memorial tablet on the Church wall, perhaps of the same person in whose memory the stained glass windows were added.

Church pews as they appear from the Chancel.

Church as it appear from the entrance door.

The Pulpit.

The Presbyter's chair.

At the entrance gate to the church compound. Christ Church formerly Church of England now Church of North India - Diocese of Agra.

The post card from Colonial period showing the Church.

Please do leave your comments and in case you have old pictures or other information related to the church, then please do share on my email: niklucknow@gmail.com.

St. Peter's Church (Church of North India), Charbagh, Lucknow

2016-04-10T11:11:00.000-07:00

I have another blog on on themes around Colonial Lucknow, where I have recently posted about the St. Peter's Church at Charbagh in Lucknow.

It belongs to the Church of North India. Please have a look.

http://coloniallucknow.blogspot.in/2016/04/st-peters-railwaymens-church-charbagh.html

Holy Redeemer Church (Roman Catholic), Lucknow.

2015-10-01T00:58:00.004-07:00

The Holy Redeemer Church (Roman Catholic) in Lucknow was consecrated in 1934. You can view the post on my other blog on themes around colonial Lucknow: http://coloniallucknow.blogspot.in.

Use this link to directly reach the post: http://coloniallucknow.blogspot.in/2015/04/holy-redeemer-church-roman-catholic.html.

Churches at Purandar Fort, Pune

2015-08-29T11:58:00.001-07:00

While searching for information on churches in Pune area, Google produced a picture of a derelict church in Purandar Fort. Its unusual location caught my interest. Purandar Fort (sometimes called Purandhar and even Poorundhar) is an old Maharatta fort standing 4472 feet above the sea and is located 50 kms southeast of Pune ahead of village Saswad. In 1818 the British under General Pritzler took over the fort. Used mainly as a sanatorium for British soldiers, during World War II it became a German internment camp. Hermann M Selzer in ‘World War II in British India’ states ‘Purandhar was established as family camp for Jews and other anti-Nazis…Interment and Parole Camp’.

Purandar is a popular trekking destination for the locals who refer to the structure as the ‘abandoned’ or the ‘old’ church. On further research I found that there are not 1 but 2 places of Christian worship in this fort ‘situated on a mountain top... far away from any major town… completely isolated’.

Note: None of the below pictures are mine. For each of the pictures I have mentioned the source. If the respective owners want me to remove any of these, please leave a note on my blog and I shall comply.

1st place of worship on Purandar Fort: The church

(Pic Source: fort-trekking.blogspot.com)

2nd place of worship on Purandar Fort: The Chapel

(Pic Source: panoramio.com)

The Fitzclarence Memorial Church

(Pic Source: team-bhp.com)

'And the little church in memory of Lord Frederick Fitzclarence (died A.D. 1856), son of King William IV, is likewise a very provincial product.’ Source: German Missions in British India – Nationalism: Case and Crisis in Missions.

Another source names it as Holy Trinity Church. 'The beautiful little garrison church of Holy Trinity was consecrated in 1865, it is an English architecture style constructed building... It is associated with the memory of Lord Frederick Fitzclarence, a cousin of queen Victoria, who was commandant of the Bombay army and died in Purandhar in 1854'.

View of the beautiful valley from the church roof

(Pic Source: www.tripoto.com)

Church as it appears from the valley beneath

(Pic Source: www.tripoto.com)

The church is located just beyond one of the main fort gates

(Pic Source: marathachronicles.blogspot.in)

'On Sunday mornings there was the possibility that at least three Protestant denominational services might be held at Purandhar Camp. The internees had the occasion to worship with those persons of their belief and national sentiments. Anglican, Lutheran and Presbyterian worship services - weekly, monthly or irregularly, depending upon the availability of the chaplain, the minister or the missionary-were held at the "small pretty church there" the Fitzclarence Memorial Church, just east of the main entrance gate of the camp' Source: German Missions in British India – Nationalism: Case and Crisis in Missions.

The main entrance door to the church - the picture appears to be taken before the white wash of the walls from inside

(Picture by Roopesh Kohad on flickr.com)

Side view of the Church with the buttresses and further ahead a conical roof perhaps that of the vestry

(Pic Source: team-bhp.com)

Map of India just outside the church

(Pic Source: team-bhp.com)

The chancel end of the Church - which once adorned the stained glass windows - picture taken during monsoons

(Pic Source: www.summitpost.org)

‘And with Purandhar’s magnificent flora - probably the most varied in India within this limited space, it is not difficult to imagine the beautiful setting of the Fitzclarence Memorial Church and its altar graced by the sunlight streaming through the elegant stained-glass windows. These Christian baptisms were inspirational moments...’ Source: German Missions in British India – Nationalism: Case and Crisis in Missions

The Belfry

(Pic Source: panoramio.com)

A 1945 picture complete with the bell, doors and windows

Decorated perhaps by the Army at Christmas

(Pic Source: team-bhp.com)

Decorated perhaps by the Army at Christmas - Inside the church

(Pic Source: team-bhp.com)

Inside the Church before the white wash (names scribbled all over the walls) - raised platform on the left perhaps for the pulpit

(Picture by Dinesh Valke on flickr.com)

Closer to the altar - door on right perhaps to the vestry

(Picture by raymasky on flickr.com)

'I remember how we also decorated the church altar for the baptisms, for the many which took place. It was especially pretty. Each one thought how attractively they could adorn the church' Source: German Missions in British India – Nationalism: Case and Crisis in Missions

The Nave before the white wash - the beautiful wooden beams supporting the roof have been very poorly white washed

(Pic Source: picasa)

The windows at the Chancel end of the church

(Pic Source: team-bhp.com)

2nd place of worship: The chapel

View of the chapel with arched windows and the potico on the right

(Picture by raymasky on flickr.com)

'The Roman Catholic fathers held their masses in the smaller chapel situated between Purandhar East and West' Source: German Missions in British India – Nationalism: Case and Crisis in Missions

Closer view of the chapel

(Pic Source: fortsandtreks.blogspot.com)

With buttresses and arched widows - chancel on the left

(Pic Source: tripoto.com)

Front of the Chapel with the portico - visitors enjoying the weather

(Pic source: tripoto.com)

The portico

(Picture by raymasky on flickr.com)

The Belfry

(Picture by Abhijit Rao on tripr.in)

Sun shine through the Belfry

(Pic Source: cyclists.in)

The chancel end of the Chapel - with perhaps the vestry on left

(Picture by Dinesh Valke on flickr.com)

A closer view of the roof

(Picture by Dinesh Valke on flickr.com)

The chapel appears to me like a scaled down version of the design used for St. Mary's Church in Belgaum, Karnataka - picture below. Notice the similarities in the belfry, the portico and the roof.

(Pic Source: industrialtour.com)

The Nave and the chancel

(Picture by Amit Rawat on flickr.com)

Please leave your comments on how you found the post. Also if you have any other information or pictures that I can add to the post.

St. Paul's Church (Roman Catholic), Lucknow Cantonment, Lucknow

2013-12-26T05:54:00.003-08:00

You can view the post on my other blog on themes around colonial Lucknow: http://coloniallucknow.blogspot.in.

Use this link to view the post: http://coloniallucknow.blogspot.in/2013/12/st-pauls-church-roman-catholic-lucknow.html.

Christ Church, Mahabaleshwar

2013-09-15T06:43:00.000-07:00

Christ Church, Mahabaleshwar

I recently visited Mahabaleshwar for a short 2 days trip. I had seen few pictures of this dilapidated Church on the internet (its marked as 'Protestant Church' on the Google Maps). During my visit monsoon was at its peak and the whole city was covered in thick clouds (being at a good height) and mist all the time. Which made even the day time visibility very poor. The pictures of the Church and its compound would give you an idea of how Mahabaleshwar looks like in monsoons.

History

Sadly not much is available on the internet about this Church. The Church is no more in use (as is the case with many British Churches in India). I don't know the exact reason for disuse of the Church. Whether it is because of no worshipers left to Worship or land disputes and scandals which are ever so common now in Indian Church. The Church was built in 1842 and consecrated by the first Bishop Dr. Carr in the same year. It was enlarged and extended in 1867. Its stained glass work is worth. It is early English style design.

My Visit

During my visit I took my taxi straight inside the compound. On my way out we saw an old gentleman closing the gates. Our first reaction was that of relief that we were just in time otherwise we would have been locked inside for don't know how long. But the old fellow kept on locking the gate in spite of seeing us - which alarmed me. I got out of my taxi and requested him to open the gate to which he questioned on whose permission had I entered the compound. He said that the Church has been closed for few years now and no one was allowed without permission. I apologized for the mistake and requested him to let us go as we were just tourists to his city. After which he did let us go but after a warning. I am not surprised when such compounds at premium locations are left to squatters. This is how they stop even genuine tourists. Off course i couldn't get a peak inside.

This pictures is not taken by me - its found on www.greatmirror.com. It would give you an idea of how the church looks like on a clear bright day.

The Church compound wall - sorry for the poor quality, the picture was taken from a moving taxi window.

The gate to the church compound - you have go up a muddy inclined road to reach the Church.

View of the Front

View of the Front - 1. Notice the green moss all around.

View of the Front and the right corridor. Notice the plastic sheet covering the main door. I am not sure if it is replacing the main door (more likely) or covering the main door from moisture.

The Corridor on the right.

The Left Corridor.

Beautiful arches of the front porch.

View of the Church compound from the front porch.

A blue plastic sheet pinned to the door frame - now replaces the main door I believe.

Left corridor - with a missing window covered in blue plastic.

Perhaps the Vestry and/or the sacristy.

The Dilapidated vestry and/or the Sacristy.

The Chancel from outside and the stained glass windows (as per some websites).

A cottage beside the Church perhaps that of the caretaker or the squatters.

The compound extends at the back of the Church leading perhaps to the Parsonage. Quite an eerie picture - but that is how the whole of Mahabaleshwar looks like for most part of the Monsoons.

View of the Church compound - go straight for the compound main gate.

Another view of the Church compound.

View of the front porch from the left side.

Gate to another Anglican Church (now Church of North India) in the nearby town of Panchgani. Didn't go in as could not risk being locked inside the compound again. :)

Road side shrine of Fatima Mata Samaj (फातिमा माता समाज), Talavli, Dongri (Mumbai, India)

2013-05-04T12:19:00.001-07:00

I took these pictures on my way home after spending some fun time with my office colleagues at the famous Water Kingdom. This may not be a church (i.e. in keeping with the theme of my blog) however it is a nice peaceful place of Christian worship (RC). Such road side shrines are very common to any catholic neighborhood in this part of India (Maharashtra and Konkan area). This shrine is on the main road leading to Gorai and Manori areas.

View from the Road

View of the main prayer area

View of the main prayer area - 1

The inauguration stone

Main Hall with the Cross and Our Lady of Fatima (Note the back ground picture depiction)

Main Hall (on the left)

Main Hall (on the right)

Close up of the main altar Cross and Our Lady's statue

Road Side Cross on Dongri - Gorai Road 1

Road Side Cross on Dongri - Gorai Road 2

Road Side Cross on Dongri - Gorai Road 3

Good Shepherd Church (Roman Catholic), Andheri West, Mumbai

2012-12-22T12:39:00.000-08:00

I recently attended a wedding of an ex-colleague at the Good Shepherd Church in Andheri West, Mumbai. It is a Roman Catholic Church consecrated in 1985 and serves the local Catholic community in the Four Bungalows and Andheri Lokhandwala areas.

Architecturally there is nothing outstanding about the building, it appears more like a fight for space in the space stricken city of Mumbai. But never the less its a place of worship and has a great sentimental value for people who worship here so that's what makes it beautiful.

View from the road

The Grotto on the left of the main Church building

The Grotto - 2

The corridor on the left

View of the main hall from the left corridor

The Eucharistic Chapel (Eucharistic Adoration) at the head of the left corridor

The main hall

The Cross behind the altar

Scenes from Bible painted on the back wall

Saints painted on the windows and Chandeliers on the roof. Not sure of the reason for conical ceiling.

Outside view

Entrance to the main hall

The church compound

Statue of Christ the Good Shepherd on the right

During a Wedding Mass

The Tabernacle

Saints at the entrance door - 1

Saints at the entrance door - 2

At the entrance door

Extension to the main hall on the right

More of All Saints Garrison Church (Church of North India), Lucknow

2012-11-08T13:34:00.002-08:00

Here are some more pictures of historic All Saints Garrison Church (Church of North India), Lucknow taken on a bright November morning - 04th November 2012.

The Church compound (over grown with vegetation)

Flashlights - recent addition to the Church compound

The Church building - 1

The Church building - 2

Beautiful plant pots in the side corridor

The pews for the choir - now only used to seat the Presbyter hence the lectern and the table fan

The pews for the choir - with the pulpit behind the benches

The Pulpit (hardly used now)

By the looks of it - this should have been the Side Chapel for The Daily Office

The Holy Altar - notice the priest stands facing the altar when celebrating the Lord's Supper and not the congregation

The Holy Altar - notice the wooden Retable/Reredos behind the Altar

The wooden Retable/Reredos behind the Altar

During a Lord's Supper Service (Rev. Pearl Prashad Retd. at the Altar with the Lay Leader kneeling beside)

Balcony over the main entrance door with the Baptismal Font below

The balcony over the main entrance door

The Baptismal Font with the main entrance door behind

There are not many memorial tablets in the church - here are the pictures of the few. I have tried to capture the details on the tablets as clearly as I could with my low resolution camera.

1857/58 Memorial Tablet to soldiers from No.3 Company 8th Battlion Royal Artillery

Memorial Tablet to 73rd Perthshire Regiment Men - 1

Memorial Tablet to 73rd Perthshire Regiment Men - 2 (Top)

Memorial Tablet to 73rd Perthshire Regiment Men - 3 (second half)

Memorial Tablet to Men from East Yorkshire Regiment

The Church Vestry

Rev. Pearl Prashad (Retd.) filling in for our Presbyter Rev. Daniel Subhan who was out of town attending a conference in Chennai.

Rev. Pearl Prashad (Retd.) also happens to be the first women priest ordained in The Church of North India.

==================

Adding few more pictures taken yesterday i.e. Sunday 11th November 2012.

The Church on a bright Sunday Morning

View from the Main entrance door

View from the Baptismal font

One of the Side entrances and the front pews

Supposedly the Side Chapel (not in use for a long time now)

Rev. Daniel Subhan (Presbyter in charge) conducting the Lord's supper service

Rev. Daniel Subhan (Presbyter in charge) at the altar conducting the Lord's supper service

Entrance to the Vestry

The 2 cottages in the Church compound

Some more pictures of Saints Stephen’s Church (Church of North India), Mumbai

2012-09-30T01:29:00.001-07:00

This is my Church in Mumbai. It was founded in 1845 and has served the Anglicans in Mumbai since then. It’s a beautiful small Church atop the famous Mount Mary overlooking the Arabian Sea. Due its small size and simple exteriors the Church gets missed out by many devotees who flock the other Church (Catholic) on the hill. The Church has a thriving congregation from different cultural backgrounds just like the City Mumbai which is also truly cosmopolitan.

Currently serving the Church as Presbyter is Rev. K. I. Dyvasirvadam.

I have posted more pictures of Saints Stephen’s before on this blog; please click here and here to view them.

The Altar

The Altar and The Pulpit

The Pews

Plaque with foundation details

Padres who have served here

A Memorial Tablet inside the Church

Entrance to the Church Cemetery

View of the Cemetery from the Parish Hall

Another view of the Church Cemetery - On right hand the Main Entrance to the Church

Inside the Parish Hall - also serves as the community center

St. Mungo’s Church of Scotland, Lucknow Cantonment, Lucknow

2012-07-28T01:35:00.003-07:00

I could only get this single picture of the beautiful St. Mungo’s Church of Scotland, Lucknow Cantonment as I was not allowed to take a picture from a point within the campus. It is located within Army’s regional recruitment centre. I visited the centre this July 2012 during my Lucknow visit. I requested a ‘Jawan’ (who approached me to check the purpose of my visit) to allow me a quick round of the church building – To my surprise he kept insisting that it was not a Church. I only realised the reason later that in 1976 the Church had been deconsecrated, handed over to Army and was no more a “place of workship”.

I was asked to wait while he went in to seek some permission and I had to wait for 20 minutes in the Lucknow sun. Later I was told that I could only read the board outside the Church Building from a far of point. I was not allowed to take any pictures as well. But whatever I could see from a far off point the condition of the Church was very poor. Doors had been reduced to frames and ceiling was falling down from many places. It’s a surprise as I’ve seen other old building now handed over to Army being maintained very well.

Next time I'll try and take proper permissions from the local Army headquarters and then try. It is a beautiful church (even after all these years of neglect) and it saddens my heart to see that a monument of Lucknowi and Scottish heritage is in a danger to being lost for ever.

St. Mungo's Church of Scotland was consecrated on Sunday 31st November 1909 by the Rev. G. T. Chree (Presidency Senior Chaplain of Bengal) and ever since Indian independence it has been in dispute off and on between the Church and Local Army establishment. I hope to get a closer view next time.

View from the main road

Sorry about the poor quality of the picture, it was taken using my mobile phone camera. I wish we could do something to restore the building into its pristine condition.

All Saints Cathedral (Church of North India, Diocese of Lucknow), Allahabad

2012-07-17T10:39:00.001-07:00

When returning to Lucknow this morning (17/07/2012) on my way, I made it a point to visit The All Saints Cathedral (Church of North India, Diocese of Lucknow). It was designed by the English architect William Emerson who styled it in 13th Century Gothic architectural style.

Unfortunately the Church was closed so I could not view the interiors. The guard was very hesitant to let me in the compound alone, so he accompanied me while I took a round of this magnificent building and took some pictures. It is indeed one of the most beautiful church (externally at least) that I have seen till date.

Here are some pictures of the Church and the surrounding lawns.

View of the Church from one of the entrance gates - 1

View of the Church from one of the entrance gates - 2

The Church Bell hangs separately in the Church Lawn - Not sure if there is another one in the building

Behind the Bell across the road is the Bishop's house

The Bell and a pond full of Lotus flowers on its side

One of the Side Entrances

The Front Main Door

Church Building - 1

Church Building - 2

Church Building - 3

Church Lawns - currently over grown due to rains 1 (Notice the Flood/Focus lights)

Church Lawns - currently over grown due to rains 2

Grave of Rt. Rev. George Herbert Westcott. The second Bishop of the Anglican Diocese of Lucknow, he succeeded Rev. Dr. A Clifford in 1910 and died while still in office in 1928.
Inscription:
In very loving memory of George Herbert Westcott,
S.P.G. Missionary Cawnpur 1889-1910
Bishop of Lucknow November 6th. 1910
to January 16th. 1928.

Church Building - 4

Church Building - 5

Church Lawns - currently over grown due to rains 4

Church Building - 6

Board at the entrance gate - with the name of the current Presbyter Reverend G Daud

Allahabad Bible Seminary Chapel, Stanley Road, Allahabad (Denomination: Evangelical Church of India)

2012-07-17T04:08:00.000-07:00

I visited Allahabad Bible Seminary (Allahabad) on my return journey to Lucknow today morning (17th July, 2012). Allahabad Bible Seminary is a well-known institution and was established in July 1942. There is a beautiful Chapel on the campus and the Seminary also houses the Registered Office of the Evangelical Church of India. Here are some pictures of the Chapel and the Seminary Campus. The Website of the seminary is http://www.abseminary.org/.

The Main Gate to the Seminary Campus

The Campus also houses the office of The Evangelical Church of India

The security guard at the gate was very hesitant to let me in without permission. So we sought for the permission from the Associate Priest of the Allahabad Bible Seminary Chapel Reverend Noel to let me go around the campus and take few pictures. Reverend Noel and the ABS library behind him.

Memorial Library in the ABS campus – 1

Memorial Library in the ABS campus – 2

Side view of the Chapel – 1

Main Entrance to the Chapel

Tablet at the entrance of the Chapel

Chapel from Inside – 1

Chapel from Inside – 2

Side view of the Chapel – 2

Side view of the Chapel – 3

Side view of the Chapel – 4

View from behind the Chapel

Campus buildings – 1

Campus buildings – 2

Campus buildings – 3

Campus buildings – 4

Please pray for the Allahabad Bible Seminary and its various ministries.

20th August 2018

Here some latest pictures of the ABS Chapel, which I've picked from Rev. Pervez Sethna's FB page (and have his kind permission to use them).

Chapel and the ABS grounds in monsoon - 1

Chapel and the ABS grounds in monsoon - 2

Chapel and the ABS grounds in monsoon - 3

Chapel and the ABS grounds in monsoon - 4

Chapel from inside with its congregation - 1

Chapel from inside with its congregation - 2

All Saints Garrison Church (Church of North India) Lucknow - Revisited

2012-07-09T07:46:00.000-07:00

Visited the good old Church in Lucknow cantonment again today (9th July 2012). Met Reverend Daniel Subhan at the parsonage. Mrs. Subhan is visiting her Son in USA. It was fabulous meeting him again after few months and got to catch up on the recent activities in the CNI Diocese of Lucknow.

Here are some more pictures of the Church and the Parsonage.

View of the MG Road Crossing Entrance Gate

The Board with Church information at the Main Entrance gate to the Church (on MG Road Crossing), it is hardly used now except on bigger occasions

View of the Church Compound from the MG Road Crossing Entrance Gate

View of Church from the Main Entrance Gate

View 2 of Church from the Main Entrance Gate

Church Compound leading to the Main Gate (pictures of the gate above) at top right

Church Compound leading to the Second Gate

Cottages in the Church Compound

View of the Church from the Cottages

On this Site Stood the altar of the first Church built in 1860(by side of the new building)

The original Stone which lay here before it broke few years back - its kept in one of the cottages now

Mr. Melando Hansda the current caretaker of the Church standing at the site of the original altar.A part time caretaker I must add -

He is also a field missionary of a Missionary Society.

Parsonage - 1

Parsonage - 2

Parsonage - 3

Parsonage - 4

Parsonage - 5

Pictures of St. Mary’s Church in Lansdowne, Uttarakhand, India

2012-04-25T11:22:00.001-07:00

Lansdowne is a picturesque cantonment town in Pauri Garhwal district in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. Founded in 1887 and developed by the British as training center of the Garhwal Rifles. It is the perfect place to meditate and rejuvenate your soul.

To know more about Lansdowne click here.

Here are some pictures of St. Mary’s Church taken by my brother when he visited Lansdowne recently as part of his college trip. Thank you Akhil for sharing the pictures. GOD Bless.

About the Church: Construction of this Protestant (I am sure Anglican) Church began in 1895 by Lieutenant Hume of Royal Engineers. It was completed in 1896. The church fell into disuse after 1947. The building has now been restored by Garhwal Rifle Regiment.

Group of visitors adoring the Sanctum Sanctorum

The Altar

Visitors watching a film on Garhwal Rifles Regiment - 1

Visitors watching a film on Garhwal Rifles Regiment - 2

Memorabilia and trinkets from the local past – 1

Memorabilia and trinkets from the local past – 2

Garhwal Rifles Regiment - who maintain the church building

Repairs being done

Christ Church (Church of North India), Shimla, India by night

2012-04-23T11:04:00.001-07:00

Christ Church, Shimla, India is one of the most prominent landmarks of Shimla. There would hardly be a person who would not have seen Christ Church’s picture or video before. It is a parish in the diocese of Amritsar in the Church of North India.

Official website of the Church: http://christchurchshimla.com/

Here are some of the pictures taken by my brother when he visited Shimla recently. The pictures have been taken at night. Everyone has seen Christ Church by day, here are some pictures by night. Thank you Akhil for the pictures. GOD Bless.

The silhouette of Christ Church is visible for miles around the vicinity of Shimla city.

The usual church notices…

Second oldest in North India, supposedly built in 1857. Historical Indeed...

Our Lady of Dolours Church, Dahanu, Maharashtra, India

2012-04-14T05:42:00.001-07:00

Dahanu (Marathi: डहाणू) is a small, sleepy coastal city and a municipal council in Thane district in the western state of Maharashtra, India on the shores of Arabian Sea.

I spent the whole day yesterday (13/04/12) relaxing at resort on a Dahanu beach. These pictures of ‘Our Lady of Dolours Church’ (Our Lady of Sorrows) were taken on my way to the railway station when returning to Mumbai.

Main Entrance View to the Church

Grotto on the right hand side of the church. The sign below the Madonna reads ‘Namo Maria’ in Marathi meaning ‘Hail Mary’

Another picture of the Church 1

Another picture of the Church 2

==============================================================

20^th August 2013.

Valerian (Rozario) from Dahanu has shared these pictures of the Our Lady of Dolours Church early this year. These pictures would give you an idea of how the Church looks from inside. Here’s the email and pictures from Valerian. Thank you Valerian – God Bless.

Dear Nikhil,

Please find attached herewith some pictures of the Our Lady of Dolours Church, Dahanu. In your picture posted on your blog you can see a board [75] written on it, it was put up on the occasion of celebrating the Platinum Jubilee of the building of the Church.

Thanks once again for the postings and when you visit again let’s hope to meet in person.

God Bless You,

Regards,

Valerian Rozario

The Church

The main altar during a Mass

The extension hall

Inside view of the old church

The Crucifix

Statue of Our Lady of Dolours

Our Lady of Fatima Statue installed in the extension hall

Main Altar of Our Lady of Dolours Church, Dahanu

Do leave your comments…

Some amazing pictures of Protestant Churches on flickr

2012-03-07T01:05:00.001-08:00

Found some amazing pictures of Protestant Churches built during the British Raj in India www.flickr.com by DBHKer. Use the links below to view the galleries.

Churches of British India: 1

Churches of British India: 2

Churches of British India: 3

Churches of British India: 4

Please do leave your comments if you enjoyed the post.

Church of The Holy Redeemer (CNI), Dadar (E), Mumbai

2012-02-26T00:34:00.001-08:00

Church of The Holy Redeemer (CNI), Dadar (E), Mumbai established in 1925 to cater to Marathi speaking Anglican congregation.

Entrance gate to the Church (behind Chitra Cinema, Dadar (E))

Main entrance of the Church (on the first floor is the Presbyter’s house)

A plaque at the side of the entrance

Above the Front Entrance

View from the front door – The Pews and then the Altar - 1

View from the front door – The Pews and then the Altar - 2

The Pulpit – it reads ‘जय प्रभु येशु की’ meaning ‘Glory to Lord Jesus’

A Plaque dedicated to the Priests who have served here – Past and Present (Note: the different titles used by the Presbyters over the years 'Reverend', 'Reverend Canon' and 'Reverend Father' – not very common currently in the CNI Churches)

The Altar draped in Lenten color (Note: the traditional setting of the altar, the Priest does not faces the congregation while saying the Eucharistic prayers)

While in many of the Bombay CNI Diocesan Churches the Priests face the congregation while celebrating the Lord’s Supper, but some churches still stick to the old tradition of placing the altar as shown in the picture above.

More Pictures of All Saints Garrison Church (Church of North India), Lucknow, India

2011-12-04T02:35:00.000-08:00

View 1 From the entry gate

View 2 From the entry gate

View of the Front Entrance (rarely used now)

The tablet on the front door of the Church.

It reads “Whosoever thou art that enterest this CHURCH, leave it not without one Prayer to GOD for thyself, for those who minister, and for those who worship here.”

More Pictures of St. Stephens Church, Bandra(W), Mumbai (Church of North India)

2011-11-13T08:12:00.000-08:00

Here are some more pictures of the St. Stephen’s Church on Mount Mary, Mumbai.

Another View of the Altar

Choir Pews on left and Priest's Pulpit on Right

View of the whole church

Stainless Glass windows depicting the Martyrdom of St. Stephen

St. Stephen the Martyr patron of this church

Views of the Church Cemetery

View of the Church form the Cemetery

Church from the front side

Grave of Alice (Queenie) Captain - The Grand Old Lady of St. Stephens

All Saints Garrison Church (CNI), Lucknow

2011-10-10T12:48:00.000-07:00

Holy Altar

Choir Pews & Presbyter's chair on Left

(the wooden lectern with white Cross is a very recent addition, it is now used instead of the pulpit)

Another view of the choir pews with the Lectern and chair (on right) used by the lay leader

Solid wooden pews (typical to old Anglican churches) with one of the side entrance

The other side entrance

Main entrance (its hardly used now) with a balcony over it

The church ceiling

Side view

Another side view

Side Corridor with vestry (not visible here) at the left end

Cottages in the church compound

Reverend Daniel Subhan, Presbyter (CNI - Diocese of Lucknow)

A sincere worker in the vineyard of the Lord

St. Stephen's Church, Bandra (W), Mumbai, India

2011-08-15T12:57:00.000-07:00

St. Stephen's Church belongs to Church of North India – Diocese of Mumbai. Rev. K.I.Dyvasirvadam is the current Presbyter-in-charge. It’s a small beautiful church on the famous Mt. Mary Hill of Bandra, Mumbai.

Board on the Church wall

View from the entrance gate

Garden around the Church

More of the Church Garden

The Parish Hall

The Parsonage with church Office on extreme left

The Church Office with a beautiful green patch outside

The Open space on the left of the main Church used for larger gatherings for big feast days and for car parking on regular Sundays

The Church Altar - Sanctum Sanctorum

More pictures on the Church building, the Church Cemetery to follow.

What's this blog about

2011-08-15T11:56:00.000-07:00

I’ll be posting pictures of Churches from different places across India.