St John's Church, Kolkata, West Bengal

St John’s Church is the third oldest church in the city of Kolkata, only after the Armenian and the Old Mission Church. It was built on the land gifted by Raja Nabokrishna Deb, a local zamindar who was persuaded by Warren Hastings. This heritage structure whose construction started in 1784 was completed in 1787 and was designed by James Agg in accordance with the St Martin’s Church in London. The foundation plaques record these events famously known by the locals as ‘Pathure Girja’ meaning a stone built church. The stones were shipped down the Hooghly River from the medieval ruins of Gour.

The building is structured with tall pillars on all sides with a tall spire in the middle. It is entered through a state portico. The interior is well decorated with wooden carvings and coloured stained glass. A large painting of ‘The Last Supper’ by John Zoffany adorned the wall on one side of the altar. Memorial tablets, plaques and statues belonging to British officers and civil servants can be seen on the walls of the church.

St John’s Church is located on the North – West corner of the Raj Bhavan or the Governor House. This Aglican Cathedral was built on a burial ground which housed the grave of Job Charnork, the founder of the city of Calcutta and of his family members and many other prominent personalities. The Black Hole monument and Lady Canning’s Memorial are some of the other important historical structures inside the compound of the church.

Timings

Kolkata St John's Church open at 08:00 AM to 05:00 PM

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