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The Times of India (TOI)
December 26, 2012 Wednesday
A visit to city's forgotten churches
KOLKATA
KOLKATA: A group of around 40 Kolkatans went around the city's
heritage churches on Christmas morning. They travelled about 10km on a
chilly Tuesday, stopping at the heritage destinations and making a
quick tour of the places where Christmas would be celebrated even more
than a century back. Conducted jointly by NGOs Spark and Footsteps
Photowalks, the walk explored some of the oldest churches, steeped in
tradition and history.
The first destination for the walkers was the Portuguese Church. Built
in 1799, the Catholic church with two giant towers remained crowded on
Christmas morning. The Armenian Church at Burrabazar was the next
destination followed by The Magen David Synagogue.
Built in 1764 and designed in the early 18th century, the Armenian
Church is the oldest extant church in Kolkata. The interiors are
decorated with marble, and the overhead gallery contains mural
tablets. The altar has a cross, the gospels and 12 candlesticks
symbolizing Christ and his Apostles. There is a staircase leading to
an overhead gallery with walls full of mural tablets. Three oil
paintings, including one of the Last Supper, share space with the
murals.
"Heritage walks keep happening in Kolkata but this one was special
since it took the walkers to the old churches. While we celebrate
Christmas, few spare a thought for these buildings tucked away in some
forgotten corners of the city. Some are in poor shape. They are as
much a part of the city's heritage as the roads and other prominent
buildings. There couldn't have been a better way to observe
Christmas," said Monica Khosla Bhargava, president of Spark.
Walkers also visited the St Andrew's Church and St John's Church. They
explored the church and the premises which has Job Charnock's grave.
Perhaps the richest in history and heritage, St John's had the walkers
marvelling at the architecture. Built on land donated by Maharaja Nabo
Kishen Bahadur, founder of the Shovabazar Raj family, Warren Hastings
had laid its foundation stone in 1784. Two marble plaques at the
entrance of St John's Church mark the two historic events.
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.
"It was an exhilarating experience. I had no idea that the city had so
much architectural treasure hidden in its backyards. I wish I had
explored the churches earlier," said V Kumar, who joined the walk.
December 26, 2012 Wednesday
A visit to city's forgotten churches
KOLKATA
KOLKATA: A group of around 40 Kolkatans went around the city's
heritage churches on Christmas morning. They travelled about 10km on a
chilly Tuesday, stopping at the heritage destinations and making a
quick tour of the places where Christmas would be celebrated even more
than a century back. Conducted jointly by NGOs Spark and Footsteps
Photowalks, the walk explored some of the oldest churches, steeped in
tradition and history.
The first destination for the walkers was the Portuguese Church. Built
in 1799, the Catholic church with two giant towers remained crowded on
Christmas morning. The Armenian Church at Burrabazar was the next
destination followed by The Magen David Synagogue.
Built in 1764 and designed in the early 18th century, the Armenian
Church is the oldest extant church in Kolkata. The interiors are
decorated with marble, and the overhead gallery contains mural
tablets. The altar has a cross, the gospels and 12 candlesticks
symbolizing Christ and his Apostles. There is a staircase leading to
an overhead gallery with walls full of mural tablets. Three oil
paintings, including one of the Last Supper, share space with the
murals.
"Heritage walks keep happening in Kolkata but this one was special
since it took the walkers to the old churches. While we celebrate
Christmas, few spare a thought for these buildings tucked away in some
forgotten corners of the city. Some are in poor shape. They are as
much a part of the city's heritage as the roads and other prominent
buildings. There couldn't have been a better way to observe
Christmas," said Monica Khosla Bhargava, president of Spark.
Walkers also visited the St Andrew's Church and St John's Church. They
explored the church and the premises which has Job Charnock's grave.
Perhaps the richest in history and heritage, St John's had the walkers
marvelling at the architecture. Built on land donated by Maharaja Nabo
Kishen Bahadur, founder of the Shovabazar Raj family, Warren Hastings
had laid its foundation stone in 1784. Two marble plaques at the
entrance of St John's Church mark the two historic events.
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.
"It was an exhilarating experience. I had no idea that the city had so
much architectural treasure hidden in its backyards. I wish I had
explored the churches earlier," said V Kumar, who joined the walk.