Walls with a whiff of history

Walls with a whiff of history


St Mary’s Basilica in Shivajinagar is the oldest church in the city, built in 1685.
Express Features First Published : 04 Jul 2009 10:55:57 AM ISTLast Updated : 04 Jul 2009 10:56:50 AM IST
BANGALORE: The face of Bangalore has changed in quite an astonishing speed as the city races to keep pace with, or even overtake, the times. There are only a few pockets and landmarks which are still identifiable with its original map.
Many of the old churches still stand tall in all their glory, and one can hear whispers from the pages of history in them.
St Mary’s Basilica
This is the oldest church in the city, which dates back to the 17th century. Located in Shivajinagar, it was built in 1685.
It used to be a small chapel, which was rebuilt on by Abbe Dubois, who came to Bangalore after Tipu Sultan was defeated at Srirangapatna. As it stands today, it was built between 1875 and 1882 at a total cost of Rs 30,000. It was inaugurated as a minor basilica in 1974. A glorious example of Gothic architecture, it is replete with arches and stained glass windows.
Lakhs of followers throng the basilica in the second week of September to celebrate St Mary’s Feast Day.
East Parade Church
East Parade Church on MG Road, has associations with the military garrison, which shifted here from Srirangapatna.
This Church’s origin goes back to 1819 where the worship was being conducted in the small Methodist School. The foundation of the church was laid in 1863 and the building contract was given to Mayor RH Sankey. The church was completed in February 1886.
Holy Trinity Church
A landmark on Trinity Circle, it was built in 1848 to reduce the pressure on East Parade Church. Besides serving the large number of parishioners at East Parade, it also served the garrison.
Designed by Major Pears, it is made in the English Renaissance style. The foundation stone was laid on February 16, 1848, and was opened to public on July 25, 1852. It is considered to be the largest “military” or garrison church in southern India that can accommodate 700 persons.
St Mark’s Cathedral
St. Mark’s Cathedral originally raised in 1808 and enlarged in 1901 is situated on MG Road opposite to Queens Victoria statue. A notice in a glass case at the back of the church says that it was one of the unattractive buildings ever erected! In 1923 it was seriously damaged by fire and whilst being almost completely restored the Nave collapsed in 1924. The church was opened again for divine service on August 7, 1927 and in 1947 it was consecrated as St. Mark’s Cathedral. Some of the memorial tablets and plaques date back to 1843.
St Patrick’s Church
The second oldest Catholic Church (after St Mary’s) is the 150-year-old St.
Patrick’s Church on Brigade Road, which was originally built for Irish soldiers by Father Gailhot and Father Chevalier, military chaplains back then. The foundation was laid in July 1841 and the building was completed in 1844. In 1887, Pope Leo XIII, the Catholic Hierarchy for southern India was proclaimed in this church. The church was given a complete overhaul in 1894- 98 at a cost of Rs 1.5 lakh. Lady Bowring’s tomb is in the church.
St Andrew’s Church
St. Andrew’s Church is on Cubbon Road. The foundation stone was laid on November 22, 1864 and was completed in November 1866, on an overall expenditure of about Rs 45,000 including the land. Consecrated in 1867, this church, which was built for the Scottish soldiers, has tablets in memory of many Scots.