St. John’s Church, Kolkata; one of the architectural excellences of the city of palaces
Architecture and cultural heritage is being retained in a number of cities all around the globe. Palatial extravagances are all about multiple facets of human existence. Building monuments and colossal structures have always been related to religious practices, belief and the religion system of the dispensation of the place through ages. Hence, the St John’s Church in Kolkata is a marvellous creation of the British Empire and was constructed by the East India Company in the year 1787. Christianity being the dominant religion in Kolkata during the British rule, the church was constructed with utmost care and intricacy.
Kolkata is known as the second city built by the British empire and hence , after Kolkata came to be known as the effective capital of the British India in the year 1911 , this church was constructed in the city . This is a visible symbol of the dominating religion and also conveys that the dispensation tried to preach and uphold their own social practices, morals, principle, customs, values and beliefs among the hoi polloi through building the St John’s Church and many other architectural master pieces to leave the essence of their rein over the place.
The place formerly being a cathedral is a perfect combination of the heart and the mind and finds a perfect balance of transparency and courtesy. Sheer perfection of architectural science made this construction everlasting under the firmament of monuments built in the city till date. The intricately woven design, pattern, shapes communicate a signal of the excellence of the then architects. The location of the St John’s Church in Kolkata acts like the ‘beacon on cheese ‘for the particular place. Eventually it gained monumental popularity in the city and reached the zenith position of repute.
St John’s Church is the third oldest church in Kolkata and being well maintains till date. Retaining the glory and the lustre of the place is really challenging for the contemporary architects. From historical facts it is excavated that the land for building the church was donated by Maharaja Nabo Kishen Bahadur who is also the founder of the Sovabazar Raj family. Expenses reached up to approx 30,000 rose by a public lottery. The crux of the building material was brick and stone and hence came to be known as the ‘pasture Girja’ the stone church in the locality among the hoi polloi.
When we unravel the history of building the St John’s Church we come to know that how the ruins of Gaur were robbed to import the building blocks of the palace through the Hooghly river port. On further exploration we elicit that the square church was built in a neoclassical architectural style. A single view of the interior makes us awestruck and a moment of elation is created. Framing the church by tall columns on all sides is the technique to make it unique and royal as well .this is a place of tourist interest not only in the country but in abroad as well.
This magnificent structure has sunlight entering through coloured glass and the floor made of very rare blue-grey marbles brought from Gaur. Some uniquely lovable , commendable , and salient features of the church are the painting of the last supper , a distinctively standing stone spire and the clock which is hold up by the spire and is wound every day . Much of the history of the British rule can be explored through the walls of the church, the memorial tablets, statues, plaques mostly of the British army officers and the civil servants. The place is a rare master piece and the architecture is incomparable.