Saturday, May 30, 2009

Old Churches – The architectural marvels of Bangalore.

Bangalore is home to a number of historic and extremely impressive cathedrals, basilicas, chapels and churches which are important architectural symbols and landmarks of the city. These churches belong to diverse Christian communities, such as the Roman Catholic Church, the ancient Syrian Church of Kerala and its reformed counterpart, the Mar Thoma Church, Protestants from the Church of South India (which includes Anglicans, Lutherans and other older denominations) and newer evangelical groups with links to the United States. I visited a few of the old churches around central Bangalore with my friend Jonathan. Thanks to my Sony Camera and Picassa for the lovely pictures. (Click on the pictures to view full sized images.)


1. All Saints Church, Brigade Road, Bangalore
The foundation stone for the structure was laid 27th November, 1869 and the church was consecrated 17th October, 1870.

2. East Parade Church, M G Road, Bangalore
This CSI church was completed in February 1886.


3. Hudson Memorial Church, Hudson Circle, Bangalore
Hudson Memorial Church was built in memory of Rev. Josiah Hudson. This stone building was built in 1904 in a mixture of Gothic and classic styles.


4. Infant Jesus Shrine, Viveknagar, Bangalore
Infant Jesus Church at Vivek Nagar is one of the biggest churches in Karnataka and a popular pilgrimage centre. The foundation was laid in April 1970 by Rev.Dr.Lourduswamy, the then Archbishop of Bangalore and the church was completed in the year 1979.


5. Sacred Heart Church, Ashok Nagar, Bangalore
This church built in 1867, is a rare combination of Gothic and French style of architecture consisting of solid granite rock-blocks, marble interiors, beautifully sculptured statutes and pillars decorated with Corinthian style carvings. The church features typical Roman style side altars, two parallel column towers and a mighty bell from Italy.


6. St Andrew's Church, Cubbon Road, Bangalore

St. Andrew's Kirk, is a Scottish church built in the 1860s and features a particularly grand pipe organ, together with detailed stained-glass windows depicting scenes from the bible.


7. St Francis Xavier Cathedral, St John Road, Bangalore
St. Francis Xavier's Cathedral was opened on 26th May 1932. The blue and while domes atop the stone towers really catch the eye.


8. St John’s Church, St John Road, Bangalore
This Anglican Church dating back to 1853 is a beautiful structure with a tall spire that can be seen from a distance.


9. St Joseph's Church, Mysore Road, Bangalore

This church was built in memory of Fr Briand in 1867 It is the only church in Bangalore with a crypt St. Joseph's Church.



10. St Luke's Church, K R Market, Bangalore

This church was built in 1830.

11. St Mark's Cathedral, M G Road, Bangalore
St. Mark's Cathedral dates back as far as 1808 and is known for its beautiful colonial facade, large dome, external bells, elaborate carvings, woodwork and monuments. It was originally built in 1808 and enlarged in 1901.



12. St Mary's Basilica, Shivajinagar, Bangalore
St. Mary's Basilica was originally built as a small chapel in 1818 and was transformed into the present grand Gothic-style church some 60 years later. The stately arches of the church are supported by stained glass windows and multiple columns built in a rich Corinthian style.



13. St Patrick's Church, Brigade Road, Bangalore
The second oldest Catholic Church (after St Mary's) is the 150-year-old St. Patrick's Church. The foundation was laid in July 1841 and the building was completed in 1844. It has a beautiful arched entrance flanked by twin columns. The interior of the church has twelve graceful pillars which symbolise the twelve apostles. The twin spires of the Church are a landmark in the city cantonment.



14. Trinity Church, M G Road, Bangalore
It is built in the English Renaissance style. The foundation stone was laid on February 16, 1848, and the church was opened to public on July 25, 1852.

12 comments:

  1. Thanks .It was beautiful and informative.
    - Cherry

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  2. dude....either you are crazy abt churches or have got loooooot of time to go around bang taking those pics n collecting that info!! cool one...

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  3. @thomas.. u r welcome.. actually i came with this idea wen i had a lot of trouble finding decent pics of the the churches through google images..

    @sahaj.. thanks

    @neeraj.. its both!! btw all dese churches r nt far frm each other.. i didnt go to the far flung ones..

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  4. In my life and in my family members iam the luckiest man visited the holy places Infant Jesus church with my small family my wife son and daughter. It very beautiful church in banglore.Infant Jesus pray for us.

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  5. I had traveled specifically to spend Christmas in Bangalore and had visited the St. Mary's Basilica in Shivajinagar and the St. Patrick's Church in the afternoon of 24 Dec 2009, and subsequently celebrated the night mass at latter.

    This is a fabulous post, and your photographs are superb.

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  6. Thanks Danny! Ive visited most of em from the time im a kid but never occurred to me to take some great Pictures. Youve done an awesome job. Really loved each pic of the Churches.

    And yes, ignore the people who trying to throw sarcasm. They not worth your precious time which could rather be used for your awesome photographic skills. Looking forward to seeing more. God bless....

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  7. From nw on im gona visit every churches in bangalore... Thankyou....

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  8. It is a beautiful and informative post. Thanks for sharing it, dude!!! I'm new to Bangalore and wanted to visit the churches here. Your post has been really helpful and is a great start. Do keep visiting more and more churches and sharing them with all... God bless you :)

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  9. Very Informative. Helped a lot. Thanks. Keep up the good work!!

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  10. Replies
    1. Yes, as along as you go when they are open to public.

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