St James Church Kolkata
Among the most graceful churches of Kolkata, St. James' Church is one of them. Built in 1862, the church is visited by followers for prayers from across the country. Located on the Acharya Jagdish Bose Road, the architecture of the Church consists of two sky dominating spires.
The St. James’ Church has the distinction of being the principal church for Protestant Christians of Kolkata. Apart from organizing the usual practices of a church like Bible Reading, Sunday teaching and prayers, the Church also is the aegis for St. James’ School and Pratt Memorial School for boys & girls respectively.
History
The Church that we see today was constructed to substitute another old St. James’ Church located close to Amherst Street. The old Church was constructed on the pattern of St. Thomas’ Church and was sanctified in 1829 by Bishop Reginald Heber. With the passage of time, this Church got into bad shape primarily due to the insects taking a toll on wooden supports. The Church was declared not safe for prayers and repair work was tried on the ramshackle structure. However, during the repair work the ceiling of the church collapsed and the Church was discarded for any future repairs as it was found to be not feasible for the said structure to be repaired. It was decided that by the authorities that a new Church be built under the same name in a more appropriate locality for the devotees. A school was also proposed to be built near the new Church location for the people around it.
Architecture
The administration’s decision to build a new Church and an adjoining school was appreciated by everyone, especially an educationist of that time Archdeacon Pratt. He was very instrumental in getting the land for the Church from the owner through his personal influence. A girl’s school under the Church’s guidance and aegis is named after Mr. Pratt under the name of Pratt Memorial School. A house for the Chaplain’s residence was also processed in the same land acquired for the Church & School. The new location of the Church was on the same road where an Orphan Asylum was developed by the wife of the Reverent T. Thompson.
The new Church was founded by the then Lieutenant Governor of Bengal, J.P. Grant in 1862 by laying a foundation stone on 7th of June. The foundation stone is remembered to this day by a marble stone on the wall on eastern side, which has engraved the following word on it:
The first stone of this Church dedicated to St. James, was laid June 7th, 1862.
Consecrated by Bishop Cotton 25th July, 1864.
The Revd. Dr. Jarbo, Chaplain.
Photo Gallery
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