St Stephens Church Delhi
St. Stephen Church is situated in Delhi in the Church Mission Road, being constructed in 1862, by DPW Engineers and Anglican Missionary with an architectural style which was Italian Gothic. It forms a unit of the Diocese of Church of North India in Delhi. The well known St Stephens College and Hospital is also situated inside the campus of the St. Stephens Church.
According to the belief of local people, there was a holy saint, who was preaching about Christianity and he was beaten to death with stones as a result of which he had blood all over his body. The building of St. Stephen’s Church is red in color, which is related to this historic event.
St Stephen’s Church is open only on Sundays, although it can be opened whenever requested as the caretaker lives nearby.
History
St. Stephen’s Church is under the responsibility of the Society for the Propagation of Gospel. This society was later on included under the Cambridge Mission, which was the founder of the St. Stephen’s College of present day, which is presently under the Delhi University. The red color of the Church is considered also to be symbolic of the first Christian Martyr and the saint who was the patron, St. Stephen as well as depicts the blood of those martyrs of Christianity, who died during the revolt of 1857.
Architecture
The construction of the church is in the architectural style of the Gothic era, with various influences of architecture of the Roman era. The church has ceilings and ornately designed walls as well as the window in form of rose and made of stained glass, which is found only in this church in Delhi. The church is in the Baroque style, with windows which are arched, allowing brightness of the sunlight to pass into the interiors. There are plenty of motifs, carvings, pictures and furniture which is quite beautiful. There are plasters in fine series, which are found on either side, where sandstone columns are lining. Carvings which are quite beautiful adorn these columns. Sandstones are also carved to make the pilasters. St. Stephen’s Church also has a bell tower as its another feature. Intricate designs have been done over the motifs, with marvelous carvings. Furniture in old style are quite charming, giving a 19th century look to this Church in Delhi.
Photo Gallery
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