For generations the maharajahs of India practiced secularism and never failed to show their catholicity and respect for other faiths. The maharajahs of Mysore were more generous in this regard and their munificence is really praise-worthy. In the later part of 1700s the Maratha ruler of Thanjavur (now in Tamil Nadu) Maharajah Serfoji helped Fr. Friedrich Schwartz, an Angelo-Saxon preacher build a church there. Fr. S
chwartz happened to be his mentor and tutor in foreign languages. Later Fr. Schwartz had built churches and many educational institutions in that region. that survive even today.
The architecturally impressive St.
Philomena's church, an important land mark and a tourist destination in the palace city of Mysore, was built in 1936 by the Maharajah
of Mysore under the supervision of Bishop Rene Feuga. Blended with local as
well as European architecture, the unusual feature of this church is some of the female statues are dressed in
saris, thus giving importance to traditional dress worn by the natives. The simple but crisp design with deep stone recesses enhances the grandeur and look of the façade of the church that has a pair of sky- caressing, imposing spires that taper toward the top. The high vaulted interior with stained glass windows at selected places in the massive building will leave the visitors breathless and dumbfounded. Considered as the most regal place of worship in India when the cathedral is illuminated on festive occasions, it will be an amazing sight that can not be missed.
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| Location map of Mysore. mysore.nic.in |
St.
Philomena's church construction work began in October, 1933
using a Neo-Gothic style and its architecture was on
the model of
the Cologne Cathedral in Germany. The church was designed by Daly, a
French man. Philomena, a Latin Catholic saint as well as a martyr of the Roman
Catholic Church, was a young Greek princess who was martyred in the
4th century. The remains were discovered on May 24, 1802 in the
Catacombs of Saint Priscilla at the Via Salaria in Rome. There were
several fragmented inscriptions containing the words LUMENA PAXTE
CUMFI. From these discoveries, it was concluded that a Christian
named Philomena
was buried in the tomb.
The church was built at the same location in 1843 by the then Maharajah Mummadi Krishnaraja
Wodeyar. In 1926, Thamboo Chetty, who was secretary to the Maharajah
of Mysore, Nalvadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar obtained a relic of the saint
from Peter Pisani, Apostolic Delegate of the East Indies. The relic
was handed over to Father Cochet who requested
the
Maharajah
to assist him in constructing a church in honor
of St. Philomena. The Maharajah of Mysore immediately obliged and laid the foundation stone on
October 28, 1933. The relic of Saint Philomena is preserved in a
cavern below the main altar. This
church is very much revered not only by Christians but also by the
Hindus. During the colonial period there was a growing community of Europeans in Bangalore and Mysore. The church was built to fulfil the spiritual needs of the Europeans living in and around Mysore.
The
floor plan resembles a cross. The long part of the cross is
congregation hall known as the nave. Transepts are the two arms of
the cross. The crossing is the part containing the altar and the
choir. The cathedral has a cellar that houses a statue of St.
Philomena. The twin spires of the church resemble the spires of the
Cologne Cathedral and St. Patrick`s Church in New York. The main hall
contains stained glass windows, depicting scenes from the birth of
Christ, the Last Supper, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection and the
Ascension of Christ.
The
Church attracts lots of people not only from Karnataka but also from
other parts of India.
Above image: St. Philomena Cathedral, Mysore, Karnataka state, India. front appearance along with the statue of St. Philomena's statue......................................
An interesting, but an uncommon feature is both the height of the church (spires) and the length of the church are the same 175 feet. The other attractions are the marble altar and the statue of St. Philomena, and an old description of the church. It is a surprising fact that a priceless French statue of a celebrated Greek saint in a German cathedral is located in the heart of southern India. Philomena church is truly an abode of God and of faith where man be at peace with himself.
Ref:
, Mysore and secular Mysore Maharajah.){kind=link}