There are many majestic churches in Kolkata, mostly built during the colonial time to serve the European community settled there and one among them is St. James' Church, Also locally known as Jora Girja, it was built in 1862. It is a land mark structure in this part of the city with its impressive and elegant twin spires that dominate the skyline. What is special about this church is it is one of the largest in the city and stands as a fine example of gothic style, an architectural expression much prevalent and followed in the early 19th Century by the English churches.
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| St. James' Church in Entally, Kolkata wiki |
An old church with the same name was in Nebutolla Lane, near Amherst Street., built on the model and plan of St. Thomas’ Church, Free School Street, was consecrated by Bishop Reginald Heber on 12 November 1829. Incidentally Bishop Reginald Heber (21 April 1783 – 3 April 1826) unfortunately died in April 1826 on a visit to Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu subsequently he was buried there at St John's church in that city.
On 23 August 1859 the old church's roof caved in due to severe termite act on the wooden beams, etc., and prior to that the church had been in a state of disrepair. As the damage was beyond repair and conservation, the current church St James came up for divine worship in a safe and spacious building in a better locality that could be easily accessed without hardship.. A school was also built close to the church.
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| St. James' Church Kolkata alamy.com |
The new church was constructed in a site - garden house owned by one Mr. Coates. An additional land was also acquired to build a Chaplain. Honorable John Peter Grant, acting Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal laid the foundation stone of the new Church on 7 June 1862,
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| St. James' Church Kolkata noisebreak.com |
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| St. James' Church in Kolkata noisebreak.com |
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| St. James' Church in Kolkata noisebreak.com |
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| St. James' Church in Kolkata facebook.com |
The church is built in a cruciform in Gothic style with elements of Norman details and twin towers, much common in those days in conservative England. For extra safety to the large outer walls of the Church, well-proportioned buttresses were built. The spacious Porch with two pointed arches on the eastern and western sides are at the west end. Above the porch lies an ornamental gable surmounted by a Cross and flanked on both sides with double-tier turret towers. Lofty spires surmounted with large metal Crosses rise above the towers. On the upper portion of the lower Southern tower there is a double – dialed clock facing west and south.
The church was restored and repaired in 2010 and Rededication and Thanksgiving service of St. James’ Church was held on Sunday 11 December 2011. A marble tablet placed on the eastern wall of the south transept reads –
''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.''
Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._James%27_Church,_Kolkata
https://stjameschurch-kolkata.org.in/
https://noisebreak.com/churches-synagogues-colonial-calcutta-st-james-church/
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