Seven restored sites in India were recognized by the UNESCO Heritage Structures of Asia-Pacific region in November 2018 . One among them is Byculla Christ Church of Mumbai, Maharashtra,. It is more than 184 years old established by the British who began developing Bombay (Mumbai) as a major Wester Harbor for the British India operations.
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| Historical Byculla Christ church, Mumbai.mid-day.com/mumbai |
Completed in 1833 this neo-classical church is on Clare Road. However consecration took place later in 1835 This church was built at the initiative of then Governor Elphinstone (1819-27) who wanted to move out the fort to a better location and preferred a Country Home in a serene ambiance. The Parel Byculla are developing very fast and Gov. Elphinstone had to go to fort area to attend the Sunday masses at Thomas cathedral.
This neoclassical structure in South Mumbai, with a tall spire the oldest church in Byculla, was restored in two phases. According to the UNESCO report, the church had suffered from earlier inappropriate repair works that diminished its cultural value — which is, unfortunately, the case with many fine historic buildings in India.
Mere patch up work without understanding the heritage aspect will cause more damages to such structures. Many structures fall into much despair on account of this wrong approach in a hurry to solve the pending issues.
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| Doric columns interior Mumbai Byculla Christ Church miday.com |
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| Mumbai Byculla Christ Church miday.com |
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| Mer56umbai BycullaChrist Churchpinrest.com |
The restoration with careful planning revealed elegant interiors adorned with gilded columns, stained-glass windows, and the lath and plaster ceiling. The church has well-built 12 fluted Corinthian cast-iron columns, stained glass windows in the altar, fine sweeping wooden stairway to the first floor balcony, etc. From the balcony one can have a full view of this historic church during service. Both interior and exterior portions including the church graveyard with many tombstones (that glorify the administrators and wartime heroes) were well repaired and restored with meticulous care. The heritage aspect of the structure was quite intact. The church has a . one of the famous tombstones was that of Sir Robert Grant. The pipe organ here is not in use and needs repair work. Supplied by Grey & Davidson, London for £300. It was renovated by S. Rose & Co. in 1914. It is a Centrally Protected monument.
https://www.navrangindia.in/2018/12/christ-church-byculla-mumbai-brainchild.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christ_Church,_Byculla
https://yappe.in/maharashtra/mumbai/christ-church/677741#google_vignette
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