{"id":18245,"date":"2013-05-21T10:28:34","date_gmt":"2013-05-21T10:28:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bharatestates.com\/blog\/?p=18245"},"modified":"2020-06-15T04:08:23","modified_gmt":"2020-06-14T22:38:23","slug":"st-pauls-cathedral-in-kolkata-an-example-of-superb-architecture-and-exquisite-interiors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bharatestates.com\/blog\/st-pauls-cathedral-in-kolkata-an-example-of-superb-architecture-and-exquisite-interiors\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Paul’s Cathedral in Kolkata: An Example of Superb Architecture and Exquisite Interiors"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"St.-Paul's-Cathedral-in-Kolkata\"Among the various Christian religious places in Kolkata St. Paul’s Cathedral is one of the most significant places. It is an Anglican cathedral of North India. You can also call it a united church of Anglican community in Kolkata in the state of West Bengal. Being the first Episcopal Cathedral Church of Oriental India St. Paul’s church was built in the year 1847 at a cost of Rs. Five lacs. Under the support and supervision of Bishop Wilson this church took shape in an Indo-Gothic architectural style. Though the foundation was laid in the year 1839 but it took eight years to complete the construction of church. The blue prints of the structure were made by the Bengal Engineer’s association’s Major Forbes. The two architects who designed this splendid cathedral are Major William Nairn Forbes and C. K. Robinson. This church is dedicated to St. Paul. The church is located at the southern end of Maidan close to several notable places of Kolkata like Victoria Memorial, Nandan, Rabindra Sadan theatre complex, Birla Planetarium, etc. Massive earthquakes damaged the structure badly twice. After first damge of tower it was restored but again in 1934 it was badly damaged. The tower was again built resembling the Bell Harry Tower of Canterbury Cathedral after 1934. The impressive church’s interiors are equally impressive with coloured stained glass windows and two frescos in the style of Florentine Renaissance. The central hall is huge housing intricately carved wooden pews and chairs. From the west stained glass windows natural light reflects the beauty of the interiors. The eastern walls of the cathedral are decorated with coloured artwork. The measurements of the church are as follows \u2013 the length is 247 feet, the width is 81 feet while the height of tower is 201 feet. The structure is surrounded by green ancient trees on the ground. The walls of church houses colourful paintings depicting the life and life events of St. Paul. The remains of Bishop Wilson are resting in a coffin in an underground chamber of the church. The architecture of the structure binds you with the Anglican style and seems worth spending time. the entire atmosphere of the church is quite serene and spiritual. You can explore here various memorials preserved well. One of which created by Sir Edward Burne-Jones in the memory of Lord Mayo in the year 1880. He was killed in Andaman Islands.If you want to meditate here you can do so as there is a meditation point on the ground created with the help of Citizens of Tagore’s Shantiniketan. The cathedral of St. Paul has faced harsh weather and natural calamities but still standing tall to tell the story.Timings of the church<\/strong>From 9.00 am to noon & From 3.00 pm to 6.00 pm every day except on Sundays it is opened at 7.30 a.m.Close by attractions<\/strong><\/p>\n