St. Mark's Church, Mercara

St. Mark's Church is a Gothic church building located within Mercara Fort, featuring pointed arches, stained glass windows, and detailed stonework throughout its design. The structure is now maintained as part of the Madikeri Fort Museum and displays artifacts from British, Hindu, and Jain heritage.

The church was built in 1859 with funding from East India Company officers and support from the Government of Madras. It marks the arrival of European religious architecture in this hill region during the period of British colonial expansion.

The church served as a gathering place for the European community in Coorg and reflects the British colonial era when coffee farming expanded across the region.

The church is easy to visit as it is integrated into the Madikeri Fort Museum and open during regular hours. Plan enough time to explore both the church and the surrounding fort museum and its displayed collections.

The church was built on the site of a former disused temple within the fort. This layering shows how European architecture gradually overlaid local religious spaces in this hill region.

Inception: April 29, 1859

Architectural style: Gothic architecture

GPS coordinates: 12.42037,75.73928

Latest update: December 14, 2025 13:02