St. Paul's Cathedral, Anglican cathedral in Kolkata, India.
St. Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican episcopal church in Gothic Revival style with tall pointed spires and colorful glass windows in Kolkata, India. The building shows white-plastered outer walls, a central square tower with four smaller corner towers, and a three-aisle interior with wooden pews.
Bishop Daniel Wilson laid the foundation stone in 1839 for this first episcopal church on the Asian continent, which was finished eight years later. Earthquakes damaged the building several times during the 19th and 20th centuries, leading to various repairs and reinforcements of the structure.
The cathedral carries the name of the Apostle Paul, following the tradition of Anglican mother churches across former British colonial cities. Sunday services take place in English, drawing a congregation of local worshippers and international visitors.
The cathedral stands on Cathedral Road in the southern city center and opens daily during morning and afternoon hours. Visitors can freely enter the main hall and cloister but should exercise restraint during services.
A small library in the side wing preserves around 800 old books and manuscripts that the founding bishop once donated to the church. This room often goes unnoticed even though it offers glimpses into the theological world of the 19th century.
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