St. John's Church, Anglican church in Kolkata, India
St. John's Church is an Anglican place of worship in Kolkata with neoclassical design, marked by a 174-foot spire topped with a clock. Columns surround the structure and stained glass windows fill the interior with colored light.
The foundation stone was laid in 1784 by Warren Hastings, using stones from medieval Gour ruins transported along the river. This place of worship took shape during Kolkata's early years as a colonial settlement.
The church displays a Last Supper painting where local community members posed as the biblical figures. This artwork blends European religious tradition with Bengali identity in an unexpected way.
Visitors can reach the church through the BBD Bagh area with regular Sunday services. Major Christian holidays bring special gatherings with additional ceremonies.
The church grounds hold the tomb of Job Charnock, credited as Kolkata's founder. A relocated monument to the Black Hole stands here, a reminder of a tragic colonial incident.
Location: Ward No. 45, Kolkata Municipal Corporation
Inception: 1784
Architectural style: Neoclassical architecture
Address: 2/2, Council House St, opp. Dewars Garage, Lal Dighi, B.B.D. Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001, India
Opening Hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00-16:00
Phone: +917278131157
Website: https://stjohnschurchcnikolkata.org
GPS coordinates: 22.56990,88.34595
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:02
British rule in India from 1800 to 1947 left a distinct architectural legacy across major Indian cities. European styles including Victorian Gothic, Neoclassical and Renaissance merged with Indian decorative motifs and craftsmanship. The result was the Indo-Saracenic style, a hybrid form that expressed colonial power while incorporating local building traditions. Mumbai presents this architecture through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus, the Rajabai Clock Tower and the Gateway of India. Kolkata displays it in the Victoria Memorial and Writers' Building, while Delhi offers Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Maidens Hotel. Chennai shows the Madras High Court and Government Museum, Hyderabad holds Falaknuma Palace and Shimla houses the Indian Institute of Advanced Study. These structures served as government seats, courthouses, railway stations, hotels and museums, and continue to define the urban landscape of Indian cities today.
Kolkata's past surfaces in religious sites, colonial buildings, and busy markets scattered across the city. The British era left its mark through the white marble Victoria Memorial and administrative structures around BBD Bagh and the Writers Building. Religious spaces range from the Dakshineswar Kali Temple on the Hooghly River to the neo-Gothic St. Paul's Cathedral and historic synagogues like Beth El and Maghen David. The Kumartuli neighborhood is known for artisans who mold clay figures for religious festivals, while New Market offers textiles, spices, and household goods. The Indian Museum holds ancient collections and archaeological finds, and Science City houses a planetarium and science exhibitions.
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