9 famous historic churches in Kolkata
Kolkata, the “City of Joy”, once the capital of India, is a hub of activity and witnesses cultural diversity. It is hundreds of years old. The churches in Calcutta are from the British era. Under British rule, the former Indian capital was associated with other European cultures such as Greece, Holland, Armenia, Denmark, Portugal, France, etc., as they all touched the city. Some churches you may not know – looking forward to visiting some of the churches in Kolkata? Then comes a list of the top 9 churches in Kolkata that you must visit. So here are the top 9 churches in Kolkata to visit that should be on your first list.
The most amazing churches in Kolkata city:
1. St Paul’s Cathedral, Calcutta:
Known as the “Cathedral of Calcutta”, it is located in the city center. St Paul’s Cathedral is 247 feet long, 81 feet wide and 114 feet in cross section, making it the largest church in Calcutta. The flagpole rises from the ground to a height of 175 feet. St Paul’s Cathedral took eight years to complete and was finally consecrated on October 8, 1847 by Bishop Wilson. Several monuments are preserved in St Paul’s Cathedral Church, Calcutta.
emphasize:
- Church Day: Open all day
- Mass timing: Weekdays – 6:30am, 7:00am; Sundays – 7:30am, 8:30am; 10:30am, 6:30pm
- Place: Cathedral Road, Maidan, Kolkata, West Bengal 700071
- how can I get there: The location is easily accessible by subway, bus or taxi
- Celebrations: St Paul’s Cathedral celebrates Christmas with fun and happiness.The entire grounds of the church are beautifully decorated over the Christmas period for a real visual treat
- Other attractions near the church: The cathedral stands in front of the famous Victoria Memorial, and two other nearby landmarks are the Birla Planetarium and the Racket Club.
2. St John’s Church, Calcutta:
It is the third oldest church in the list of churches in Calcutta and an important heritage. An original Bengali parish church, it became Calcutta’s main cathedral in 1815, and remained so until the consecration of St. Paul’s Cathedral in 1847. The church is a rich treasure trove of ancient memories and historical monuments related to the history of Kolkata. Warren Hastings and pastor William Johnson in the 1770s were the main movers of the church. St. John’s Church houses Mrs. Canning’s tomb. This is one of the famous churches in Kolkata.
emphasize:
- Church Day: Open all day
- Mass timing: Every Sunday from 8am to 9am
- Place: 2/2, Council House Street, Opp Dewars Garage, Lal Dighi, BBD Bagh, Kolkata, West Bengal 70000
- how can I get there: About 4 km from Kolkata city centre, easily accessible by bus or taxi from the local government
- Celebrations: Commemorative Sunday, National Day of Prayer and Teachers’ Day Celebrations
- Other attractions near the church: Raj Bhavan is the nearest famous attraction.
3. Christ the King Church, Park Circus:
Next, in the best church in Kolkata is Christ the King. Also known as Park Street Church Calcutta. In terms of architectural splendor, one of the best churches in Kolkata is located near the busy Park Circus. It is the largest church in Kolkata with a majestic setting and can accommodate hundreds of people. While the exterior of the church is striking, the interior is equally inspiring.
emphasize:
- Church Day: Open all day
- Mass timing: Sunday: 6.30am, 8.00am, 9.15am, 10.45am, 5.00pm, 6.30pm; Weekdays: 6.15am, 6.30pm
- Place: 5, Syed Amir Ali Ave, Park Circus, Park Street area, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017
- how can I get there: Bus Stop – Park Circus Tram Depot Close to Church
- Celebrations: There’s a big Christmas celebration here. They have Christmas Mass at midnight and throughout the day.
- Other attractions near the church: Howrah Bridge, Quest Mall
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4. St. James Church, Calcutta:
Elegantly located on AJC Bose Road, St James’ Church is one of the most famous churches in the city, with double spires dominating the Kolkata skyline. St. James was built in 1862 to replace an old church on Nebutolla Lane. On November 12, 1829, Bishop Reginald Heber consecrated the ancient church. The architectural style used is early English Gothic with traces of Norman detailing. It is one of the most famous churches in Kolkata.
emphasize:
- Church Day: Open all day
- Mass timing: Sunday: 7:00am – 8:00am, 8:30am – 9:30am, all days of the week except Sunday – 6:30am – 7:30am
- largePlace: 167, AJC Bose Road, Kolkata, West Bengal 700072
- how can I get there: It is located on AJC Bose Road and is well connected by all local transport
- Celebrations: Happy Christmas here
- Other attractions near the church: Mother House, Sri Aurobindo Bhawan, South Park Street Cemetery, Lower Circular Road Cemetery.
5. St Thomas Church, Calcutta:
St Thomas Church Calcutta is a Roman Catholic Church. The structure is a classic colonial building where you can also see the Gothic towers. Located in the Middleton Street Park area, the church was where Mother Teresa’s body was kept about a week before her funeral in 1997. The beautiful altar window is the highlight of this Calcutta church, the most famous here.
emphasize:
- Church Day: Open all day
- Mass timing: Sunday: 8:30 am -10:00 am
- Place: 7, Sir William Jones Sarani, Park Street area, Kolkata, West Bengal 700016
- how can I get there: Easily accessible by train, bus or taxi
- Celebrations: A catholic church that offers a wonderful Christmas experience, especially with carols
- Other attractions near the church: Indian Museum, Saba Sangrahashala.
6. Armenian Church of St. Nazareth, Armenian Street:
Built in 1724, it is the oldest church in Kolkata and attracts a large number of tourists to the destination. The Armenian church has undergone many design changes, adding many additions and extensions to this church. The church is surrounded by a cemetery and you can also see the oldest tomb, dated June 11, 1630. You can take the stairs to collect good old paintings.
emphasize:
- Church Day: Open all day
- Mass timing: Sunday: 7am
- Place: 2, Armenian St, Bortola, Barabazar Market, Kolkata, West Bengal 700001
- how can I get there: Use local transport to get here.
- Celebrations: The big Christmas celebrations are here
- Other attractions near the church: Millennium Park, Garden of Eden, Howrah Bridge.
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7. St Andrews Church, Calcutta:
St Andrew’s Church, the first Scottish church in Kolkata, is one of the top attractions worth visiting. This is the first and only Scottish church in this part of the country that you can see in Calcutta. The tall and massive spire of this beautiful church makes it one of the most striking buildings in the city. The church was first introduced to the public in 1818 and has since been among the most visited churches in Kolkata.
emphasize:
- Church Day: Open all day
- Mass timing: Sunday: 9.30 am, other days from 10 am to 2 pm
- Place: 15 BBD Bagh North, Kolkata – 700 001
- how can I get there: The station is located in BBD Bagh and is connected to all local transport
- Celebrations: St. Andrews Feast held every year at the end of November
- Other attractions near the church: St. John’s Church, Tour De Sundarbans.
8. Calcutta General Assembly of the Church of God:
Founded in 1954, Assemblies of God Church was established by two Canadian missionary couples, Mark and Huldah Buntain. Moved by poor urban children and the state of the people of Calcutta after independence, Pastor Buntain found this church, which also happens to be a school and a charity. Built on the corner of Park Street, the architecture is simple but noteworthy for the missionary initiative.
emphasize:
- Church Day: Open all day
- Mass timing: Every Sunday: 8am, 9.30am, 11.30am, 6pm
- Place: 125, Park St, Mullick Bazar, Park Street area, Kolkata, West Bengal 700017
- how can I get there: Accessible by all modes of public transport
- Celebrations organized by the church: big christmas celebration
- Other attractions near the church: Victoria Memorial, Seventh-day Adventist Church.
9. Church of the Holy Rosary in Balabazar:
Often referred to as the Portuguese Church, this magnificent cathedral was built in 1797 by Portuguese merchants who settled in Calcutta. The cathedral has a beautifully decorated pediment flanked by two domed towers and a vaulted entry portico. The interior includes beautiful sculptures, including 14 Cross Stations. Behind the altar there are Madonna and child figures. The remains of the first Archbishop of Calcutta are under the altar. This is one of the oldest churches in Kolkata.
emphasize:
- Church Day: Open all day
- Mass timing: Monday to Friday: 7:15am, 8am, 12:10pm; 5:10pm, Saturday: 7:15am, 8am, 12:10pm; Sunday: 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am, 12:30pm, 5:00pm, 6:30pm, 8:00pm
- Place: 13,15, Brabourne Road, Pageya Patti Street, Portugal Church Street, Balabazar, Kolkata, West Bengal 700007
- how can I get there: Frequent bus facilities reach here
- Celebrations: The Rosary of the Holy Rosary is held annually on October 7th
- Other attractions near the church: Maghen David Synagogue, Armenian Nazarene Church
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Calcutta churches showcase well-preserved historical and cultural values. The beautiful architecture and interesting history of the structure is something every visitor will love. So the next time you’re looking for a popular Kolkata tour package, make sure the package includes a visit to one of these churches. Also, if you have visited any other churches in Kolkata, please leave a comment below that you would like to recommend.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers:
Q1. What’s the best way to travel in Kolkata?
answer: The public transport system in Kolkata is very efficient, so this is not a problem at all. Public buses run throughout the city and are even air-conditioned (government and privately owned). The city has a subway. They also have automatic rickshaw shuttles (tuk-tuks) and taxis that run on select popular routes throughout the day. You can pay as low as 5-20 rupees per trip.
Q2. What is the name of the famous church in Calcutta that organizes social events for the disadvantaged?
answer: Mar Thoma Church in Kolkata is known for regularly hosting social events for the underprivileged, such as blood camps and other social events.
Q3. When is the best time to visit Kolkata?
answer: Between October and February, the autumn and winter months are the best times to visit Kolkata as the weather is excellent and there are plenty of festivities. This is the season to witness the peak of travelers, especially during Durga Puja. Calcutta has mild winters and hot and humid summers, making it an eastern tropical climate. Summer is the least popular option for travelers, and while it’s lovely, monsoons aren’t the best season to visit.