Garrison Churches
The British built garrison churches in the Cantonments that they established in various parts of India. In 1947 they were handed over along with everything else in the Cantonments. The process was not difficult because an Interim Government had been formed in 1946 itself. Moreover, the Chiefs of the Army, Navy and Air Force continued to be British officers for several years.
I was a small boy in Tambaram, Chennai and there was a chapel inside the IAF airfield. For several years, we attended church services there. Then in the mid 1950s, church services were discontinued and the building was used for other purposes.
Meanwhile, I joined an ex-military school in the Nilgiris. There again, there existed a chapel from British times.
The church at The Lawrence School, Lovedale, Nilgiris.
This school belongs to the Union Government. In the mid-1970s, the school handed over the church to the Church of South India (CSI). The CSI has found it difficult to meet the expenses of running the church but has managed somehow.
The situation is different, especially in parts of India with very few Christians. For eg, the garrison church in Kasauli has been handed over to the Church of North India (CNI) for running. There are very few Christians in Kasauli and they were unable to meet the church expenses. Currently, some concerned citizens of all faiths are taking interest and are contributing their time and money. See IN KASAULI, THE CHURCH CLOCK IS TICKING AGAIN ! https://amolak.in/web/in-kasauli-the-church-clock-is-ticking-again/
The garrison church at Kasauli
St Luke Brigade Church, Jalpahar, Darjeeling Cantonment became an Officers Club. In more recent times, it has been converted back to a church and the devotees, many of them Army personnel, look after it.
The basic point is that these churches are built on government land, initially with government funds, albeit with some private donations. India is a secular country and a review needs to be done as to the utilisation of these buildings and the land on which they stand.
My view is that these churches should be converted to “All Faiths Prayer Halls.” The respective managing committees can allot different time slots to each faith. Organisationally, each Prayer Hall should have a Non-Profit Society to manage affairs. The properties can also be used to run schools, medical clinics, training centres etc. Our Gurudwaras are an excellent model of how they should be run.
Readers are invited to express their views.
SOME MORE GARRISON CHURCHES
Garrison Church is one of the most beautiful churches in Lucknow , but can be called as a deserted one, at the moment. Though you can find a couple of small congregations happening overhere, it is non operational. The Church was built between 1911 and 1913, and the cost of construction was Rs. 90,000. Church has the colours of several Military regiments that have been disbanded over the years and also memorial tablets to soldiers of the past.
Garrison Church, Fort William, Calcutta
St. Paul Church is situated in Ambala cantt. It was built on 4 January 1857 and had a seating capacity for 1500 People. It was a garrison church specially meant for British Army officers and their Families. On 21st September 1965, During the Indo-Pak Conflict, Church was destroyed due to bombing by Pakistan’s Air force. It is the oldest and biggest church in Haryana state.
Panagarh Garrison Church is in Galsi -i-Bardhaman District, West Bengal State in India. Pincode is 713402 ( Arjunpur (Bardhaman)) . Nearby railway stations are Mankar and Panagarh. It is in 16 Km distance to Sonamukhi City.
The Garrison Church, Trimulgherry, Secunderabad is in the vicinity of the Military College of Electronics and Mechanical Engineering (MCEME). The church has continued to attract not only its regular worshipers but also new visitors from the nearby military stations.
The Garrison Church, St Thomas Mount, Chennai was built in 1830. It is named after St. Thomas, one of the twelve apostles who resided at the place during his final years. St. Thomas Garrison Church is a working church with hourly prayer and daily services The Church is declared as a heritage monument under the Chennai Circle of the Archaeological Survey of India. It is believed that the railings are made out of iron from the discarded weapons of Tipu Sultan.
St Mark’s Cathedral, Bengaluru began as a garrison church in 1808 of the Madras Army of the East India Company.The military colours 77th Moplah Rifles infantry Regiment, after disbandment, is buried on the west wall of St. Marks. There is also a memorial for the lives lost in the Moplah revolt. There are also memorial plaques for several British officers who lost their lives in the Bangalore Cantonment.
Further Reading:
IN KASAULI, THE CHURCH CLOCK IS TICKING AGAIN!
https://amolak.in/web/in-kasauli-the-church-clock-is-ticking-again/
A TREASURE TROVE IN KASAULI
https://amolak.in/web/a-treasure-trove-in-kasauli/
ST MARKS’ CATHEDRAL: The church that kept rising from the ashes.
https://bangaloremirror.indiatimes.com/bangalore/others/st-marks-cathedral-the-church-that-kept-rising-from-the-ashes/articleshow/62001638.cms
Indian Garrison Churches.
https://api.parliament.uk/historic-hansard/commons/1908/may/13/indian-garrison-churches
Church open to all – Army moves club from building, Telegraph India
https://www.telegraphindia.com › West Bengal
The Garrison Church, Fort William, Calcutta
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:The_Garrison_Church,_Fort_William,_Calcutta
CSI Garrison Wesley Church
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CSI_Garrison_Wesley_Church
Panagarh Garrison Church
Extract from http://www.onefivenine.com/india/Places/checkin/panagarh-garrison-church
Tommy Sir,
If I remember there used to be a chapel in the No 2 Area of AF Stn Agra. It was in the vicinity of the 2 VIP cottages & the AF school. Ant info on that?
I very much appreciate your article on the Garrison churches. Found it very interesting. Very informative too.
I have circulated it among the members of the Pune Legion, an Assoc of retired servicemen in Pune.
Keep up the praise-worthy effort.
Conrad
Thanks Conrad.
I don’t recall any chapel in AF Station Agra. The airfield and the old area was built in 1942 by the US Army Air Force. The New Project was built around 1957 when the Canberras arrived.
There was definitely a chapel at AF Station, Tambaram.
Hello Surjit ,
Thanks for sharing very informative history
of Churches in India .
With best wishes .
ABS Sidhu
Dear Sir,
Thanks for sharing a rather flawed blog. My reply given on the blog as under.
With best regards
KK Sharma
The article is a good collation of historical importance but suffers from a typical Indian-ness mindset or Atam-nirbharata catch-phrase. Firstly, a correction – the Britishers built two types of churches in most places (Shimla for instance). The officer cadre was from a Protestant community while the soldiers from Scotland or Ireland were Catholicism followers. Therefore to club both churches is like clubbing Shiva temple with Durga temple…or Vaishvanites with Shaivites.
Secondly, these churches are a part of the heritage. Imagine, Chandigarh barely 70 years old, has been running around like a headless chicken to UNESCO to be declared a heritage city!! They must remain in the hands of their diocese, as are all temples or Gurudwaras or Mosques. Most of these are on government land and hence the government has to honour their existence. Even by law, if one is occupying a piece of land for a certain period, they become the owner. Try evicting illegal occupants of Ambala cantt bungalows or elsewhere.
The idea of making them a prayer hall is noble but utopian for a country like India. It can only happen inside a cantonment. Why only churches, try that with all the religious places!!
Thanks, Kulwant Sharma, for a thoughtful comment. Agreed that the idea is utopian but then all philosophy is utopian.
Granted that there is a case for not disturbing churches that have a large congregation. Yes, the decision making should be amicable and by consensus. We should focus on the disused, neglected churches.
Thank you so much for sharing this.
Really a treasure trove of historical information!
Regards and hoping that all are well at home.
JNA
Dear 2997,
Very interesting compilation by friend Thomas .Enjoyed going through.
Regards,
3000
very informative article by Joseph,
All churches inIndia come under the theological hierarchy of the catholic or protestant church. Garrison churches are all Protestant as they were set up by the anglican ruling dispensation.
They will now come under either the church of North india ( CNI) or the Church of South India ( CSI). the congregations are almost entirely from the local civil population with a smattering of service personnel.and will vary from place to place..
Even in the UK many churches have been turned into hotels , bars, bingo halls , beauty parlours etc as the number of worshippers diminish and the expenses mount. The ,maintenance
costs for old buildings , particularly those not in use can be prohibitive.
One garrison church omitted is St Johns Church , Colaba, Mumbai, locally known as the Afghan church. If you have read MM Kayes book ” The Far Pavilions” about the afghan wars , you will find many of the names of the dramatis personae and the battle honours often regiments concerned on the walls of this church. It is in a good state of repair.
salim
Dear General,
Thank you for a most interesting link.
When I was Group Adjutant of Bombay Sappers in Kirkee I had seen some Regimental Flags of Bombay Pioneers inthe All Saints Church in Kirkee. Bombay Pioneers were disbanded by the British in the 1930s.
On its disbandment most of the personnel were absorbed in the Bombay Engr Group. I felt that the Flags must be kept in our Museum which already had artifacts of Bombay Pioneers.
I met the priest in charge and showed him our Museum. He was impressed and convinced to present it to us. Accordingly we collected the Flags and have kept them in our Pioneers part of the Museum.
I was involved in the authentication and publication of the Post Independence history of BEG which was written by now late Maj Gen Muddy Rao. I wrote the chapter on the achievement of Sports and Adventure.
Warm regards
Vivek
My dear General,
Thanks for sharing—brings back some nostalgic memories of my father’s service days when we visted some of these fine,— ancient & well maintained churches—-in particular I remember the Lovedale one from our stay at Wellington in the mid 1950s—–I hope we will be able to preserve all this for many more years to come.
Warm regards,
Zal Kabraji.
Very interesting and informative – we have one such church in Ahmedabad that is used by the Catholics and CSI – still belongs to and maintained by the army and only the priests and pastors come over for services……
Frank
Thank a lot.
ASFIC
MAY GOD BE WITH YOU
SATISH
Most interesting. There would be so many more. Enough for a book!
Many thanks Gen Surjit. Hope you will make KSLF this October, 13-15.
Warmly,
Niloufer
Surjit
Thanks for sending Joseph’s article on Garrison Churches.
I’ve sent it to some friends including Jerry Mathalone who now lives in Houston, TX.
Jerry sent two comments :
I would add the Afghan War Memorial Church in the middle of the Army Lines in Colaba, Bombay where I was christened as it happens. The vicar, a delightful avuncular old chap – name of Halliwell, did the deed and a good friend of my grandparents, Akhtar Ahmed was there and asked if she could be a Godmother – are you C of E asked the vicar, apparently she said that she was nominally muslim and he said I don’t suppose that really matters much!!! Good old Church of England
and
And I forgot to mention – - that church had all the battle standards of the English and Indian regiments destroyed in the three Afghan wars lined up in the ceiling along the central nave (they had disappeared the last time I went there ) and I always thought that any politician planning a war in Afghanistan should be made to spend a few hours there contemplating all those flags with bullet holes, bloodstains, powder stains etc. before giving any orders
Cheerz …. Bwana
Thanks Bwana and Jerry.
Yes, the Afghan War Memorial Church is called simply the Afghan church.
The Afghans have defeated the British Indian army, the Soviet army and the American army.
When I did the Staff course long ago, there was an Afghan Major on the course. And we learnt how the Afghans do it. We were learning and discussing defensive operations. Many student officers actively discussed how to hold the enemy right at the border. But not the Afghan. He said “Let them come. Let them come right in. Then we will deal with them.”
Regards,
J Thomas
Thanks. Great article. &. Followup.Reminder. by. U
Sir.
Personally. I. Feel. It’s. We. Veterans. Who. Should. Take. The. Initiative. Like. We. Did. While. In. Service.
Two. Qs.
Q1.
Is. The. Author. Thomas. In. Around. Chandigarh. To. Join. Hands. With. Like. Minded. Veterans?
Q2.
R. U. Sir. Prepared. To. Lead?.
Awaiting. Ur. Response.
Warm. Regards.
‘Perry’
Sir
Nicely written with good photos.
Sir, Happy Gurupoornima
Best Regards
Dr. B. V. Prabhu
Hosur
I agree with the suggestion that all such churches should be converted to Sarva Dharm Sthal, plus library and dispensary functions as add on.
Thank you sir.
With best regards,
Lt Gen Raj Kadyan
These are Heritage that’s the first thing that comes to mind. If the dwindling parishes or even the CNI are unable to meet their upkeep they should be utilised for public purposes. All faith prayer hall is an idea but honestly are their enough takers.? What about schools, hospitals etc. Officers Club etc last priority being 180 degrees opposite to original intent.
Thank you.
I do hope these churches can be maintained, by whatever means .
Become an activity centre for the community / toddlers and mother/ health centres /teaching computer skills to the elderly / young people who cannot afford to buy computers but need computing skills etc.
Each town / army unit near the church will have to take an initiative.
Such arrangements are needed in places where the Christian community members are very low and do not have the resources to maintain old church buildings..
Hope each town will think of ways of using and preserving these church buildings.
The article is a good collation of historical importance but suffers from a typical Indian-ness mindset or Atam-nirbharata catch-phrase. Firstly, a correction – the Britishers built two types of churches in most places (Shimla for instance). The officer cadre was from a Protestant community while the soldiers from Scotland or Ireland were Catholicism followers. Therefore to club both churches is like clubbing Shiva temple with Durga temple…or Vaishvanites with Shaivites.
Secondly, these churches are a part of the heritage. Imagine, Chandigarh barely 70 years old, has been running around like a headless chicken to UNESCO to be declared a heritage city!! They must remain in the hands of their diocese, as are all temples or Gurudwaras or Mosques. Most of these are on government land and hence the government has to honour their existence. Even by law, if one is occupying a piece of land for a certain period, they become the owner. Try evicting illegal occupants of Ambala cantt bungalows or elsewhere.
The idea of making them a prayer hall is noble but utopian for a country like India. It can only happen inside a cantonment. Why only churches, try that with all the religious places!!
I attended the Garrison Church, St. Thomas Mount, Chennai with my family for almost 20 years as members of the Church. My children received their First Communion in that Church. They used to have a wonderful Pipe Organ and the Church Choir was indeed beautiful. While my family continued to live in Chennai, I attended worship in the Church only during leave. It has a Church Cemetery not far from the Church. I guess the Church will complete 200 years of its existence in a few years from now. I recently read a news item about the Garrison Churches being taken over by the Govt. If that happens. I only hope that it would be in consultation with the Church Community. The Church and its Cemetery contained many memorabilia of the British Garrison stationed in St. Tomas mount.
Dear Col Alexander, there are many garrison church buildings which are lying disused and neglected.
Secondly, as far as I know, the garrison churches are public property. Some of them have been leased (free or at nominal rent) to the Churches of North India and South India (CNI and CSI).
Dear Sir, What a marvelous article. Very happy to read. Yes, the Churches can run like Gurdwaras as well. A kindergarten, elementary school and a medical clinic can be attached to them to serve the general public.
I thoroughly enjoyed the article. It’s a well treasured nostalgia from the days of Raj.
Thank you very much.
Interesting. When I was HM for the short period in 2005-06 I found that the beautiful church was not really being used. And it was too good an ambience to let go. We started having the Monday morning assembly in the church. I thought it might be a good way to start a week. The boys smartly turned out in blazer and flannels. The girls in blazer and skirts. And a lovely ambience of the church.
Some staff members were a bit apprehensive. They asked what if parents of other religions raised an objection to this practice. I could only say that I wouldn’t have a problem answering that – I am after all a Hindu isn’t it !!
Yes. A good idea to use many of the heritage buildings as All Faith Meeting / Prayer halls. Wish we educated generation could be more liberal and broad minded
The Duke University Chapel hosts all major religious groups present on campus.
Other religions hosted at Duke University Chapel include Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, Sikhism and Buddhism. See https://chapel.duke.edu/student…/religious-life-groups
For example:
Hindu Life at Duke offers weekly meditation and spiritual discussions to all students at Duke. They celebrate various Hindu religious events and provide spiritual guidance.
Priya Amaresh, Hindu Chaplain
https://www.facebook.com/DukeUniversityHSA
Nice article, thanks for sharing.
“All Faiths Prayer Halls.” – A good idea and very timely.
It would remain a place for worship.
Thank you sir.
This was nice and refreshing read. Something that, for quite a while, took me away from the ordinariness of my daily routine; back to my childhood.
We had a church (St Thomas Church, a Garrison Church) close to our ancestral home in Dehra Dun. Whenever we would cycle past we used to admire this edifice and imagine how stately it would have been in its youth. We were all the more in awe as we were told that Sir Cliff Richard was Baptised here. Back then there was no way to know if this was true but we believed it since our music teacher told us so!
Today, with “Google Power”, I have ascertained that it is indeed true. For those interested to know more, the link below will take you to more details.
https://www.dailypioneer.com/2016/state-editions/cliff-richards-baptism-in-doon-is-his-bond-with-the-valley.html
What a great article! I’m sure I’ve visited the church in Kasauli. I suggest getting a historical society or the ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) involved in the preservation of these buildings. Should they continue to operate as churches? If there’s a congregation, why not? Otherwise their premises could serve the community in some way (youth services, health services, etc.).
My instinctive suggestion is to allow the structures to operate as churches wherever feasible. The All Religion Prayer Halls is an excellent idea. We must however accept the fact that the noble arrangement may not be found viable even where churches cannot be so maintained. There is no wishing away the divides that have most unfortunately crept into our society. It is with regret that I have to say that we should not provide one more field for contestation among religions. In these instances, Community/Welfare/Medical Centres could be established subject to workability.
The Fort William Garrison Church has been the Eastefn Command Library for several years .
I agree these could be converted for all faiths
There is a garrison church in Wellington, Coonoor.
Very similar to the one in Lucknow
The School Church ought to be forever preserved as a Heritage Building.
Maybe with the help of an organization like INTACH or someone..
Very interesting reading. Something different.
The idea of converting these churches as devotional institute for all faith is appealing. This is in conformity with the existing SARVA DHARM STAL in infantry units and some other station institutes . The difference is that a portion of the same building is proportionately allotted to each religion, in such institutes .This will generate sufficient funds for maintenance.
HELLO,
In Gurdaspur, near my school In cantt cum civil lines area stands a Majestic Chruch. Popular as ‘Girjaghar’, since my Garrison Model school was convent administered, with village friends did attend Mass prayers at times.
My schooling and distant affiliations with church always made me alot comfortable in meeting people of any background. I owe alot to my school now called “The Little Flower Convent School”
Cdr Thomas has pleasantly connected me with my school and village childhood memories vide this beautiful post.
Thank you
Col S S Malik
When I joined Lawrence School, Sanawar in 1948 we used to go to the church in the school. It was a very old church and is still maintained well. All the silver and golden class reunions are held in the church. Next to the church is the war memorial in remembrance to the school boys who sacrificed their lives in WWI/WWII and the wars after independence.
My first posting after yo’s course was at (under raising) 4 EME Center Kamptee in 1963. Col. Darshan Singh Vohra was !st Commandant and wanted to raise all religious temples in the center. A Mandir , A Mosque and A Gurdwara were planned and under various stages of constructions. Only no suitable place and personnel were found for a church. There was a British time church in dilapidated condition on the main road leading to Nagpur. Col Vohra in true to his style decided to make it EME center Church. The right responsible personnel for the church building were contacted for permission and the Church building was repaired and white washed, lands around it cleared of weeds and new trees and flowers planted and a board on road leading to it was placed announcing
4 EME center Church. Col. DS Vohra after retirement established an artificial Center At Chandigarh named “NEVEDAC Artificial Limb Center”.