KOLKATA: A group of around 40 Kolkatans went around the city’s heritage churches on Christmas morning. They travelled about 10km on a chilly Tuesday, stopping at the heritage destinations and making a quick tour of the places where Christmas would be celebrated even more than a century back. Conducted jointly by NGOs Sparkand Footsteps Photowalks, the walk explored some of the oldest churches, steeped in tradition and history.
The first destination for the walkers was thePortuguese Church. Built in 1799, the Catholic church with two giant towers remained crowded on Christmas morning. The Armenian Churchat Burrabazar was the next destination followed by The Magen David Synagogue.
Built in 1764 and designed in the early 18th century, the Armenian Church is the oldest extant church in Kolkata. The interiors are decorated with marble, and the overhead gallery contains mural tablets. The altar has a cross, the gospels and 12 candlesticks symbolizing Christ and his Apostles. There is a staircase leading to an overhead gallery with walls full of mural tablets. Three oil paintings, including one of the Last Supper, share space with the murals.
“Heritage walks keep happening in Kolkata but this one was special since it took the walkers to the old churches. While we celebrate Christmas, few spare a thought for these buildings tucked away in some forgotten corners of the city. Some are in poor shape. They are as much a part of the city’s heritage as the roads and other prominent buildings. There couldn’t have been a better way to observe Christmas,” said Monica Khosla Bhargava, president of Spark.
Walkers also visited the St Andrew’s Church and St John’s Church. They explored the church and the premises which has Job Charnock’s grave. Perhaps the richest in history and heritage, St John’s had the walkers marvelling at the architecture. Built on land donated by Maharaja Nabo Kishen Bahadur, founder of the Shovabazar Raj family, Warren Hastings had laid its foundation stone in 1784. Two marble plaques at the entrance of St John’s Church mark the two historic events.
The church is a large square structure in the neoclassical architectural style. A stone spire 174 ft tall is its most distinctive feature. The spire holds a giant clock, which is wound every day.
“It was an exhilarating experience. I had no idea that the city had so much architectural treasure hidden in its backyards. I wish I had explored the churches earlier,” said V Kumar, who joined the walk.
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