Churches in Bangalore

Historical Churches of Bangalore

St.Mark's Cathedral

Located in M.G.Road, St.Mark's Cathedral was founded in 1808, completed in 1812, consecrated in 1816. The monument was enlarged in 1901 and rebuilt in 1927. The church is a member of Churches of South India (CSI). Modeled along the lines of the 17th century St.Paul's Cathedral, this cathedral is a beautiful colonial structure having a graceful dome over a semicircular chancel. It has one of the best maintained external bells. The entrance has elaborate woodwork and ornate carvings. Roman archers along the wall and the stained glass windows look exquisite. The church is named after St.Mark, who was believed to have been the first Gospel writer. After 200 years, the Bicentenary was celebrated during 2007-08.

St.Patrick's Church

Located on Brigade Road, this is one of the oldest churches in the city. The church was built in 1844, consecrated as a cathedral in 1899 and renovated in 2000. The current structure boasts of an arched entrance flanked by twin columns. Twelve pillars symbolising the twelve apostles add grace to the interiors of the church. On the right of the main church is a little shrine dedicated to St. Anthony. The annual feast of St. Anthony on 13th June is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm. A recent addition is the Adoration Chapel, conducive to silent prayer and meditation. Residence of the Bishop, educational establishments and two agricultural settlements for famine orphans are all within the church premises.

St. John's Church

St. John's Church started as a small chapel in 1853 with a school (St.John's School), located in Haines Road which connects Cleveland Town to Fraser Town. Rev. R Posnett, Assistant Chaplain, East India Company, serving at St. Mark's Church played a significant role in establishing St. John's Church and the school to serve Eurasian children of the residents of Bangalore Cantonment. The church, school and the library had matching Gothic architecture. Rev. Posnett had the church designed by the engineers who designed the Municipal Offices (Attara Katcheri, Karnataka High Court building). WW1 memorial is in front of the church for members of the church who lost their lives in World War I. Cantonment area near St.John's Church was called Mootocherry.

Holy Trinity Church

A landmark at the east end of M.G.Road, this church was built in 1848-51 in the English Renaissance style. With a capacity to accommodate 700 people, it is considered the largest military church in Southern India, since it was built for the British Army stationed in Bangalore Cantonment. The church has a tall tower and unparalleled pillars. The three pairs of angels carved in wood, on the roof are noteworthy. There are decorative memorials and articles inside the church which depicts the stories of great men and women. The great bell of the church, the stained glass at the altar and the baptismal pond at the entrance were brought from London. The Trinity School and Boy's Home for the less fortunate, senior citizens home and the Bishop's residence are all in the campus of the church.

St.Andrews Kirk

This beautiful monumental church, popularly known as a Kirk ( Celtic word for church), is located on Cubbon Road. It was named after St.Andrews, a patron saint of Scotland. 19th century Scottish regiment soldiers and a few Scottish civilians of Presbyterian background wanted to establish the same in Bangalore. Private civilians, army officers and soldiers led by Rev.S.Wright sought permission of the Scottish Church authorities in 1860, to build a Church in Bangalore. The church was built during 1864-1866. The original congregation members who were regiment soldiers and officers of foregeign origin, marched around the Church every Sunday, occupying central pews in an orderly army manner. It was a Westernised Church with Scottish Customs, classical Scottish square dancing, western music, celebrating St.Andrew's Day, Burns' Right etc. There are many brass plaques on the walls inside the Church in memory of those soldiers and civilians. Eventually St Andrews church joined CSI (Churches of South India)in September 1959.

All Saints Church

New!

Built in 1870, The All Saints Church is located on Hosur Road. An old age home and a school for special children are in the church premises. While CSI claims that the church was built on land granted by Krishnaraja Wadiyar III, erstwhile Maharaja of Mysuru, the defence ministry claims ownership of the 7,426 sqm land which was leased to the church, in the wake of the land acquisition plans by BMRCL for the proposed Vellara underground station along Namma Metro Phase II project from Gottigere to Nagawara. Rev Samuel Taylor Pettigrew, founder of Bishop Cotton School, built the All Saints Church with donations from the public. Architect Robert Fellowes designed the church in Gothic revival style. There are more than a 100 trees in the garden. Activists & members of the church have been protesting against land acquisition plans and felling of trees by BMRCL.

Hudson Memorial Church

Established in 1904 Hudson Memorial Church is centrally located near the Bengaluru Corporation office. The Kannada Protestant church location is now a landmark known as Hudson Circle. Rev. Josiah Hudson, a missionary and educationist, is said to have encouraged the growth of Kannada by setting up schools in the city. Between 1822 – 1857 Kannada service was held in fort area. From 1859 – 1903, the service was shifted to Ganigarapet or Main Street now Nagrathpet. In 1904, Dr. Aayachamma donated land to build the current structure. The architecture is a combination of Classical and Gothic styles with stained glass windows painted by artists from London.

Infant Jesus Church

In the mid sixties, Fr. Paul Kinathukara felt drawn by a holy power in a rose garden in Somanahalli ( Vivek Nagar). He prayed for the land to Infant Jesus of Prague. When the land was bought, he toiled to get BDA approval in 1977 to fulfill his dream of building a church. The foundation was laid by Rev. Dr. Lourduswamy, in April 1969. The church was opened in 1979 and the shrine next to church in 1989. The current church was inaugurated in 2005. The fan shaped prayer hall has a capacity for 2500 people with 9 faces and openings all around. Devotees of all faiths throng to this church on Thursdays. The most noticeable feature of the church is the secular nature of the devotees.