As we all know, our favourite holiday season is almost here. Christmas is just around the corner, and it comes to the traditions and a sense of community. Aside from attending vibrant Christmas parties and hosting lavish lunches and brunches, paying a visit to the Church is another part of Christmas celebrations. There’s no better place to get into the Christmas spirit and experience the true essence of the season than a church. So if you’re planning on incorporating this tradition into your Christmas celebrations, here’s a list of churches around the city to visit!
- Sacred Heart Cathedral Church, Connaught Place.
Sacred Heart Cathedral Church is one of the city’s oldest and most magnificent churches. Built-in 1930, this Roman Catholic Church is located near Connaught Place. It is home to St. Columba’s School and the Convent of Jesus and Mary. Henry Medd designed the Sacred Heart Church, a well-known British architect deeply influenced by Italian architecture. The Church’s interior is adorned with a curving roof that rises to an impressive height. The frontage is adorned with a canopy supported by white pillars. The entrance is decorated with circular turrets that rise over the Church’s roof. The Church’s floor is composed of polished stone. An altar behind the marble is a large fresco depicting the Last Supper. A great figure of the Virgin Mary stands to the Chapel’s left, alongside a massive cross. Easter and Christmas are two of the most important events held in the Cathedral. The Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth and the Christmas Vigil Service, an hour before midnight on Christmas Eve, is the most prominent Christmas celebrations. Throughout the year, a variety of cultural and social programs are held. The entire Church is decorated with fairy lights, colourful objects, sparkling stars, wreaths, and other ornaments. On Christmas Eve, large groups gather to celebrate. There’s a midnight mass, Carol singing, prayer singing, and other activities. After midnight, a cake is sliced and distributed to everyone. Alongside the Church’s entrance, there are fun stalls and activities.
Address- 1, Gol Dak Khana Roundabout, Ashok Place, Sector 4, Gole Market, New Delhi, Delhi 110001.
2. Centenary Methodist Church, Lodhi Road.
Centenary Methodist Church, which dates back to 1948, is one of Delhi’s oldest Methodist churches. However, the Church was only a plan of Bishop J.W. Pickett, established in 1956, the same year the Church’s foundation was laid. To that end, a fundraising effort was launched to raise Rs 50,000, or 10% of the overall cost. The Board of Missions of the Methodist Church in New York, on the other hand, offered to cover the remaining 90% of the price. However, as the number of followers grew, the government of India gifted 1.27 acres of property to the Methodist Church of India in 1956, and thus the Church was born. The interiors and exteriors of the Church in south Delhi have a classic British style, with a cottage-like slanting roof. A lot of people from various regions visit this Church during Christmas.
- Address – 24, Lodhi Rd, CGO Complex, Pragati Vihar, New Delhi, Delhi 110003.
- 3. St. James Church, Near Kashmiri Gate.
- St. James’ Church, built by Colonel James Skinner and consecrated in 1836, is Delhi’s oldest worshipping Church. In 1836 A.D., the St. James’ Church was the first Church built in Delhi. With exquisite colonial classical architecture and a Florentine dome, this Church is designed in the shape of a Greek cross. This structure conveys the significance of association and introducing a new architectural style in Delhi. The congregation sits in the circular chamber beneath the dome, supported by an octagonal arcade. Two stained-glass windows, one on either side of the cross, represent the crucifixion and ascension above the altar. It’s close to Kashmiri Gate in New Delhi and has a lot of historical significance and artistically influenced dome architecture from Venice. Many notable people have come to pray, visit, and marry here. In 1961, Queen Elizabeth II paid a visit to the Church. In 1995, the Archbishop of Canterbury delivered a visit, and Justin Welby, the current Archbishop of Canterbury, paid a visit in 2015. The Christmas spirit is in full swing here. Many people gather to attend mass and be a part of this beautifully furnished and lit Chapel, which oozes beauty and tranquillity.
Address – Madarsa Road, Kashmere Gate, Delhi – 110006 (Near Ambedkar University.
4. St. Michael’s Church.
St. Michael’s Church is one of central Delhi’s oldest Roman Catholic churches. The Church, which was founded in 1953, holds a significant religious significance in the hearts of its followers. Aside from that, many people are drawn to the Church’s exceptional architectural architecture because of its beauty. Masses are held in St. Michael’s Church in both English and Hindu, and anyone can attend either of them. Moreover, the Church has several festivals throughout the year, which attract many believers worldwide. Christmas and Easter are two such celebrations that draw enormous enthusiasts and visitors alike.
- Address – Guru Ravi Das Marg, Prasad Nagar, Dev Nagar, Karol Bagh, New Delhi, Delhi 110005.
5. Cathedral Church of the Redemption.
The Viceroy Church, also known as the Cathedral Church of the Redemption, is a church in New Delhi, India, constructed between 1927 and 1931. The Church lies east of Parliament House and Rashtrapati Bhavan, previously Viceroy House, which served as the residence of the British Viceroy at the time. The Cathedral Church of the Redemption of India is a component of the Church of North India’s Delhi diocese (CNI). Henry Medd was a student of the Lutyen School of architecture, which can be seen in several of his works, including the Cathedral Church of the Redeemer. The Chapel is constructed so that even the hottest summers do not affect the serene and mild temperatures. The Free Church in Hampstead Garden Suburb bears a striking resemblance. Its name derives from Palladio’s Church in Venice. The Church exudes such divine and heavenly vibes that lead to an authentic midnight mass celebration. The church interiors have some gorgeous paintings to behold, and therefore these paintings are fascinating as its history. Madonna and the Child is a replica by an Italian Renaissance painter known as Giovanni Bellini. It has existed for about 80 decades! The entire architecture of this place, both the exteriors and interiors, exudes a welcoming atmosphere. Royalty and divinity are reflected in the warm tones of colour shades, domes, and carvings. Expect to be a part of a magical and unforgettable midnight mass over the Christmas season (in 3 different languages). It comes alive even more during the Christmas season, with the decorations and general festive mood. If you’re searching for a genuine Christmas festivity, visit it this year.
Address – Church Road, 1, North Ave, New Delhi, Delhi 110001.
6. Luke’s Church.
St. Luke Church in Delhi is a Roman Catholic church and one of the city’s most revered Christian shrines. This beautiful-looking Church was established in the year 1978. The archbishop’s order, Angelo Innocent Fernandez, was responsible for building this Church. Basking in red with unique architecture and a large assembly hall, the Church has a fantastic tale to tell about its founding in Defence Colony. The name of this colony comes from the fact that the plots here were only available to members of the armed forces from all three wings – Air Force, Navy, and Army – at the time of its founding. Furthermore, this previously assigned the property on which the Chapel now stands to an Army major who died of a heart attack. Another person eventually purchased the plot, who died of a heart attack. As a result of the deaths of the previous two owners, the land was seen as a curse by the people. This was the time when Frs. Charles and Pascal Rodrigues were looking for a piece of land in Defence Colony to build a church. When they learned about the unoccupied property, the Church decided to purchase it. Because it was in a residential area, it was previously utilized as a residential house known as St. Luke’s residence. The Church’s patron saint is Luke, the only non-Jew who contributed significantly to the New Testament. When it comes to the history of this location, Festivals such as Christmas and Easter are reverently observed at the Church and draw enormous crowds from all around the world. The Church is also packed with devotees on Sundays, most church members. Not only that, but the Church also holds Sunday school for children to teach them about Christianity and moral principles. On the other hand, the teachers are fathers, parents, nuns, and church volunteers. Furthermore, the Church holds services in English, Hindi, and Malayalam.
Address – B-68, Défense Colony, New Delhi, Delhi 110024.
7. St. Mary’s Catholic Church.
This sacred dwelling is a small, quaint chapel that is well-kept, with a peaceful aura that contrasts with the tumult of the outside world. It was established in 1865 and is one of Delhi’s oldest churches. Mary’s Church can find this Church’s charm in every corner, and it also has murals depicting Christ’s and Mary’s lives on the walls. The structure was constructed in the latter half of the nineteenth century. Chandni Chowk is used to a lot of noise. Therefore the most famous Church in Delhi removes all of it. Despite its location in the bustling Chandni Chowk area, the surreal ambience of this magnificent Church will transport you to another dimension. As a result, if you’re looking for a spot to get away from it all, here is the place to go. St. Mary’s is a picture of grace, serenity, and divinity. Thanks to its beautiful furnishings and relaxing atmosphere, this delightful structure has won hearts. It is packed with tourists on Christmas Eve, which adds to the festive atmosphere!
Address – 2417, Shyama Prasad Mukherji Marg, Katra Ghel, Khari Baoli, Delhi.
8. St. Stephen’s Church.
If you are travelling to the old railway station in Delhi, you are in for a ride with this fantastic place. The architecture is red, and the building looks lovely, nonetheless. You can sense the peace from seeing it miles away. The Church shows the Gothic style of different architecture, which hints at Romanesque style. The Church has a high ceiling as well. The building is currently 150 years now.
Address – Fatehpuri, Church Mission Rd, Katra Ghel, Khari Baoli, Chandni Chowk, New Delhi, Delhi 110006.
9. St. Thomas’ Church.
The St. Thomas Church in Delhi was established in 1971 by the Archbishop of Delhi. This magnificent Church in Delhi is dedicated to Saint Thomas, one of Jesus Christ’s twelve followers. This magnificent sacred abode has a long history dating back to when there was no designated place of worship for Christians in South Delhi. The Catholics of the South were relieved and thanked God for providing them with a room for their Sunday mass after founding Holy Child Auxilium School in 1971. The Archbishop of Delhi felt compelled to establish a church in South Delhi. As a result, a search for a suitable location was undertaken, culminating in the current location of St. Thomas Church. Mughal empire monuments influence the building’s basic design. This gives the Cathedral an uncanny resemblance to other Mughal monuments in the Delhi region. At St. Thomas Church in R.K. Puram, Masses are held in English, Hindi, Malayalam, and Tamil languages. The Church celebrates several festivals and celebrations throughout the year; the most important is Christmas. The Church gets a great crowd of devotees and tourists from worldwide on Christmas Day.
- Address – 1, Church Rd, Sector 2 R K Puram, Sector 2, Rama Krishna Puram, New Delhi, Delhi 110022.
10. St. Alphonsa’s Church.
The Church is dedicated to Saint Alphonsa, India’s first woman saint. Alphonsa’s Church is nestled among lush vegetation in one of the city’s most attractive sites. The interiors of the Church are mainly wooden and white. Architectural carvings and sculptures appear to be captivating and beautiful. The interiors also mirror the Holy Bible’s lessons and stories in an innovative way. Make a point of visiting this Church this Christmas if you want to be immersed in pure divinity and peace. The decor and atmosphere are magnificent, and the beauty is unparalleled.
Address – 9, Green Ave Rd, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi, Delhi 110070.
The list goes on and on; all you have to do is take a chance and follow your heart! Merry Christmas 2022
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