Christ Church – The Second Oldest Church In North India

The famous Christ church & St. Michael’s Cathedral of Shimla is a beautiful architectural masterpiece. The construction of this church took a span of 11 years (1846 – 1857) and is considered to be the second oldest church in North India. It is a parish in the Diocese of Amritsar in the Church of North India. Its current incumbent is The Rev. Mushtaq Achher Malk, B.D., M.Th., whose ecclesiastical designation is presbyter-in-charge. Worship is conducted in Hindi and English.

Built in the neo-Gothic style in 1857 to serve the largely Anglican British community in what was formerly called Simla, Christ Church is situated on The Ridge where is stands out as one of the prominent landmarks of Shimla. The silhouette of Christ Church is visible for miles around the vicinity of Shimla city. Christ Church remains one of the enduring legacies of the British Raj.

Christ Church Shimla

Christ Church was designed by Colonel J. T. Boileau in 1844, and the church was consecrated after 1857. The clock adorning Christ Church was donated by Colonel Dumbleton in 1860. The porch was added in 1873. Christ Church has survived partition and the subsequent political upheavals on the Indian subcontinent. Christ Church continues to be very well maintained and remains in good condition. The clock, however, no longer functions – due to entropy.

The church contains five fine stained glass windows. One represents the Christian virtues of Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Patience and Humility.The Pipe-Organ of Christ Church is the biggest in the Indian subcontinent and was erected in September 1899.

By Air

Shimla’s Jubbarhatti Airport is nearly 25 km away from Christ Church.

By Train

Shimla has a meter gauge railway station. It connects to the nearest broad gauge station at Kalka, which is at a distance of 89 km from Shilmla.

By Bus

HRTC buses offer bus connectivity from all cities in Himachal Pradesh to Shimla.

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