Christmas is just round the corner. In Delhi, it is not just the Christians looking forward to it. Every Dilliwala is excited about celebrating Bada Din, as Christmas is known commonly. Malls are getting decked up with innovative Christmas decorations. Schools have already selected their in-house Santa Clause and begun practicing for their Christmas play.
Some of you may not know this, but Delhi has a treasure trove of churches. And during Christmas season, these are a sight to behold! The churches with their unique architectural styles and histories are decked up to warm your hearts.
We have made a list of some extraordinary churches in Delhi that you can visit this Christmas (or in fact, on any day of the year).
Sacred Heart Cathedral
We discovered that the church holds mass in three different languages–English, Hindi, and Malayalam. During Christmas, the main attraction here is the great feast of the ‘Holy Family of Nazareth’.
The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is one the largest Catholic churches in Delhi. As you enter the premises, a life-size statue of Pope John Paul II greets you. The church is built in the Italian style of architecture. The brilliant red colour of the structure and the surrounding green grass make for the perfect contrast. Inside, just behind the altar, you can see a fresco of the Last Supper.
Where: Gol Dak Khana Roundabout, Ashok Place
Cathedral Church of Redemption
Located next to the Rashtrapati Bhawan, this is one of the most ‘vintage-looking’ churches in Delhi. Looking at the lofty arches and domes, for one moment we though that we are standing in front of a European church.
Here, too, the annual Christmas midnight mass is held in three languages—English, Hindi, and Tamil. The feast that follows has a touch of local flavours. So, along with the trademark Christmas dishes, you might also see Yakhni Pulao and Gujiya. The church also holds religious concerts on Christmas.
Where: Church Road, North Avenue
Central Baptist Church
In the hustle bustle of Chandni Chawk lies a gem—the Central Baptist Church. It is located just opposite Gurdwara Sisganj. It is might possibly be the oldest Christian mission in the whole of northern India.
The church has European-style heavy thick columns and arched openings. We noticed many plaques on the walls of the church engraved in Urdu. When enquired, we got to know that these are the names of people who have devoted their lives to this church.
Also known as ‘Mother Church’, this is perhaps the only church in India where prayer is held in Urdu. According to the pastor, this is a result of the Mughal influence. As part of their Christmas celebrations, the church also has qawwali. The Central Baptist Church is truly an expression of the diverse culture of Delhi. In fact, the whole area around the church is an epitome of the secular camaraderie between people belonging to different faiths, with a temple, a gurdwara, and a mosque in the vicinity.
Where: 1860, Chandni Chowk Road
St. James’ Church
St. James’ Church is one of the oldest Anglican churches in Delhi. Located near Kashmiri gate, it was the church the Viceroy of India attended until the Cathedral Church of the Redemption was built. Painted in golden-yellow, the church is built in Italian style. In fact, the copper ball and cross on the top are said to be a replica of a Venetian church. The stained glass windows inside the church depict scenes from the Bible. We were told that these are the original works of Italian painters. St. James’ Church has a unique history as it was heavily damaged during the mutiny of 18577. The site also has a huge memorial cross to honour the memory of the victims of the revolt.
There is going to be a grand carnival on December 25th this year on the occasion of church’s 182nd anniversary. A portion of the proceeds from the event will be donated for disaster relief work.
Where: Church Road, Mori Gate
St. Thomas’ Church
Relatively modern in its architecture, St. Thomas’ Church is one of the important landmarks of South Delhi. The red brick structure draws its inspiration from the rich heritage of Mughal architecture. The prayer hall has an unusual polygon shape. The altar is made entirely of wood. We also saw a grotto, an artificial cave, with the statue of Mother Mary in it. St. Thomas is popularly known as ‘Doubting Thomas’ because he was not sure about Christ’s resurrection. It is believed that he came to India along with eleven other apostles.
The church hold mass in English, Hindi, Malayalam, and Tamil.
Where: Sector 2, R.K. Puram
