St. John in the Wilderness Church
An elegant church from British Era
- Address: Road to Naddi Village from McLeod Ganj, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176215
A place worth visiting while in McLeod ganj in the Kangra District of Himachal Pradesh. St John’s church is easily accessible from McLeod ganj .
This Church has a story and a history which dates back to the British period. The church is dedicated to John the Baptist and was built in 1852 and its architecture is based on Neo Gothic style.
The church has Belgian stained glass windows with beautiful artwork donated by Lady Elgin, wife of Lord Elgin.
Grave memorial of James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin, Viceroy of India (1862–1863) at the church
The church has graveyard which is in ruins and is the resting place of the British people who have passed away in the earthquake in 1905 AD. The church was left untouched in the earthquake other than the bell tower which was destroyed.
The new bell was built in 1915 AD and was brought from England to be installed in the compound. Due to its unique location and Gothic feel St John Church attracts lot of tourist. The church is only opened on Sundays when mass is held in the morning at 10am in English and 11am in Hindi.
Along the walking path in the church, the holy cross symbols are artistically made with colourful stones. The church is usually under close watch by security guards to make sure no damage is caused by tourists and visitors.
The beautiful church with its neo-gothic architecture is a part of the colonial heritage. The church was a dedication to John the Baptist and built in the year 1852. It was a place of worship for the British troops that were placed here during that period. In 1905, a major earthquake hit the Kangra area and took the lives of around 19,800 people.
Most buildings in Kangra were completely destroyed but the church remained almost untouched except its bell tower which was partially broken. In 1915, a new bell was reinstalled. The graveyard surrounding the church is where Lord Elgin, Governor-General and Viceroy of India was buried in 1861.
The St John Church in The wilderness Dharamsala may not have the grandeur of the Churches in Goa or Karnataka but it has strange timeless beauty that merges harmoniously with its setting in the middle of beautiful Dhauladhar ranges.
Location: Easily accessible from McLeodganj, it is advised to take the 20-minute walk downhill from the bus station instead of taking an auto-rickshaw.
Timing: Sunday mass is held at 10 AM in English and at 11 AM in Hindi. Rest of the days, the church is open from 7 AM to 6 PM.
Price: There is no entry fee.
