St. James Church In Delhi

St. James Church Of Delhi

The St. james church of Delhi is supposed to be the oldest Church in Delhi. It is situated in the Kashmere gate area of the Old Delhi. It was built by Sir James Skinner, a son of Scotish Father and a Hindu Rajput Mother. His father was working in the British army. He was brought up in India and wanted to join the British army but as the law at that time of the British army that only those who were born in Britain can join the army as the officer so he was rejected by the British army. There after he joined the Maratha army. He was a very brave officer and fought many battles for the Marathas. He formed a cavalry which was named after him. It was called Skinner horse. He won many battles for the Marathas and was finally incorporated in the main army by the British. He gradually was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel. There is still a regiment named after him in the Indian army till this date. As happen in life of every brave soldier he was badly wounded in a battle and the chances of his survival were very bleak. So when he became hopeless about his survival he prayed to Jesus and promised him if he survived he would build a Church to show his faith to him. By the grace of Jesus Christ he survived and thus he made this Church.

                   The design of the St James Church is a mix of Greek and Roman architecture. The Church was completed in 1836 and it took 8 years for the church to be completed. The dome of the St. James Church resembles that of the dome of the Florence Cathedral in Venice in Italy and looks like inspired by it. Sitting area of the Church is below the dome. The inside of the dome has Muslim touch and is of the ear of the Mughal Empire in India.

During the revolt of 1857 against the British Empire by the then Indian army (raised by many kings of India) the Church was badly wounded as a big battle took place in that area. The walls of the Church was badly hit and bore many bullet holes and marks.

The saint James Church is beautifully decorated in the month of December during the month of the Christmas.

The grave of Sir James Skinner and his family members are inside the compound of the Church.