Bangalore's third oldest protestant church is a witness to Christ's love
St. John's Church is dedicated to St. John the Evangelist. This exhortation has taken St. John's Church through its years of ministry of caring and sharing as its mission in the congregation and in the community. The abundant fellowship rejuvenates life at St. John's Church over the years in the different wings of the Church and Fellowships, the Pastorate Committee and the Sub-committees. St. John's Church is truly a witness to Christ's love.
Nostalgic Beginnings
St. John's Church in Bangalore's is India's third oldest Protestant Church. It was started in 1853, by Rev. R. Posnett, Assistant Chaplain at St. Mark's, who felt that there was a need for a separate parish near the then 'Mootoocherry' area which was renamed as St John's hill. His intention was to have a compound, which could house a church, school and library, for the pensioned soldiers of the East India Company, and the Anglo-Indian community who could not be admitted to the Cantonment Schools. In 1853 a small room was built. This room served as a chapel-cum-schoolroom. St. John's High School was officially founded in 1854.
A one-room chapel measuring 47x 16 feet was constructed on a low ground near several kilns, with contributions from the officers of the East India Company. In the morning, the chapel was a school, in the afternoon it became a library for pensioners, and on Wednesdays and Sundays everybody gathered to worship God. A hall was built in 1918, which was used for the retired army personnel. This hall is now being used as the Parish Hall.
Encouraged with the success of the school-library-chapel, Rev. Posnett felt that there needs to be separate premises for the church and school, and on April 23, 1853, he wrote to the Bishop of Madras, saying "It should be mentioned that the Divine Services are celebrated twice during each week viz. on Sunday evenings and Wednesday evenings in the School room ...but this room is now filled to excess, the attendance for the last few months is ranging from 100 to 115. It is also proposed to sell the present school room in which there are 52 girls and 16 boys under instruction as it is inconvenient and in an otherwise objectionable position."
Rev. Posnett then approached the Church Building Society and applied to Major General Sewell, the then General Officer Commanding for funds to build a chapel and a school. However, the idea of constructing a chapel for civilians was new to the British administration and the application was rejected.
The required funds were Rs. 2300/-. Once again the officers of the East India Company backed up Rev. R. Posnett, and generously contributed to the cause. Appeals to the congregation resulted into a collection of Rs. 2,669 and 11 Annas, including £10 contributed by Rev. C. G. Townsend from Hatfield, England. Interestingly, the congregation's involvement with the school has continued over the years.
In October 1853, Rev. Posnett purchased for a sum of INR 100 an empty plot of land, near the Roman Catholic St. Francis Xavier's Church, which is today a Cathedral. The site measured 565 feet on the northern side, 600 feet on the southern side, 310 feet on the eastern side and 500 feet on the west, earmarking it for the Mootoocherry Anglican Church, along with a school and library.
The Construction of the Church
In September 1854, when Rev. R. Posnett left St. Mark's Church, he handed over the charge of the church to Rev. B. S. Clarke and Rev. D. J. Rogers. Rev. Clarke made a fresh estimate for the church to accommodate 300 persons at the cost of Rs. 6322/- for the building and Rs. 1433/- for the furniture, which was sent for Government approval. The sanction letter, dated August 1955, was received from the Directors of the East India Company on October 28, 1855. Thereafter the construction commenced. The body of the church was completed by 1856 at a cost of Rs. 6322/-.
Appeals for funds were made for the cost of building the tower and spire to the Church Building Society who promised to give Rs. 1200/- towards half of the estimated cost. So, Rev. Clarke appealed to the members of the congregation for the rest of the funds. Unfortunately, it was the poorer residents of Mootacherry who attended this church; the richer residents, who attended St Mark's, were of the opinion that if any church in Bangalore should be given a tower, spire and clock, it should be St. Mark's. So, the appeal was turned down.
In early 1857, a request was sent to the government to expand the building for 420 persons instead of the original 300 and on September 22,1857, the government granted permission. The Madras Sappers and Miners supervised the expansion, and the total cost, including the enlargement, furniture and compound wall came to a total of Rs. 11,625/-.
The Church was consecrated on April 12, 1858, by the Rt. Rev. Thomas Dealtry, the Third Bishop of Madras, and dedicated to St. John the Evangelist and renamed as St. John's Church. With this the name of Mootocherry was changed to St. John's Hill and the road south of the Church, right up to near Ulsoor Road, was named St. John's Church Road. The local people called the Church "Sigapoo Oosimatha Koil" which means the "Red Church".
Since the appeal to the residents of Mootocherry, for funds to construct the tower, but Rev. Clarke, Rev. Rodgers and Rev. T. Dealtry (son of Bishop Dealtry) contributed INR 1000/- between themselves, and the tower was completed by the end of 1858 for Rs. 3,852/-. So, the total cost of construction of the church was Rs. 15, 477/-. Rev. T. Dealtry became the first Chaplain of St. John's Church.
On November 12, 1895, the Bishop of Madras laid a cornerstone while starting the extension of the Church. In 1895-1896 the large chancel to hold the sanctuary and the choir, two front vestries (one for the chaplains and one for the choir) and the large front portico were completed. These were in addition to the small choir vestry and portico on the southern side.
The School and Library
Rev. Posnett used Gothic architecture for the school and the library so that "they will harmonize with the proposed Church for which the same style has been selected." The designs were prepared by the same engineer who had designed the architecture of the Bangalore High Court (Attarakacheri).
The new schoolrooms and reading rooms were completed by May 16, 1854, in approximately seven months, for a total cost of Rs. 2,700/-. Three new schools, one each for boys, girls, and infants, were opened on May 28, 1854, with a service by Rev. Posnett, the Chaplain of St. Mark's Church.
This school has grown to be one of the prestigious educational institutions of Bangalore with approximately 3,000 students on its rolls and offering both ICSE and ISC. It has two libraries and three well-equipped laboratories, including a computer centre for students to keep abreast of technological advances. It has many co-curricular activities like sports, NCC, Scouts and Guides.
Changes after Independence
After Independence, changes took place with the exodus of the Europeans. The strength of the congregation naturally reduced, but it soon grew. The services continued under Rev. Holder in the Anglican High Church tradition. In 1962, Rev. Joe Mullins took over as Presbyter and a new era began. The church began to grow dramatically, numbers increased, finances were stabilized, and new ministries were born.
Right from its inception, St John's has been concerned with the poor and the needy. In the early years, the congregation collected money to help the poor students in the school with books and uniforms. In fact, in 1886, it was recorded that of the total church collection of Rs. 545-11-3 a sum of Rs. 256-15-4 went towards the School Fund and Rs. 145-15-0 to the Poor Fund or nearly 75% of the total collection. This continued in the later years along with money being given to other institutions like the Divine Light School for the Blind, Leprosy Mission and Friend-in-need Society, besides its own projects like the Hostel, Stephen's Home for the Aged, and Asha Nivas, a home for senior citizens.
St. John's Hostel
The first institution set up by St. John's Church was the hostel to care for the Tibetan Refugee children, following the Chinese invasion of Tibet. Starting in 1969 in the present CCF/School canteen room, it shifted to a new hostel building on the northern end of the campus in 1964. The hostel gave them a good English education at the St. John's School. In 1986, the hostel was handed over to the Diocese to be run by the CSI/CCC, but the church continued to be involved and provided additional care. Today, we have 14 children from poor backgrounds between the ages of 5 to 16, studying at St. John's School and the Methodist Mission High School. The congregation supports them through the Friends of St. John's Hostel Committee, while St. John's School gives them a free education. It is not just addressing the physical needs but also the moral, emotional and spiritual needs in the right balance.
Asha Nivas
The second institution to be established within the Church compound was 'Asha Nivas, an old people's home, on August 12, 1978. It was established as a project to help the senior citizens of the CSI so that those who had sacrificed much and cared for others could now come and live in the shadow of the church and in the circle of its caring ministry. In February 1983, Asha Nivas was remodeled to have three blocks with five double suites with attached bath and kitchen and 12 single bath attached rooms. The central block includes a common recreation/dining room and kitchen.
The Stephen's Home for the Aged
Mrs. K.D. Stephens bequeathed her home on 14, Clarke Road to St. John's Church in 1990, for the purpose of running a home for the aged --- a home which would take care of those in need. The home was dedicated on August 9, 1998. The residents have always been those who, in the latter part of their lives, had found themselves in a state of distress and loneliness. In Stephen's Home for the Aged, the residents have found a haven of peace and security. The running expenses of the Home are met by the interest of the endowment fund and donations in cash or monthly provisions by the congregation members.
St. John's High School
The motto of St. John's High School "Nil Desperandum, Semper Fidendum" bears eloquent testimony to the mark St. John's High School has made to the Bangalore Cantonment and to the myriad students who have passed through its portals in the past years.
The Heritage of St. John's Church
The spire and the tower, the clock, the bell, the stained-glass windows, the organ and the cenotaph add a Victorian touch to our church.
The Altar
The present Chancel measures 36½ ft by 26¾ ft inclusive of the external walls. Its height was 30 ft from the floor to the top of the roof. When St. John's Church was consecrated in 1858, the Altar (sanctuary) area was very small. The Chancel (which includes the altar) was only 31' x 23' in size, while the Nave (main church hall) was 80' x 40'. This meant that the Chancel was only 23 ft wide as compared to the Nave, which was 40 ft wide and almost double in width. Earlier plans therefore show the Chancel and Altar as protruding over the top of the Nave and centered to that.
The Pipe Organ
The Pipe Organ was made in Norman & Beard's factory in Norwich, England,
and may have been installed between 1895 and 1898. The resonant notes
from this majestic instrument brings grandeur to the worship. The pipe
organ (by Norman and Beard) at St. John's is among the oldest and
rarest, and very difficult to repair. Initially, air had to be pumped
manually. Albert David added an electric blower to the organ in 1969.
The organ is nowadays used only for special occasions. In 2013, a
specialist team from Johannus, installed an Ecclesia T-270 at St.
John's Church. The Ecclesia T-270 church organ has 40 voices, 2 manuals
and an 8.1 audio system.
The Memorial
There exists a memorial in front of the church for members of the church who lost their lives in service of 'King and Empire', in World War I. On Remembrance Day (11 November), the officers of the Madras Regiment offer their tributes at this memorial.
The Eagle
Our 'Patron Saint'---after whom St, John's is named---is known as 'The Eagle.' Evidence exists that our predecessors were very conscious of this. Foremost is the fact that the magnificent brass lectern is shaped like an eagle. The School magazine is also called 'The Eagle'.
The Steeple Clock
The clock was manufactured by M/s J.W. BENSON, Ludcate Hill, London,
clockmaker to H.R.H.- The Prince of Wales. The clock bell like the
Church bell is fixed in the 3rd storey of the tower at a height of 45
feet to an "A" - frame arrangement at right angles to the Church bell.
The Clock Dial is four feet in diameter; two dials are fixed, one
facing St. John's High School.
The Tower
The magnificent spire and tower were built by the end of 1858 for Rs. 3,852. The funds for the construction of the tower came from Rev. Clarke, Rev. Rodgers and Rev. T. Dealtry (son of Bishop Dealtry); they contributed Rs. 1000 between themselves since appeals for money went unheeded. The tower houses the Church bell, which is fixed in the tower at the height of 55 feet approximately, and the clock bell like the Church bell is fixed in the 3rd storey of the tower at a height of 45 feet to an "A" - frame arrangement at right angles to the Church bell..
The Bell
The St. John's Church bell was cast in Madras Mint in 1858 as per the inscription found on the bell: it has completed 147 years in 2020. The Church bell is fixed in the tower at the height of 55 feet approximately.
The Stain Glass
St. John's Church can boast of six stained glass windows. One depicts 'Christ curing the blind man', erected in 1928 in memory of 'Robin Clarence Miles'. Another stained glass 'Christ healing the lame man', was dedicated to the glory of God on April 8, 1928 for mercies received by one Mary. Near the altar, one shows the Virgin Mary with a backdrop of white bell flowers and red roses and over the head of the Virgin Mary are three angels. The other stained glass has a life size figure of St. John the Evangelist, with the backdrop of grape bunches and climbers.
The Cenotaph
The Cenotaph was erected when the wooden rood screen and arch that
now separated the Chancel from the Nave in the Church was erected after the First World War in memory of those members who died in the "Great War".
Every year on Remembrance Day (November11), representatives of the Army, Navy and Air Force, and members of the church who have served or are serving in the armed forces, in formal dress and wearing their medals.participate in the services in the church and at the Cenotaph. At the cenotaph, the wreaths are placed, the Last Post is sounded by the Bugler, followed by a two minutes silence in memory of the valiant personnel who had died in action, the Rouse is sounded, and, accompanied by the Pipers, the hymn Abide with me is sung.
St. John's Institute (Parish Hall)
In 1918 the "St. John's Institute" was built to cater to the soldiers of the nearby barracks. "This served in World War I, in the time of peace and again during World War II, as a much-sought out place for young soldier lads who craved for friendliness and simple entertainment in a healthy atmosphere." Today it is our Parish Hall and the hall behind it is used by the School, earlier for its CCF project, and now as a dining hall. The Parish Hall was renovated in 1998. It is here that meetings of the ministries of the Church take place.
The Parsonage
There was no Parsonage in the church compound and the chaplains stayed outside. In 1958, legacies from Mrs. Westrap and Mrs. Smith enabled the church leaders to renovate an old cottage on the property and Rev. Holder moved into the present parsonage, from his residence on Ware Road.
St. John's Church Cemetery, Kalpally
St. John's Church has its own cemetery at Kalpally. In 1999 we constructed a special Open-air Chapel, the only one of its kind in India. This allows us to hold the funeral service before the burial. Every year on All Saints Day (November 1), a Memorial Service is held in the chapel to remember all the loved ones who are buried in the cemetery. In fact, the road connecting Meanee Avenue to Dickenson Road was named as St. John's Road, and the road leading Ulsoor Lake to the Kalpally Cemetery is named as St. John's Cemetery Road.
Church Office
In the early years, the administration concerns were mainly about the church, the cemetery, and the School, and these were looked after by the Pastorate Committee and the School Committee. The Chaplain or Presbyter and the Secretary of the Pastorate Committee were responsible for the administration with a small staff of the Church sextons and the Cemetery caretaker. With the growth of the church and the addition of new institutions like the Stephen's Home for the Aged and Asha Nivas, the need for the appointment of a part-time office secretary was felt and Mrs. Byrne was appointed in 1967. Today the office staff has grown to two secretaries, an accountant, two sextons and a gardener. A separate Church Office building was constructed at the end of the seventies. In 2000 to accommodate the new Community Centre, the office was moved to new premises adjoining the Parish Hall. This office was given a facelift in August 2004.
Community Centre
More than 25 years ago, the Pastorate Committee envisaged the need for a community centre that would cater to the congregation, the school as well as the extended community. Phase I of the St. John's Community Centre was dedicated on 4^th^ June 2002. It is a joint endeavor of the Church and the School. It consists of a multi-purpose hall that can seat 800 to 1000 people with a stage that can accommodate a 60-member choir. It is equipped with a well-ventilated kitchen and washrooms and a car park. It has a central air-cooling system, an audio system, stage lighting and a landscaped garden. It is therefore used for church programs, school programs, weddings and concerts.
Refurbishment and Restoration of the St. John's Church Building
The Church restoration was a project, which was initiated in 2017 by the Pastorate Committee. Over the years, there were many proposals for the restoration project. After taking into consideration the proposals from various technical experts, the project got the approval from the Karnataka Central Diocese in 2020, and it was implemented as per the Diocesan policies and procedures. The Project was a 100% refurbishment of the Church structure and a complete restoration using the traditional materials and methodology. The conservation architects and contractors who were appointed by the church were able to complete the project in a record time of 1 year and 3 months, especially during the lockdown because of the Covid pandemic.
Compiled by Rev. Navin K John
Sources
Pulse, magazine of St. John's Church -- St. John's Church In All Its Fullness AprilJune 2002 and Special Issue 2010 -- From 1853 to date
Centenary Souvenir 1850 -- 1950 of St John's Church, Bangalore
Souvenir 125 -- A brief history of the church: 1957-1982
Welcome to St. John's Church, Bangalore -- Brochure of the St. John's Church, 2002
Rebuilding Families: A Priority for Wholistic Mission -- TRANSFORMATION Magazine Vol. 10 No.3 July/Sept 1993 -- Samuel, Vinay & Colleen
Achanta, Pushpa (29 January 2013). "Testimony to a rich past" (Bangalore). Deccan Herald WE DON'T NEED TO GIVE CREDIT AS THERE ARE MANY SOURCES THAT HAVE WRITTEN ON ST. JOHN'S CHURCH
Majumdar, Rashmika (26 December 2013). "Not so far from the madding crowd" (Bangalore). The Hindu. Retrieved 5 February 2015.WE DON'T NEED TO GIVE CREDIT AS THERE ARE MANY SOURCES THAT HAVE WRITTEN ON ST. JOHN'S CHURCH
Appavoo, M. D. "A Study of the History of Christian Churches in Bangalore with special reference to the effects of Migration upon their life", Unpublished M.Th. Thesis at U. T. C., Bangalore, 1964 -- this is unpublished and therefore does not warranty credit
Selvaraj, Arthur D. "History of St. John's Church, Bangalore, Articles in PULSE magazine of St. John's Church, Bangalore, 1994-1996. -- credit has been given to Arthur Selvaraj in the Pulse. So it is the property of Pulse and St. John's Church.
Rev. P. K. Samuel "Welcome to St. John's Church, Bangalore", Brochure of the St. John's Church, 2002 produced by the Editorial Committee.
Online sources
# St.Mark's Church -- 1808, Holy Trinity Church -- 1851, St. John's Church -- 1858. (source: https://m.economictimes.com/magazines/panache/a-look-at-10-most-prominent-churches-in-bengaluru/articleshow/50321044.cms)
# http://ramubangalore.blogspot.com/2013/06/the-mootocherry-of-bangalore.html)
