CHRIST CHURCH: BRITISH GARRISON’S LABOUR OF LOVE
BAREILLY: Constructed by officers of East India Company in 1838, this 179-year-old church in Bareilly was among the first few buildings set up in the area when they wanted to gain a foothold in the plains of Rohilkhand.
It was the British garrison officers that oversaw its construction and later christened it—Christ Church. Based on Gothic architecture and painted in red and white, the church building is divided into an altar area, central hall and outer porch. The porch leads to a gravel path, which connects the church to the main road. During Colonial era, British officials would arrive on horse carts (buggy) to the church. Junior officers would alight from their carts outside near the outer wall while senior officials were welcomed at the porch. As per Gothic architecture the 10ft by 10ft porch has 50ft pointed towers at each corner.
Inside the church, two rows of four pillars divide the sitting area, which has a capacity to hold 200 people. Right across the sitting area is the altar. Roof of the central hall is made of concrete sheets supported by wooden frames. The then administration spent a little over Rs 7000 in construction
of the church.
However, during the uprising of 1857, the hall and most of the church was destroyed by rebels. The building was restored again in 1860 and remained the primary place of worship of British officials till Independence in 1947. “Faith is what keeps a church safe even under trying circumstances,” remarked Dr Emmanuel. M. Lall, reverend of the Free Will Baptist Church in Bareilly.