You can say that St. Andrew’s Church is the kind of Colonial Church and it stands on the North East part of the Dalhousie Square. This Scottish Kirk was being established in the ancient Grecian style and you can call it to be the first landmark that you can see when travelling from Bowbazar to Dalhousie. This is the Lord Jesus Church and it is located in the area of Taltala and this is one of the perfect places to visit in the city of Kolkata. Before, this was known as the Church of the Scotland Presbyterian. This place of worship was given to the Jesuits in 1969. The church is the centre of various apostolic activities.
The History of the Church
In the beginning of the 19th century Calcutta was being visited by Alexander Duff, a Presbyterian Scottish missionary. He was an active member and he established the General Assembly Institution in 1830. This is the place which is known as the Scottish Church College in the present day. When you are walking on the Red Road in the city of Kolkata you would be pleased to have a view of the St. Andrews Church. This is the elite and the superb Grecian Edifice and the place welcomes travellers with all the charm and the ancientness.
The stone of the church was laid on the St. Andrews Day and it was the day of 30th November 1915. The incident took place under the supervision and in the presence of Countess of Loudon and Moria. Most of the local population call the place as the “Lat-Sahib-Ka-Girja”. In the present day the church is known by the name of “Murji-Church” and there is the weather cock standing on the high spire. It is splendid to have a view of the church as one of the major points of interest in Kolkata.
The Existence of the Church
The location of the church is the Lalbazar corner of Dalhousie Square. It is known as the senior Church of Scotland in the entire Bengal area. The journey began as the church of the Scottish Presbyterian Christians and this happened at the time when the place was ruled by the East India Company. In 1813 the Charter Act was passed and this gave permission to the missionaries and the chaplains to work in India to spread the name of Lord Jesus. You have Rev. Dr. Alexander Duff and he was there to provide the service in the early days of his life and that too for a short span of time.
The Happening of the Congregation
In 1815 there was the formation of the Scottish Congregation and this was headed by Doctor James Bryce. The initial service took place at the Asiatic Society Hall. With the passage of the time three separate congregations were being represented along with various Scottish Church denominations. As part of this you have the Wellesley Square United Free Church and there is even the River Parish Bengal Mills and you can even know about the Steamer’s Association together with the St. Andrew’s Church. The three formed the perfect church union in the year 1942 and the merging with the St. Andrew’s Church was really remarkable.
The Concluding Church Details
Once you go to the north and the south of the building you will find the elegant porticos and even the Doric Pillars. There is even the wrought iron fencing and you would love to have a close inspection of the same. The church is built by the Messrs Burn, Currie & Co. The church remains open for the public worship on 8th March 1818.