All Saints Cathedral, Allahabad

All Saints Cathedral, Allahabad
Facade of the All Saints Cathedral
25°27′04″N 81°49′35″E / 25.4512°N 81.8264°ECoordinates: 25°27′04″N 81°49′35″E / 25.4512°N 81.8264°E
Location	Allahabad
Country	India
Denomination	Church of North India
History
Founded	April 1, 1871
Founder(s)	William Muir Elizabeth Huntly Wemyss
Consecrated	1887
Architecture
Status	Cathedral
Functional status	Active
Architect(s)	William Emerson
Style	13th Century Gothic architecture
Specifications
Capacity	400
Length	240 ft (73 m)
Width	56 ft (17 m)
Nave width	40 ft (12 m)
Height	103 ft (31 m)
Materials	Marble, Red sandstone, Tile, Stained glass
Administration
Diocese	Diocese of Lucknow

All Saints Cathedral, also known as Patthar Girja (Church of Stones) is an Anglican cathedral located in Allahabad, India.^[1]

Modeled after 13th-century Gothic style churches,^[2] it is among the Gothic Revival buildings built by the British during their rule in India. British architect Sir William Emerson, who also designed the Victoria Memorial, Kolkata, designed the cathedral in 1871. It was consecrated in 1887 and was completed four years later. The church celebrates its anniversary on All Saints' Day (November 1) and is part of the Church of North India.^[2] The cathedral is build at the centre of a large open space at the crossing of two of the principal roads of Allahabad, MG Marg and SN Marg.

History

All Saints Cathedral, Allahabad in the night.

The land for the cathedral was granted by Sir William Muir, the lieutenant governor of the North Western Provinces, thereafter Elizabeth Huntly Wemyss, his wife, laid the foundation stone on April 10, 1871.^[2] British architect Sir William Emerson was employed to designed the building, he had already designed the Crawford Market, Bombay, and followed this with the Muir Central College, Allahabad (1872–78), which is now part of the Allahabad University^[3]

According to The Building News, November 25, 1887, the cathedral was commenced some 15 years ago and was at first intended for the cathedral of the North-Western Provinces and to have an open verandah and ambulatory all round. It was, however, afterwards decided that the cathedral of the North-Western Provinces should be at Lahore instead, though it is now thought probable that this will eventually form the cathedral church of a new dioceses. Since first begin, Allahabad, by reason of extension of the railway system has increased so enormously that it is found necessary to provide for the addition to the transept and choir of a nave accommodating a much larger congregation that was dreamed of at first.^[4] The great heat necessitates, the massive construction, and the two carriage porches under the towers, as well as windows low down that can be filled during the hot weather with wet khuskhus mats. The roof is supported on arches on accounts of white ants, and the general simplicity of detail is necessitated by the class of workmen obtainable in this part of India. The work is carried out in a cream-coloured stone with fine red sandstone dressings, and the roof is covered with red native tiles.

Architecture

The cathedral's nave is about 40 feet wide and 130 feet long, total length of the church is about 240 feet and internal width is about 56 feet. It is designed to accommodate 300 to 400 persons. It is a remarkable example architecture of colonial India. Glass and marble work of Cathedral is retained in originality even after more than 125 years, The Cathedral also houses many plaques which depict the death of different British nationals for a variety of reasons during their rule in India. The church is surrounded by a lush green garden.

The pulpit is an exceedingly fine piece of workmanship in alabaster by Mr. Nicholls of Lambeth from Mr. Emerson’s designs. Narrow aisles were made in the building thus giving a total internal width of about 56 feet. There are two transepts on the North and South respectively, a chancel with an ambulatory, a central tower at the intersection of the nave and transepts and a west porch. The lantern tower, Victoria Tower, is a memorial to Queen Victoria.^[2]

See also

• Christianity in India
• William Emerson
• List of churches in Allahabad
• List of cathedrals in India
• List of tourist attractions in Allahabad

References

1. "An array of city's glorious past at Magh Mela". The Times of India. Feb 16, 2011.
2. "All Saints Cathedral celebrates 130th Anniversary today". The Times of India. Oct 31, 2001.
3. Philip Ward (1998). Gujarat–Daman–Diu: A Travel Guide. Orient Blackswan. p. 280. ISBN 8125013830.
4. "1887 - All Saints Cathedral, Allahabad". archiseek.com.

• A. G. Davies-Leigh (1929). A Short History of All Saints' Cathedral, Allahabad. Lucknow Diocesan Council. p. 33.