Fact File
» Cost - Rs. 2.00 lakhs
» Built by - Job Charnock, the founder of Kolkata
Location
Located south to the B.B.D. Bag, St. John's Church is one of the
oldest churches of Kolkata.
About the Church
St. John's Church was built by the grave of Job Charnock, the
founder of Kolkata (Calcutta). It was constructed between 1884-1887,
popularly known as the 'stone church'.
This was constructed following the Greek architectural pattern at a
cost of Rs. 2 lakhs. The floor of the church was made with stones
obtained from Ganda. Stones were also obtained from Chunar. The
stone tower is 174 ft. high. Job Charnock was buried here. His
sculpture was made by his son-in-law Sir Charles Ayar around 1695.
The sculpture is a unique specimen of art. There is a dome with a
pitcher appended to it. There are also the tombs of the daughters of
Charnock. Au reste, there are the sculptures of British Admiral
Watson who subjugated Calcutta in 1757, Lord Brabourne, Lady Canning
and several distinguished persons.
The obelisk commemorating the black hole was moved from near the
GPO to a corner of this graveyard. It is the earliest example of
British masonry in India. Near the west wall is a replica of the
Holwell Monument - originally erected at the site of the Black Hole
of Calcutta. Inside the church there are the famous paintings of The
Last Supper by John Zoffany, a marvellous stained glass window and
memorial tablets of prominent citizens through the ages. The Sunday
service is held regularly at the church.
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