Recall the year 1770. The Old Mission Church stands as Kolkata’s oldest Protestant church. It is the second oldest church in the city.
Lord Clive saw value in Christian knowledge. He invited John Zachariah Kiernander to Kolkata. Kiernander was a Swedish Lutheran missionary from South India. He arrived to promote Christian knowledge. Kiernander began building the Old Mission Church in 1767. He finished it in 1770. Locals initially knew it as Lal Girja. This means Red Church because of its brick-red finish. Some say Lal Dighi got its name from the church’s reflection.
After St. John’s Church was built, the Old Mission Church became known as the Old Church. But the name “Old Mission Church” stuck. You can still see it on a marble plaque today.
Over time, the Old Mission Church saw changes. Kiernander’s grandson, George Henry Kiernander, added stained glass. This stained glass is still at the altar.
In the 1880s and 1890s, the church had a tall spire. It dominated Kolkata’s skyline. Tragedy struck in 1897. An earthquake damaged the spire. It had to be removed. This took away some of the church’s glory.
The Old Mission Church faced more challenges. Buildings encroached on it. The reflection on Lal Dighi disappeared. The brick-red face was plastered over.
Today, the area around the Old Mission Church is crowded. Kolkata Police vehicles often park in front. This makes it hard to see the church. But the long corridor with Doric pillars remains. The interiors are still grand.
A long corridor leads to the stained-glass altar. Plaques commemorate the church’s history. One marks 225 years. A marble bust of Bishop Thomas Dealtry is also present.
Michael Madhusudan Dutt was baptized here. He was a famous poet. He embraced Christianity at the Old Mission Church. There is no plaque for this event. But records likely exist in the church archive.
Once, the Old Mission Church had portraits of chaplains. They hung in a hall near the Parish Hall. About 25 years ago, they were removed. The Old Mission Church will celebrate its 250th year. The celebrations will end on December 20th, 2020.
Even now, the Old Mission Church stands. It stands as a reminder of Kolkata’s rich history. Its story is etched in its walls and windows. It echos in every pillar. It continues to inspire those who visit.