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Christ Church — Kasauli’s landmark of British era

In the nineteenth century, the little town of Kasauli was getting under way.

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Raaja Bhasin

In the nineteenth century, the little town of Kasauli was getting under way. Building works included excavations, retaining walls, paths, barracks and houses. The Viceroy of India, Sir John Lawrence, who was known for his directness, visited the neo-Gothic church that was under construction and where a great deal of money had been spent. In his opinion, a substantial amount had been wasted on the steeples. He was asked to subscribe to it, while there were still no pews. As blunt as ever, he remarked: “You might as well ask me to subscribe to get a man a hat when he has no breeches”. History does not record if the Viceroy relented and donated some money, but the structure was finally built, partly by donations from the residents of Kasauli and partly by a grant made by the British East India Company. 

Complete with arches and buttresses, the church went on to become Kasauli’s landmark and with both ‘hat and trousers’ — if a limited congregation — this still stands tall as you enter the town. This year, October 26 marked the 175th year of setting the foundation stone. Bishop Wilson of Calcutta (Kolkata) had done this when he visited Kasauli en route to Shimla.  The church was opened for divine service on July 24, 1853, by the Chaplain Thomas John Edward Steel MA, St. John’s College, Cambridge, at Evensong. The church was consecrated on January 8, 1857, by the Authority of the Bishop of Calcutta. 

Built of dressed sandstone, the church has a cruciform floor plan. The fine-stained glass windows above the high altar depict the Christ on the cross. This central window is flanked by those depicting Joseph and Mary. A side altar has windows with Saint Barnabas and Saint Francis of Assisi. The latter is considered to be the patron saint of animals and the natural environment; not unexpectedly, the window here depicts him with doves at his feet.  

The pillars in the interior are of finely-chiselled stone and the pews are of solid wood, probably Burma teak. Natural light flows in through the lancet windows that flank the sides. There are several memorial plaques in the church and one that has a bearing on the location of the town amidst the forest fire-prone pines reads: 

“Selby Lorimer Cassel Lane and Richard Laurence Arundel Reed. To the Glory of God and in cherished memory of Selby Lorimer Cassel Lane. Born 10th October, 1901. Died 7th June, 1935. And Richard Laurence Arundel Reed. Born 8th May, 1904. Died 24th June, 1935. Ist Bn. the 22nd (Cheshire) Regiment who gave their lives fighting a forest fire, which on 7th June threatened to destroy Kasauli. This memorial is erected by Marion, wife of Captain Lane, 

By Percy Dawson Reed, father of Captain Reed.

A narrow staircase leads to the church’s belfry. This houses a fine clock which had stopped working sometime back. As a result of various initiatives, this was put back in order in 2015 — and its cogs and gears are functional again. With rocky soil in some portions, the churchyard has an area of just under an acre. The structure is surrounded by deodar and horse-chestnut trees and a few flowerbeds. A large underground tank collects rainwater, which is used for gardening. By the side of the porch is a sundial. 

Broken stone work, seepage

This church has seen the better part of two centuries come and go and as may be expected, some things require repair and restoration. There is broken and dismantled stonework in various sections mostly on the roof. The walls have overgrowth and there is seepage in certain places — and a section of the stained glass windows is broken. The furniture — pews, stools and pianoforte —could do with repairs. Fortunately, however, no serious structural issues are apparent. 

Today, this stately structure, which was the church of the Anglican Communion, is now under the Church of North India and is a draw for both worshippers and visitors alike. 

(The writer is an author, historian and journalist)

 
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