Two churches in city stand tall as sentinels of history

Ludhiana’s connection with Christianity dates to the British era. There are two churches which are more than 100-year-old and built around same time. One was built by the Britishers and other by the missionaries and they both stand tall after going through many testing times of the Partition and have witnessed the growth and transformation of the Christian community in the city.

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Since Britishers were away from their country and culture, these Churches played a very important and crucial role in their lives. Today on Christmas, these churches are all lit up inviting people to come and offer prayers.

Christ Church located on Fountain Chowk is said to be the oldest Anglican and first church of undivided Punjab. Built by the British, it is affiliated to the Church of England and none other than Daniel Wilson DD, Bishop of Calcutta, laid the foundation stone in 1836 and it took four years to complete it.

The foundation stone at the church sheds more light on its history and explains that it was built in the memory of Bt Captain JE Grounds, who died at Landour. In its early days, the elite British army and civil officers worshipped in this church, which has also witnessed lavish weddings, baptism as well as solemn funerals.

The original stain glass paintings of Jesus Christ, Mother Mary and St John at the altar were brought from Italy in 1830s. Its ceiling and benches, furniture, windows and doors point towards the wooden marvel and the old bell is still there atop the roof of the church.

Dr Ravinder, a resident of Civil Lines, said, “My father use to share a lot of stories about the Britishers, their lifestyle and the church was a main part of their lives. The church bell in those times was rung on four different occasions in different ways, he said.

Bell used to be rung half an hour before the prayer and then one final bell was rung, asking everyone to get together for the prayer. The bell was also rung when someone got married or passed away. The wedding bell use to be rung at high speed.

The bell was rung immediately after a death to announce the news to the community. The passing bell was rung slowly to inform the people of a person’s death.

Another church Kalvari Church on Brown Road is also among the oldest and derived its name from ‘Calvary’ referring to the hill where Jesus Christ was crucified. This church was built by American Presbyterian missionaries in 1840.

In November 1834, John Lowrie of the American Presbyterian Mission Society established the first Presbyterianism mission station in Ludhiana. To spread Christianity, the missionaries established this Church.