 |
| Anglican Church at Pachmarhi en.wikipedia.org |
oo
 |
| Anglican Church at Pachmarhi outlookindia.com |
Above image: Christ church, Pachmarhi, MP, Often referred to as protestant church. It is believed to have been built in the memory of Frankwood Morus, a general in the East Bengal Infantry. The cross-shaped structure is made entirely of unpolished sandstone with beautiful arched windows and a pyramid- shaped tower on the northeastern side. Equally impressive is the cross atop the pointed spire. It is a functional church and the mass is held on Sundays …….
Pachmarhi, a picturesque famous hill station in Narmadapuram district of Madhya Pradesh state of central India is a famous tourist destination and in the early 1900s it served as the summer capital for the Central Provinces, people taking refuge in the cool and serene hills from the scorching summer season from the plains. From 1947 till 1967 it continued to be the summer capital of the central region. .Situated at a height of 1067 m in a valley of the Satpura Range (highest point is Dhupgarh), it is a part of Satpura Biosphere Reserve. Also included are Satpura Tiger Reserve, Satpura National Park,
In view of its biodiversity and the thick wooded areas around with many rare varieties of plants UNESCO in May 2009 included Pachmarhi park to its list of Biosphere Reserves. prior to the advent of the British this region was under the Gond kingdom ruled by Gond Bhagvat Singh. During the first war of independence in 1857 against the British atrocities against the natives, the British were keen to control Jhansi. Leading the army to capture Tatya Tope it was Captain James Forsyth recognized the plateau in the Pachmarhi region. Once the rebellion was over, this place was developed into a hill station and sanatorium for the British soldiers as the hill resort offered mild and congenial climate. Since then Pachmarhi Cantonment has been popular. Today it has become a famous Idyllic summer retreat for the people who want to be away from the din in the plains.
The Christ Church, made of red sandstone and located 1 km from the Pachmarhi bus station, was built by the British in the year 1875 to serve the Europeans – mostly soldiers living there. What is unique about this church in a remote part of the central provinces is it architecture does not stick to one particular European style. It is a careful blend of Irish, French and British architectural features.
 |
| Christ church gothic window, Pachmarhi outlookindia.com |
 |
| arched entrance, gothic window Christ church, pachmarhi tripadvisor.com |
 |
| stained glasses, Christ church, pachmari tripadvisor.com |
The imported Belgium stained glasses (there are 12 panes adorning the walls and altar presenting exquisite depictions of Christ’s last journey), the hemispherical dome in the central part of the church and the nave with no support in the form of pillars, the tall tower with equally tall pointed spire. gothic styled windows and arches are some of the essential features that show dominance of British design style. It is partially similar to St. Thomas’s church (built in 1706), Bradwell on Sea. Essex, England – one of the oldest chapels in England which has a brick-walled tower. Particularly, the high ceiling with slanting tiled roof and the tower without a spire bear close resemblance. Christ church has a small tiled entry porch.
 |
| Christ church made of sandstone Pachmarhi outlookindia.com |
 |
| Christ church, pachmarhi .tripadvisor.com |
 |
| Arcaded interior, Christ church, pachmarhi tripadvisor.com |
No doubt this old church on the hill maintains the old world charm despite its age and still stands as a legacy of the British rule including the reign of the English company. The church opens only on Sunday morning for prayer and mass visit.
https://www.tripinvites.com/places/pachmarhi/christ-church/
https://www.mptourism.com/pachmarhi-british-architecture-church.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bradwell-on-Sea
on it. The nave of the church has been constructed without a single pillar for additional support. Located on a gentle mount that is speckled with large trees, the surroundings give this edifice a noticeably peaceful character.
