| St. John's Church | |
| Saint John the Baptist Church | |
|---|---|
| Location | Meerut |
| Country | India |
| Denomination | Church of North India |
| Membership | 100 |
| Weekly attendance | 50 |
| Website | http://www.stjohnschurchmeerut.org |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Saint John the Baptist Garrison Church |
| Founded | 1819 |
| Founder(s) | Rev. Henry Fischer |
| Dedication | Rt. Rev. Reginald Heber |
| Consecrated | 1821 |
| Architecture | |
| Status | Functional |
| Functional status | Sunday morning service |
| Heritage designation | Historical building |
| Architect(s) | Captain George Huchinson |
| Completed | 1819 |
| Specifications | |
| Capacity | 3000 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Agra |
| Clergy | |
| Bishop(s) | Rt. Rev. S. R. Cutting |
| Priest(s) | Rev. Peter Baldev |
| Laity | |
| Reader | Mr. Rajiv Titus |
The Saint John the Baptist, or John's Church, is a Church of North India denomination church in Meerut, India. The Church was built from 1819 to 1821 and is the oldest Church in North India. Near to this church lies the St. John's Church cemetery. The grounds contain trees and greenery.
Unity, Witness and Service at the entrance reminds congregation and guests of the motto of this Church.
Contents |
It was founded by the British Army Chaplain Rev. Henry Fischer in Meerut, India, in 1819 as a garrison church.
St. John's Church is the oldest Church in the northern half of India. It still has a huge but non functional pipe organ, that used manually operated bellows to supply the organ with air. Wooden pews with kneelers, brass eagle lectern, marble baptistery and stained glass windows all have stood the test of time, used and admired by many over the previous two centuries that worshiped at or visited St. John's.
St. John's Church has a Medieval English Architecture style, with an upper seating area (balcony) that is no longer used. Almost 200 years old, renovations have changed little to the way this Church may have looked in the 1800s.
Sunday Service is in the morning in English and usually includes Holy Communion if the Priest is available. Holy Communion is offered to baptized Christians of all major denominations and if you are visiting please inquire with the clergy or one of the lay ministers beforehand. St. John's Church follows the Anglican rite and Book of Common Prayer liturgical style. Approximate Church Service timings are 8:30 am summer, 9:30 am winters and 10:00 am on Easter, Christmas and New Year. Visitors are always welcomed.
Most of the parishioners of St. John's Church are from Meerut, and some travel more than 50 miles to attend major services or events. Members of the congregation span almost four generations and the elders have kept alive some of the traditions of a different era. Every year during Christmas the Parish Club comes alive and with the School organizes various functions and plays both for the congregation and guests.
Some of the graves are more than a century old and contain engraved headstones, carved pillars and some very elegant tombs bordering on antiquity. The older ones in the graveyard are falling apart due to weathering, and a curious visitor may have to navigate through some unfriendly underbrush and rough terrain.
A Sr. Secondary School following the Indian C.B.S.E. curriculum under the same diocese as the Church. It is located at 117 Bank Street a few kilometers from St. John's Church.