Armenian Church Kolkata

Kolkata, the erstwhile capital of the British Raj, is a dynamic city, with a vibrant and rich culture and heritage. A city that is composed of people belonging to many different classes and castes, following different religions, having varied faiths and belonging to diverse communities, Kolkata is secular in every sense of the term. Muslims, Hindus, Christians, Jains, Sikhs and people of many other religious callings can be found here, residing side by side. Each of these religious groups has its own specific place of worship in and around the city. Armenians, too, have their designated holy place in the city, in the form of the Armenian Church, Kolkata.

The Armenian Church, Kolkata, is located in the heart of Armenian Street, at the north-west corner of Barabazaar, near Howrah Bridge in Kolkata, was built in 1764. The oldest extant church in Kolkata, the Armenian Church, Kolkata, was built by Aga Mamed Hazaar Maliyar, on a piece of land donated by a pious Armenian named Kenanentekh Phanoosh. The architecture of the Armenian Church, Kolkata, owes to Katchik Arfiel, also of Armenian origin, who also built the residential abodes for the priests, and donated the belfry which doubles up as a clock tower.

The Armenian Church, Kolkata, profited greatly through the support of wealthy Armenians like Sir Catchik Paul Chater, which led to its interiors being decorated entirely in marble. Made of a combination of white and black marble, the Armenian Church, Kolkata, has an overhead gallery containing mural tablets commemorating departed Armenians.

The interior of the Armenian Church, Kolkata, has an altar with a cross, the gospels and 12 candlesticks symbolizing Christ and his Apostles. There is a staircase leading to an overhead gallery whose walls are full of mural tablets. Three oil paintings - 'The Holy Trinity', 'The Last Supper' and 'The Enshrouding of Our Lord' - by the English artist A E Harris also embellish the altar.

The Armenian Church, Kolkata, is the one place where the few remaining Armenians of Kolkata gather, and meet up with each other, especially at the assemblies held here. Assemblies here are, however, held only thrice a week.