Jump to content

Cantonment Church Tower

Coordinates: 29°42′22″N 76°59′14″E / 29.7062°N 76.9873°E / 29.7062; 76.9873
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Cantonment Church Tower
Cantonment Church Tower, in 2012
Map
29°42′22″N 76°59′14″E / 29.7062°N 76.9873°E / 29.7062; 76.9873
AddressG.T. Road, Karnal, Haryana -132001
CountryIndia
Previous denominationAnglican
History
Former namesSt. James' Church
Status
Founded1806 (Church)
DedicationJames, brother of Jesus
Architecture
Functional status
  • Abandoned (church)
  • Religious shrine
Heritage designationIndian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage
Architectural typeChurch (former)
Years built1806 – 1925
Closed1841 (Church)
Demolished1841 (Church)
Specifications
Spire height35 metres (115 ft)

The Cantonment Church Tower is a church tower that was formerly part of St. James' Church, a former Anglican church, located in Karnal city of Haryana, India.

The 35-metre (115 ft) tower was built as an addition to the former church that was founded in 1806, and is now an historical religious shrine in Karnal. The tower stands near National Highway 1 of India and is listed by the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage as an historical monument. The Cantonment Church Tower is administered by Archaeological Survey of India and the All India Christian Council.

History

[edit]

With the establishment of British cantonment at Karnal, St. James' Church was constructed in 1806 by the British. In 1841, when the cantonment was shifted to Ambala, the church was dismantled, but the tower was allowed to stay as it had been built out of the subscriptions of the public who objected to its dismantlement.[1] It was built to meet the challenge of rising power of the Sikh military in the region.[2]

Architecture

[edit]

The tower has four storeys and on the first storey, Etruscan pilaster has been used. The top storey has a semi-circular dome and the complete exterior is plastered with lime and has fine panelling work with different designs and patterns. The tower is surmounted by an ornamental cross[3] and can be seen from a distance of 7 kilometres (4.3 mi).[4]

Graveyard

[edit]

A graveyard of soldiers is located on the left side of the Cantonment Church Tower and on the right side is a graveyard of Indian Christians.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Karnal Cantonment Church Tower, Karnal".
  2. ^ "Karnal Cantonment Church Tower, Karnal". www.nativeplanet.com. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  3. ^ "Cantonment Church Tower | Places of Interest | Karnal". destination. Retrieved 18 January 2019.
  4. ^ "Cantonment Church Tower – Karnal Tourist Guide". touristplaces.org. Retrieved 18 January 2019.