Sacred Heart Cathedral, New Delhi
Encyclopedia
The Cathedral Of The Sacred Heart is a Roman Catholic cathedral and one of the oldest church buildings in Delhi
, India. Together with the schools of St. Columbia's, and the Convent of Jesus and Mary, it occupies a total area of 14 acres near the south end of Bhai vir singh Marg Road in Connaught Place
. Christian religious services are held throughout the year.
first order, founded by St. Francis of Assisi, took the initiative to build the church, and the Archbishop of Agra in 1929 Rev. Dr. E.Vanni laid the foundation stone in 1929 and construction began in 1930. Sir Anthony de Mello
donated the main Altar
of the Church, which is made of pure marble. The Archbishop
of Agra
presented a bell, vestments and altar furniture. The project was financed by the colonial officers of the British Empire
.
, and is based on Italian architecture. A facade of white pillars supports the canopy
, and on each side of the cathedral's entrance porch
, there are circular arcaded turrets rising above the roof. The interior has a towering curved roof, polished stone floors and broad arches.
are Easter
and Christmas
. The most important of the festivities during Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth and the Christmas Vigil Service an hour before midnight Christmas Eve
. Various cultural and social programs are also organized throughout the year.
Delhi
Delhi , officially National Capital Territory of Delhi , is the largest metropolis by area and the second-largest by population in India, next to Mumbai. It is the eighth largest metropolis in the world by population with 16,753,265 inhabitants in the Territory at the 2011 Census...
, India. Together with the schools of St. Columbia's, and the Convent of Jesus and Mary, it occupies a total area of 14 acres near the south end of Bhai vir singh Marg Road in Connaught Place
Connaught Place
Connaught Place is a place name of various places in the world:* Connaught Place, New Delhi in Delhi, India* Connaught Place, Hong Kong in Central, Hong Kong* Connaught Place, London in London, England* Connaught Place, Dehradun in Dehradun, India...
. Christian religious services are held throughout the year.
History
Father Luke, a member of the FranciscanFranciscan
Most Franciscans are members of Roman Catholic religious orders founded by Saint Francis of Assisi. Besides Roman Catholic communities, there are also Old Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, ecumenical and Non-denominational Franciscan communities....
first order, founded by St. Francis of Assisi, took the initiative to build the church, and the Archbishop of Agra in 1929 Rev. Dr. E.Vanni laid the foundation stone in 1929 and construction began in 1930. Sir Anthony de Mello
Anthony de Mello
Anthony de Mello was a Jesuit priest and psychotherapist who became widely known for his books on spirituality. An internationally acclaimed spiritual guide, writer and public speaker, de Mello hosted many spiritual conferences...
donated the main Altar
Altar
An altar is any structure upon which offerings such as sacrifices are made for religious purposes. Altars are usually found at shrines, and they can be located in temples, churches and other places of worship...
of the Church, which is made of pure marble. The Archbishop
Archbishop
An archbishop is a bishop of higher rank, but not of higher sacramental order above that of the three orders of deacon, priest , and bishop...
of Agra
Agra
Agra a.k.a. Akbarabad is a city on the banks of the river Yamuna in the northern state of Uttar Pradesh, India, west of state capital, Lucknow and south from national capital New Delhi. With a population of 1,686,976 , it is one of the most populous cities in Uttar Pradesh and the 19th most...
presented a bell, vestments and altar furniture. The project was financed by the colonial officers of the British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
.
Architecture
The church building was designed by British architect Henry MeddHenry Medd
Henry Alexander Nesbitt Medd , was a British-born architect, whose career was made in India. He is most known for being in the team of architects, team lead by Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker, which designed the new capital of India, New Delhi .Post inauguration of New Delhi, when most of...
, and is based on Italian architecture. A facade of white pillars supports the canopy
Canopy (building)
A canopy is an overhead roof or else a structure over which a fabric or metal covering is attached, able to provide shade or shelter. A canopy can also be a tent, generally without a floor....
, and on each side of the cathedral's entrance porch
Porch
A porch is external to the walls of the main building proper, but may be enclosed by screen, latticework, broad windows, or other light frame walls extending from the main structure.There are various styles of porches, all of which depend on the architectural tradition of its location...
, there are circular arcaded turrets rising above the roof. The interior has a towering curved roof, polished stone floors and broad arches.
Services & Celebration
The Cathedral organizes functions on certain days of the year. Prayers are held in the morning and evening every day. The major ceremonies held at the CathedralCathedral
A cathedral is a Christian church that contains the seat of a bishop...
are Easter
Easter
Easter is the central feast in the Christian liturgical year. According to the Canonical gospels, Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after his crucifixion. His resurrection is celebrated on Easter Day or Easter Sunday...
and Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
. The most important of the festivities during Christmas is the Feast of the Holy Family of Nazareth and the Christmas Vigil Service an hour before midnight Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve refers to the evening or entire day preceding Christmas Day, a widely celebrated festival commemorating the birth of Jesus of Nazareth that takes place on December 25...
. Various cultural and social programs are also organized throughout the year.
Churches in Delhi
- Central Baptist Church (Delhi)Central Baptist Church (Delhi)Central Baptist Church is located on the main Chandni Chowk Road, just opposite Gurdwara Sisganj and before the Fountain Chowk in Delhi, India. It is probably the oldest Christian mission in the whole of the northern Indian region...
- Cathedral Church of the RedemptionCathedral Church of the RedemptionCathedral Church of the Redemption is Amongst beautiful and magnificent Churches in India, Church is located east of Parliament House in New Delhi and Rashtrapati Bhavan which was used by then British Viceroy. The Church resembles the shape of a Birthday cake with a candle placed on top...
- St. James' Church, DelhiSt. James' Church, DelhiSt. James' is an Anglican church in Delhi, India, built in 1836 by Colonel James Skinner. It is one of the oldest churches in the city, and part of the Church of North India Diocese of Delhi ....
- St. Stephen's Church, DelhiSt. Stephen's Church, DelhiSt. Stephen Church is located on Church Mission Road in Delhi. The church was built in the year 1862, by the Anglican Missionary and DPW Engineers in the style of Italian Gothic architecture. It is part of Church of North India Diocese of Delhi....