St. John's Church

Sitting in the midst of wilderness, is a structure that has battled with the forces of time and nature. Although woebegone, it has survived.

St. John's Church has been standing upright for more than one and a half centuries, yet the structure never fails to mesmerize. The location of the church presents  a stark contrast from the tumultuous streets of Mcleodganj. It proves to be an escape from the monotonous and clamouring routine of everyday life and offers a gateway to a quiet and serene world.

The church appears to be an amalgam of nature and the surroundings. It seems as if the church has always been a part of the landscape. How the church camouflages itself within the realm of nature is a proof of unspoken beauty. Maintaining a symbiotic relationship with the nature and having a history enormously vast and vibrant, and stories so compelling and gripping, this place seems to delve in to the deepest corners of the heart and resides there.

The patiently waiting church, certainly has many tales to tell. The bell of the church itself has had its own fair share of history and intriguing incidents. The original bell of the church was gravely damaged during the devastating earthquake of 1905, as a consequence of which, a new bell was forged in 1915 in the Great Britain. After its lofty manufacture and shipment from halfway around the world, the bell posed yet another problem. The weight of the bell would not allow it to be raised up to the height of the bell tower. But the bell had to be hung somewhere! It was then decided to hang the bell within the church grounds. One fine evening, a band of mischievous minds decided to steal that very bell. The geniuses did not account for the weight of the mighty bell. Consequentially, their operation failed. The bell still sits peacefully, waiting to be rung again.

This is just a spoonful of history and culture that the church is trying to reflect. Using hand cut granite stone, which is locally available in abundance, it acknowledges its surroundings, inducing a vernacular emotion.

The church has been bruised and battered over time, yet it stands tall and majestic. Like old wine, St. John's church has been getting better with time. A marvel to be remembered for ages, a feast for the eyes and tranquillity for the heart.