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St. James Church |
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| Located at the intersection of Church Road and
Lothian Road, St. James Church was built by the famous Colonel
James Skinner in a Greek cross design. Consecrated in 1836,
the beautiful church was said to be an imitation of St Paul's
Cathedral in London but according to Percival Spear the church
was actually modeled on a church in Venice. With its beautiful
gardens and peaceful atmosphere, the church was once situated
in Delhi's best European shopping area. The church is designed
in a cruciform plan with the altar facing towards the eastern
direction and entrance towards the western direction. A ball
and a cross surmount the dome of the church. The original ball
and the cross were damaged during the 1857 fighting and were
later replaced by their replicas. The center of the church is
octagon in shape with circular columns supporting the dome and
the main seating arrangement being in the central portion of
the dome. |
| In the early 19th century, James Skinner who
fought for Marathas after being declined an entry into British
army due to his mixed blood was once badly wounded in a war.
He was left on the battlefield and the possibility of his survival
was very bleak. He prayed to God and vowed that if he escaped
the assault of death, he would build a church to commemorate
his faith in God. Thus he built the St James Church. Later,
Skinner raised a cavalry regiment known as Skinner's Horse or
the Yellow Boys and won many battles. Known for his courage
in battle, his regiment was finally made the part of the regular
army and he was made a Lieutenant Colonel. He died in mid 19th
century but a regiment of the same name still serves the Indian
Army. |
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| The grave of James Skinner is located in the
complex of St James Church just in front of the altar. To the
north of the church lie the graves of Skinner's family. Apart
from the several graves of victims of 1857 war, the God's acre
contains the grave of one of the finest British Commissioners
of Delhi, William Fraser near the large Memorial Cross erected
in memory of the victims. |
| A brochure is available about the church and
the life of James Skinner at nominal rate. |
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