St. John's Church, Secunderabad
Encyclopedia
The Church of St. John the Baptist was consecrated and dedicated in 1813. It is the oldest church in the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad
. Popularly known simply as St. John’s, the church initially served the spiritual needs of the British Forces stationed at Lancer’s Line, Secunderabad
but currently serves a large cosmopolitan congregation of Anglicans in the city. Rev. J. Brachenbury was the first Chaplain.
It was only in 1914 that electric lighting was installed. However the pankahs made way for the domes only in 1918 after the war. In 1914 the aisles and open spaces were tiled with aesthetically patterned minton tiles. Marble steps were laid from the chancel to the sanctuary. New telescopic brass altar rails were erected. One tends to overlook, at the foot of the Altar, near the brass rail, three circular pieces of art floor that covers the entire floor with minton tiles of the Pascal Lamp and the symbols Alpha and Omega on either side.
The Tracker Action Great Organ was built with voluntary contributions from the members of the Church. Additional pipes were added by different families as a thanksgiving. The Lieblick Gedackt Stop and the Gamba Stop and twelve pipes were added to the Great Organ in 1916. The Great Organ has a simple organ case correct in form, contour and principles. This conceals the pipe work and keeps out the damp and dust. Carvings and shades relieve the monotony.
Mr. T.V. Comfort, Member of the Royal School of Church Music and organist and Music co-ordinator for over six decades at the church installed a third manual.
Thursday:
Secunderabad
Secunderabad popularly known as the twin city of Hyderabad is located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh north of Hyderabad. Named after Sikandar Jah, the third Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, Secunderabad was founded in 1806 AD as a British cantonment...
. Popularly known simply as St. John’s, the church initially served the spiritual needs of the British Forces stationed at Lancer’s Line, Secunderabad
Secunderabad
Secunderabad popularly known as the twin city of Hyderabad is located in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh north of Hyderabad. Named after Sikandar Jah, the third Nizam of the Asaf Jahi dynasty, Secunderabad was founded in 1806 AD as a British cantonment...
but currently serves a large cosmopolitan congregation of Anglicans in the city. Rev. J. Brachenbury was the first Chaplain.
History
Military Officers, non-commissioned Officers, soldiers of the British Army, worshiped at St. John’s Church, as also the railway officers of the Nizam Warranteed State Railway. Indian Christians along with a few British civilians were accommodated in the South wing of the Church. The Military Engineering Service attended to the maintenance of St. John’s church.Architecture
St. Johns Church is cruciform in shape. The Rangoon Teak wooden ceiling is supported by graceful columns designed according to a strict rule and order known as the Tuscan order, which is a simplified version of the Doric order.It was only in 1914 that electric lighting was installed. However the pankahs made way for the domes only in 1918 after the war. In 1914 the aisles and open spaces were tiled with aesthetically patterned minton tiles. Marble steps were laid from the chancel to the sanctuary. New telescopic brass altar rails were erected. One tends to overlook, at the foot of the Altar, near the brass rail, three circular pieces of art floor that covers the entire floor with minton tiles of the Pascal Lamp and the symbols Alpha and Omega on either side.
Organ
The Military Band that was in attendance at the Parade Services on Sundays, had the effect of drowning the voices, resulting in the congregation having no desire to sing against the band. The Organ as an accompaniment to the Parade Services resulted in a real hearty response in the singing. Thus the Pipe Organ became an integral part of St. John’s Church.The Tracker Action Great Organ was built with voluntary contributions from the members of the Church. Additional pipes were added by different families as a thanksgiving. The Lieblick Gedackt Stop and the Gamba Stop and twelve pipes were added to the Great Organ in 1916. The Great Organ has a simple organ case correct in form, contour and principles. This conceals the pipe work and keeps out the damp and dust. Carvings and shades relieve the monotony.
Mr. T.V. Comfort, Member of the Royal School of Church Music and organist and Music co-ordinator for over six decades at the church installed a third manual.
Worship Services
Sunday:- Holy Communion Service - 8:30 am
- Evensong - 6:30 pm
Thursday:
- Holy Communion Service - 7:30 am
See Also
- List of churches in Secunderabad and Hyderabad
- St. Mary's Church, SecunderabadSt. Mary's Church, SecunderabadSt. Mary's Church is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the city of Secunderabad, India. It was formerly the Cathedral of the Archdiocese of Hyderabad. It is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. Adjacent to the church is the convent of St. Ann's which runs the locally famous St. Ann's High...
- Church of South IndiaChurch of South IndiaThe Church of South India is the successor of the Church of England in India. It came into being in 1947 as a union of Anglican and Protestant churches in South India. With a membership of over 3.8 million, it is India's second largest Christian church after the Roman Catholic Church in India...