St. James' Church, Delhi

St. James' Church, or Skinner's Church, Kashmiri Gate, Delhi

St. James' Church, Delhi, also known as Skinner's Church, built in 1836 by Colonel James Skinner, is one of the oldest churches in Delhi , and part of the Diocese of Delhi .

Situated near Kashmiri Gate, it is located at the intersection of Church Road and Lothian Road. It was the church the Viceroy of India, attended until the Cathedral Church of the Redemption, near Gurudwara Rakab Ganj, was built in 1931 , only other church of that era, the St. Stephen's Church, at Fatehpuri, Delhi was built in 1867 . Behind the church is bungalow of British Commissioners of Delhi, William Frazer, who is also buried in the church graveyard

History

Col. James Skinner CB (1778–1841)

Saint James Church, entrance

The church was commissioned by Colonel James Skinner (1778-1841), after he had vowed to build a church, while lying wounded in a battle field, if he survived.

Subsequently, he build at his own expense of 95,000 Rupees, and designed by Major Robert Smith. The construction started in 1826, and was completed in 1836. The basic design of the Renaissance style church is to a cruciform plan (Greek Cross), with three porticoed porches, elaborate stained glass windows and a central octagonal dome is similar to a dome of Florence Cathedral in Florence, Italy ^[6][7]. It was consecrated on 21 November 1836 by the Right Reverend Daniel Wilson D.D. the Bishop of Calcutta .

The a copper ball and cross on the top, which are said to be replica of a church in Venice, were damaged during 1857 revolt, and was later replaced . A special service was held in 2003, to commemorate 200 years of Skinner's Horse, the cavalry regiment raised by Skinner in 1803 . Amongst those present were Margaret Skinner, great great grand-daughter-in-law of Skinner, Admiral Sushil Kumar, retired Chief of Naval Staff, Col. Douglas Gray, now over 90-years-old, who commanded Skinner's Horse from 1935 to 1947, and several former British officers .

Graves at St. James' Church

The church is most known for two important graves on that of Colonel James Skinner, and another belonging to one of the British Commissioners of Delhi, William Frazer near the large Memorial Cross erected in memory of the victims of 1857 revolt. At the rear, lies the tomb of Thomas Metcalfe (1795–1853), who lived in Delhi for forty years (1813 to 1853), during which time he served as Agent to Governor General of India and a Commissioner, within his family plot.

Skinner died at Hansi on 4 December 1841 at the age of 64, and was first buried there, later he was disinterred, and buried in Skinner's Church on January 19, 1842 in a vault of white marble immediately below the Communion Table . North of the church lies the family plot, Skinner family, where many of his fourteen wives and many children, are buried, the burial in this place was that of a lady who died in England, but wished that her ashes be interred here .

Gallery

St. James' Church, Delhi, in 'Reminiscences of Imperial Delhi’, an album consisting of 89 folios containing approximately 130 paintings of views of the Mughal and pre-Mughal monuments of Delhi, by Sir Thomas Metcalfe, dating 1843.

“Forty Days were fulfilled for him.” Gen. L, 3; decorations (his helmet and sabre) and motto Utrinque Paratus ("Ready for Anything"), covering the tomb of Col. James Skinner, dating 1843.

St. James' Church, Delhi, 1862, showing the large Memorial Cross, erected in the memories of victims of the 1857 revolt