Historic church keeps up with times for over a century

The Cathedral Church of the Resurrection is located on the historic Mall Road of Lahore.

Its construction was completed on January 25, 1887, under the supervision of British architect J. Alderd Scott. The exterior of the building was made of red brick while altars and pillars are made of gray stone.

There are two high minarets on both sides of the entrance to the building. A clock is installed in the minaret toward the north. This clock, made in 1862, is still trying to keep pace with the times. Six bells sent by the Queen of Britain are installed in the southern minaret.

According to the church administration, there should have been seven bells but due to lack of funds, a bell could not be purchased. The overall design of the church building is cross-shaped. The Dean of Cathedral Pastor Shahid Meraj said that the interior of the church is a beautiful portion where baptism is performed. “Baptism is obligatory for everyone who becomes a part of the church and it is interpreted as the fountain of life and purity.”

In the church, 800 people can worship at a time, he added. According to the pastor, the windows of the church are decorated with mirrored glass. “These gem-like mirrors were made by Unard Walker. The bright light of the sun passes through these mirrors and illuminates the place of worship in the form of dim rays.”

The dean of the cathedral said that the church also has a Taxila cross which proves that Christianity in this region did not begin with the arrival of the British or other European nations, but Christian communities existed in these areas centuries ago. “Another feature of this cathedral is the pipe organs which were used during church services but are no longer useful.”

The pastor further said that the church was also famous due to the fact that a rooster model was installed on the rooftop to show the direction of the wind. “It was taken down after the Quetta earthquake in 1935.”

There are four oldest churches in Lahore, one of which is the Cathedral Church Mall Road. Anarkali had the first regular church in Lahore where now there are various offices, including that of the Punjab chief secretary.

The place was called Saint James Church and the first cross of the city was installed there, which is now installed at the Cathedral Church.

The pastor explained that the foundation of Lahore Cathedral was laid by Bishop Thomas Walpey French at the time of construction of the Mall Road and it was completed in 1887 for which the British governor gave a grant of Rs50,000. “Moreover, 50,000 pounds of donations were also collected.”

It was designed by Arnold Scort, a prominent architect of his time. After his death, his son took charge for completing the church.

The cathedral building is 225 feet long and 152 feet wide. Its minaret-like rooms are 65 feet high. The church is slightly higher than Mall Road. A marble piece was donated by Lord Baden-Powell, founder of the Scouting Movement.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 21^st, 2020.