112 years old St Mary’s Church in Lansdowne that cherishes pre independent India’s nostalgic memories

Taking out time from the busy schedule and visiting unique hill stations with friends is always soothing to mind and satisfying to oneself. Thanks to friends who invite me n accord good company. I got the privilege opportunity of visiting Lansdowne on number of ocassions in LOSA annual meetings n with friends but always found it different and refreshing on all ocassions.

A headquarter of prestigious Garhwal Rifled founded in 1885 by the British on the request of the then Laat Saheb, the title of honour accorded to Late Bhal bhadra Singh, Lansdowne is a mesmerising hill station with serene natural beauty around with myriad green pine n oak trees fresh n oxygenated air, about 1906 metres above sea level hardly 7 hours travel from Delhi.

A small township with hustle n bustle, a neat n clean well maintained Cantt Area with the Brigadier being the the first citizen this headquarter of Garhwal Rifles, a symbol of valour n sacrifices, is a hill station worth appreciating.

I happened to visit it for the fourth time on 3rd March, 1919. After visiting the Bhula Tal Lake n the unique Tip in Top from where you can view the vast Himalayan ranges a British period Church here is of special significance where the Englishmen n their families worshiped Mother Mary till 1947 n solemnised few English marriages.

The Church is a marvel with its every stone n unique architecture still intact despite its 112 year old construction. The construction of this St. Mary Church began in 1895 by Leuitenent AHB Hume of Royal Engineers n was completed in 1896.

The protestant Church was in the upper Mall through private subscription and government grant obviously the Britishers. The requisite amount of subscription was obtained mainly through the efforts of Mrs Rundell wife of the then captain Frank Montague Rundell of the 39th ( The Garhwal) Regiment of Bengal infantary.

During the pre independent era before 1947, a Church Committee was formed n regular Church services were were held. Interestingly, during 1927, the reverend E Souther , acting Chaplin of Roorkee ised to visit Lansdowne, Garhwal, and services were held on Sundays.

Special services were also held on Good Friday n Easter Sundays. In 1938, Captain Roger Malcom Durant Willcocks married miss Belty Foot at the St Maru’s Church during peak winters.

On June 14 1936, the Bishop of Lucknow unweiled a tablet in St Mary’s Church in the memory of late Major Batten 2/ 3, (Queen Alexandra’s own) Gurkha Rifles. On 5th October, 1940 acting captain L R Binham of second Battalion The Garhwal Rifles married Miss Marcia Mac Donald at this St Mary’s Church in the presence of limited number of friends n relatives in immaculate while tradition christian attire.

This magnificient marvel of architecture and tremendous faith of the then British Christians fell into diuse after 1947 when the British left India for England.

The building ( Church) has now been testored by the Garhwal Rifle Regimental Centre with the additional display of original pre independence black n white photographs and audio visual presentation of regimental vedios.

There few original framed pictures of the then British officers with the founder of the Garhwal Rifled Balbhadra Singh Negi, the then Laat Sahab the prestigious title bestowed on him bt the then Viceroy, pictures of Garhwal Rifle soldiers ( Garhwalies) in proper uniforms, the marrige pictures of the then British officers conducted in this church n other artifacts.

It’s a unique piece of old architecture that takes you back to the memories of the pre independent era of Lansdowne. Lansedown is not only a unique hill station but is a treasure house of history of Garhwal Rifles n the British officers who formed it. I would suggest to visit this place at lease for once.