Christ Church, Mahabaleshwar
I recently visited Mahabaleshwar for a short 2 days trip. I had seen few pictures of this dilapidated Church on the internet (its marked as 'Protestant Church' on the Google Maps). During my visit monsoon was at its peak and the whole city was covered in thick clouds (being at a good height) and mist all the time. Which made even the day time visibility very poor. The pictures of the Church and its compound would give you an idea of how Mahabaleshwar looks like in monsoons.
History
Sadly not much is available on the internet about this Church. The Church is no more in use (as is the case with many British Churches in India). I don't know the exact reason for disuse of the Church. Whether it is because of no worshipers left to Worship or land disputes and scandals which are ever so common now in Indian Church. The Church was built in 1842 and consecrated by the first Bishop Dr. Carr in the same year. It was enlarged and extended in 1867. Its stained glass work is worth. It is early English style design.
My Visit
During my visit I took my taxi straight inside the compound. On my way out we saw an old gentleman closing the gates. Our first reaction was that of relief that we were just in time otherwise we would have been locked inside for don't know how long. But the old fellow kept on locking the gate in spite of seeing us - which alarmed me. I got out of my taxi and requested him to open the gate to which he questioned on whose permission had I entered the compound. He said that the Church has been closed for few years now and no one was allowed without permission. I apologized for the mistake and requested him to let us go as we were just tourists to his city. After which he did let us go but after a warning. I am not surprised when such compounds at premium locations are left to squatters. This is how they stop even genuine tourists. Off course i couldn't get a peak inside.
This pictures is not taken by me - its found on www.greatmirror.com. It would give you an idea of how the church looks like on a clear bright day.
The Church compound wall - sorry for the poor quality, the picture was taken from a moving taxi window.
The gate to the church compound - you have go up a muddy inclined road to reach the Church.
View of the Front
View of the Front - 1. Notice the green moss all around.
View of the Front and the right corridor. Notice the plastic sheet covering the main door. I am not sure if it is replacing the main door (more likely) or covering the main door from moisture.
The Corridor on the right.
The Left Corridor.
Beautiful arches of the front porch.
View of the Church compound from the front porch.
A blue plastic sheet pinned to the door frame - now replaces the main door I believe.
Left corridor - with a missing window covered in blue plastic.
Perhaps the Vestry and/or the sacristy.
The Dilapidated vestry and/or the Sacristy.
The Chancel from outside and the stained glass windows (as per some websites).
A cottage beside the Church perhaps that of the caretaker or the squatters.
The compound extends at the back of the Church leading perhaps to the Parsonage. Quite an eerie picture - but that is how the whole of Mahabaleshwar looks like for most part of the Monsoons.
View of the Church compound - go straight for the compound main gate.
Another view of the Church compound.
View of the front porch from the left side.
Gate to another Anglican Church (now Church of North India) in the nearby town of Panchgani. Didn't go in as could not risk being locked inside the compound again. :)
