Since it’s Good Friday, I thought of sharing with you pictures of one of the oldest churches in Delhi- St. James Church, or Skinner’s Church, built by Col James Skinner in 1836, near the Kashmiri Gate. Enjoy and have a good Good Friday 🙂
Old world charm! St James Church at Kashmiri Gate transports you to another world…It was commissioned by the British Colonel James Skinner, after he had vowed to build a church, while lying wounded in a battle field, if he survivedThis Renaissance Revival style church is on a cruciform plan, with three porticoed porches, elaborate stained glass windows and a central octagonal dome
Colonel Skinner died at Hansi in December 1841 and was first buried there, before being disinterred, and buried in Skinner’s Church in 1842. He lies in a vault of white marble immediately below the Communion TableService Timings~ Winter (October – March): 9 a.m. Summer (April – September): 8:30 a.mNorth of the church lies Skinner’s family plot, where many of his fourteen wives and many children, are buriedThe remains of one of the British Commissioners of Delhi, William Fraser, lie near the large Memorial Cross erected in memory of the victims of 1857 revolt. (You may have read extensively about him in City of Djinns)The touching epitaph written for Fraser, by dear friend Skinner: “The remains interred beneath this monument were once animated, by as brave, and sincere a soul, as was ever vouchsaved to man, by his creator! A brother in friendship, has caused it to be erected that when his own frame is dust it may remain as a memorial for those, who can participate in lamenting, the sudden and melancholy loss of one, dear to him as life. William Fraser. Died 22nd March 1835.”St James Church- a beautiful, nostalgic little church
A week before Good Friday I was on London planting up my parents grave. Seeing a chap looking at graves in the distance I was amazed when he stopped at my parents grave. Stood perfectly still and focused saying prayers and then photographed it. On speaking with him I learned he was a long lost relative and his father was my cousin, his grandfather my dad’s brother and my uncle, a chance in a million of meeting each other.
I invited him up to Cheshire in England where I live some 250 miles north for Easter. We had a great time looking at old photos and scanning our family tree which Michael has been tirelessly piecing together.
One of our ancestors Jane Heatherly married Skinner so we were aware he had built this beautiful church. Michael gave me the honour of showing me the Skinner Bible, which his grandfather Victor was in possession off, he handed it down to Michael’s father on his wedding day, and subsequently michael’s father Albert Heatherly handed it down to Michael on his wedding day! A beautiful bible measuring 18″x24″ approx.
I must visit St Jame’s Church when I visit India shortly and hope to meet up with other lost relatives. We knew Skinner had numerous wives so what a family service and meeting this would be.
Dear Christine, what an amazing chance to connect with your relatives too! My daughter and I did manage to visit this little church that my father had written about in his family history jottings for us. Despite never having visited India, the church and also Skinner’s tomb were precisely as and where my father described. We were there a week after Easter, which we had spent up in Manipur (following another ancestor’s history). It was a very moving experience. I hope that you too managed to get to the church, and to wander around the graveyard and the many Skinner burials there. I don’t suppose that you are related to the Grimwood family also?
A Date With Delhi 
Happy Good Friday. Amazing pics.
Cheers
Vishal
Thanks Vishal. Happy Easter to you, too 🙂
Great church with colorful glasses.
Thanks Rajesh. Indeed, the stained glass windows are very pretty.
Oh how lovely! The church looks so good even now. It is connected so intimately with the events of 1857. Must visit it soon.
Indeed Salaamreaders, it’s a quiet pretty little spot that can still make you happy! Hope you get a chance to visit soon 🙂
Whoa!! Fourteen wives?! Really? :O
Polygamy at its best!
Was he a Brit?
Skinner was Anglo-Indian- born of a Scottish officer of the East India Company, and an Indian princess.
ah ha! Now I understand!
Lovely stained glass! And 14 wives and many children – Phew! Very nice pics as always 🙂
Thank you! Yeah, 14 wives, gosh. Wonder if he ever got confused between them 😛
Looks very similar to the ST James Church , built by the British in Thane 1825 ,,,,Corinthian pillars and similar dome.
Oh is it…. very interesting! Thanks for reading, Joe.
What a lovely church! We are hoping to visit this when in Delhi in April, as James Skinner was related to my family.
A week before Good Friday I was on London planting up my parents grave. Seeing a chap looking at graves in the distance I was amazed when he stopped at my parents grave. Stood perfectly still and focused saying prayers and then photographed it. On speaking with him I learned he was a long lost relative and his father was my cousin, his grandfather my dad’s brother and my uncle, a chance in a million of meeting each other.
I invited him up to Cheshire in England where I live some 250 miles north for Easter. We had a great time looking at old photos and scanning our family tree which Michael has been tirelessly piecing together.
One of our ancestors Jane Heatherly married Skinner so we were aware he had built this beautiful church. Michael gave me the honour of showing me the Skinner Bible, which his grandfather Victor was in possession off, he handed it down to Michael’s father on his wedding day, and subsequently michael’s father Albert Heatherly handed it down to Michael on his wedding day! A beautiful bible measuring 18″x24″ approx.
I must visit St Jame’s Church when I visit India shortly and hope to meet up with other lost relatives. We knew Skinner had numerous wives so what a family service and meeting this would be.
Dear Christine, what an amazing chance to connect with your relatives too! My daughter and I did manage to visit this little church that my father had written about in his family history jottings for us. Despite never having visited India, the church and also Skinner’s tomb were precisely as and where my father described. We were there a week after Easter, which we had spent up in Manipur (following another ancestor’s history). It was a very moving experience. I hope that you too managed to get to the church, and to wander around the graveyard and the many Skinner burials there. I don’t suppose that you are related to the Grimwood family also?
I want to know the opening and closing timings of the church on saturday.