Pune, previously known as Poona, Maharashtra has the unique distinction of having more than 70 churches because of its close proximity with Mumbai (Bombay), which was once the capital of Bombay Presidency. Another factor was there was a large presence of British military troops stationed in Pune.
St. Patrick's cathedral designed in impressive Gothic style was built 1850 primarily for the purpose of serving a large community of Irish Catholic soldiers and others settled in Wanowrie, on the outskirts of Pune during the British East India company rule. It is an important landmark in the city of Pune located near the Empress Garden.
The famous church had a humble beginning and the earlier mass for the British troops was held for the troops in a single room chapel at the end of Right Flank Lines in Wanowrie. As the place of worship was a small one and cramped, the church authorities felt that they needed a new and more spacious church to carry on the church services comfortably. Moreover, the population of Christians in that area grew in size as time went by. Bishop Athanasius Hartmann, O.C., the Apostolic Vicar of Bombay and Poona also realized the need to have a better place of worship and was in agreement with the urgent requirement of the local Christian community. He was instrumental in bringing in James Carry, an Irish Diocesan Priest from the Madras Mission as a Chaplain in Poona in 1849. Fr. Carry immediately got down to the task and drew up plans to erect a new chapel.
The chapel was built on the land specifically allotted by the government at the request of the bishop and the expenses were borne by public subscription and by the soldiers, who contributed a month's salary. The first mass was celebrated on December 8,1850 in the new chapel which is now known as St. Patrick's Cathedral. Fr. Carry completed the south (Wanowrie) side of the Church, with its pinnacled buttresses. The north side (Ghorpuri) was completed later by Fr. Esseiva, S.J. With the creation of the Diocese of Poona in 1886, Bernard Beider Linden, S.J. became the first Bishop. Soon in 1887, St. Patrick's Church became St. Patrick's Cathedral
On account of vagaries of climate and time, the roof of the historical Cathedral collapsed on July 15, 1984. This time, under the expert guidance of famous Indian Architect and town planner Charles Mark Correa (September 1930 – June 2015), the Cathedral was rebuilt with a new curved vault roof and better appearance, replacing old pointed roof. The construction costs, etc were met with donations from benefactors and the re-dedication of St. Patrick's Cathedral was held on October 22, 1987.
During 2009 to 2010, as the old cathedral needed additional major repairs and decorations, they were carried out by the church authorities. Three important additions are worthy of mention A new backdrop to the sanctuary wall with a mosaic of the Risen Christ, 16 unique Stained Glass panels of the life of Jesus and a skylight above the altar depicting the Holy Spirit in stained glass. These newly added features enhanced the beauty and style of this unique church, a reminder of past colonial era and the vestige of British legacy.
Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Patrick%27s_Cathedral,_Poona
St. Patrick's cathedral designed in impressive Gothic style was built 1850 primarily for the purpose of serving a large community of Irish Catholic soldiers and others settled in Wanowrie, on the outskirts of Pune during the British East India company rule. It is an important landmark in the city of Pune located near the Empress Garden.
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| St. Patrick's Cathedral,Poona. en.wikipedia.org. |
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| St. Patrick's Cathedral Pune |.www.flickr.com |
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| St. Patrick's Cathedral,Poona.www.flickr.com |
The chapel was built on the land specifically allotted by the government at the request of the bishop and the expenses were borne by public subscription and by the soldiers, who contributed a month's salary. The first mass was celebrated on December 8,1850 in the new chapel which is now known as St. Patrick's Cathedral. Fr. Carry completed the south (Wanowrie) side of the Church, with its pinnacled buttresses. The north side (Ghorpuri) was completed later by Fr. Esseiva, S.J. With the creation of the Diocese of Poona in 1886, Bernard Beider Linden, S.J. became the first Bishop. Soon in 1887, St. Patrick's Church became St. Patrick's Cathedral
On account of vagaries of climate and time, the roof of the historical Cathedral collapsed on July 15, 1984. This time, under the expert guidance of famous Indian Architect and town planner Charles Mark Correa (September 1930 – June 2015), the Cathedral was rebuilt with a new curved vault roof and better appearance, replacing old pointed roof. The construction costs, etc were met with donations from benefactors and the re-dedication of St. Patrick's Cathedral was held on October 22, 1987.
During 2009 to 2010, as the old cathedral needed additional major repairs and decorations, they were carried out by the church authorities. Three important additions are worthy of mention A new backdrop to the sanctuary wall with a mosaic of the Risen Christ, 16 unique Stained Glass panels of the life of Jesus and a skylight above the altar depicting the Holy Spirit in stained glass. These newly added features enhanced the beauty and style of this unique church, a reminder of past colonial era and the vestige of British legacy.
Ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Patrick%27s_Cathedral,_Poona
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