Afghan Church
Afghan Church
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Neighbourhood: South Mumbai
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.0
61 reviews
Excellent
25
Very good
27
Average
6
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Shailesh
6 contributions
Nov 2019
This is must see point in case you are planning South Mumbai tour esp around Gateway of India . You can take a taxi from GOI to this place for less than Rs 100 . The church has historical importance and has beautiful glass works.
Written 3 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Debarati D
Navi Mumbai, India1,656 contributions
Jan 2015 • Couples
Nestled among ancient trees at Navy Nagar in the Colaba area of Mumbai (Bombay), is the Church of St. John the Evangelist, better known as the Afghan Church. It is an Anglican Church built by the British to commemorate their dead in the First Afghan War spanning 1837-1843. Hence its popular name - the Afghan Church.The imposing edifice of this beautiful piece of history was constructed using locally available buff-coloured basalt and limestone.The wide gothic arches and beautiful stained glass windows inside the Church are a treat to the eyes.In fact, it is the first Church, erected in India embodying the new principles of Gothic Architecture. Consecrated in 1858, the architecture of the Church was meant to give a feeling of homecoming to the sailors who came to India from England by sea. The tall towers of the Church could be spotted from far. This building is a pioneer in the sense that it paved the way for the high Victorian buildings that became the specialty of British Colonial architecture, in India.
The commemorative plaques in the Church speak poignantly of the officers, NCOs and privates and their families who perished due to war and sickness , especially during the troops’ withdrawal from Kabul through snowbound passes. The dead included both British and Indian soldiers.
Once you enter the premises of the Church, you seem to be transported to another era. Be there early in the morning to enjoy its tranquility. Photography inside the Church requires permission from the parish priest.
The commemorative plaques in the Church speak poignantly of the officers, NCOs and privates and their families who perished due to war and sickness , especially during the troops’ withdrawal from Kabul through snowbound passes. The dead included both British and Indian soldiers.
Once you enter the premises of the Church, you seem to be transported to another era. Be there early in the morning to enjoy its tranquility. Photography inside the Church requires permission from the parish priest.
Written 30 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
devinder s
Mumbai, India409 contributions
Feb 2015 • Friends
The Afghan church is a land mark place in colaba area of Mumbai. It is more than 150 yrs old church erected in the memory of the soldier who fought in the Afghan war. It is one of the tall building and marvel of architecture. Has a large open area around with old trees but not so well maintained.
The place is easy to visit being just on the main road local buses and taxis are easily available form the nearest railway station church gate or CST. for some of the buses it is final stop.
The inside area is large with huge stain glass window showing the different pictures of Jesus. At the entrances the plates display the names of the officers and NCO who laid there life during the war.
The names of the soldier have not been mentioned as the number being very large.
The status of the building is not so good and need to be overlooked.
The place is easy to visit being just on the main road local buses and taxis are easily available form the nearest railway station church gate or CST. for some of the buses it is final stop.
The inside area is large with huge stain glass window showing the different pictures of Jesus. At the entrances the plates display the names of the officers and NCO who laid there life during the war.
The names of the soldier have not been mentioned as the number being very large.
The status of the building is not so good and need to be overlooked.
Written 16 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Luv2Xplore
Dakota Dunes, SD161 contributions
Jan 2019 • Solo
Lovely Anglican church in south Mumbai’s Navy Nagar area built during the British raj to commemorate the fallen during the First Afghan war in the 1842. Church has been restored. Great edifice, architecture and stained glass windows. Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall attended a service here in 2013. Church is generally locked so best attend one of the services.
Written 14 June 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shakila R
Cincinnati, OH145 contributions
Dec 2017
This is a beautiful church located in Colaba, at the base of Navy Nagar. It was decorated so grandly as I was there about a week before Christmas.
Written 1 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ClayF2
Houston, TX2,130 contributions
Mar 2017 • Family
Very interesting history. I liked the inside. Better maintained than other reviewers have indicated. We gave the groundsman a tip for letting us inside.
Highly recommended.
You drive the India naval grounds to get the church.
Highly recommended.
You drive the India naval grounds to get the church.
Written 24 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AlphaSiera
Texas253 contributions
Dec 2016 • Friends
This is a church that's situated in an isolated enclave of Colaba, Mumbai within the defense establishment areas and as such less visited by locals, however still operational in a limited manner. However, the church represents magnificent architecture from the mid 1800's with high rise pillars, colorful mosaics and rich British military history. The church was constructed to honor the fallen British troops in the First Anglo-Afghan conflict of 1839.
The walls of the church are inscribed with writings describing British military events and achievements. There are colors of British military units that participated in the First Anglo-Afghan conflict and numerous drawings and military insignia displayed on the walls. The church is almost like a museum that consists parts of the British military and the conflict with historical records and artifacts portrayed on the walls that paints a picture of the conflict.
One unique thing about this church, unlike most probably any church in India is, the benches are from that mid 1800's era and includes rifles holders for troops that came for service to the church.
The exterior and the gardens of the church is a pitiful condition due to lack of budget and enthusiasm to restore its sanctity by the authorities. Regardless, its worth a visit to this church.
The walls of the church are inscribed with writings describing British military events and achievements. There are colors of British military units that participated in the First Anglo-Afghan conflict and numerous drawings and military insignia displayed on the walls. The church is almost like a museum that consists parts of the British military and the conflict with historical records and artifacts portrayed on the walls that paints a picture of the conflict.
One unique thing about this church, unlike most probably any church in India is, the benches are from that mid 1800's era and includes rifles holders for troops that came for service to the church.
The exterior and the gardens of the church is a pitiful condition due to lack of budget and enthusiasm to restore its sanctity by the authorities. Regardless, its worth a visit to this church.
Written 6 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lorie22
London, UK43 contributions
Mar 2016 • Friends
This beautiful church, with its poignant memorials and beautiful interior, commemorates the three Afghan Wars the British fought, basically to keep Russian out of India (the Great Game), the last AFTER World War One! One can't help but consider what a difficult terrain and what an intrepid people the Afghans must be to have held at bay the British at the height of their power, and the Russians and then the Americans at the height of theirs. Food for thought.
Written 14 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CarLinkMumbai
Mumbai, India12,429 contributions
Feb 2015
Few Kms away from CST Railway Station on the southernmost end of the city houses this monumental Church. A very serene atmosphere in and around this church draws faithfuls on each Sunday morning. Must visit place
Written 30 October 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yolanda999
Albuquerque, NM100 contributions
May 2014 • Couples
Church of St John the Evangelist, AKA Afghan Church was a delight to visit. Beautiful stained glass windows line the alter area and the entry way of the church. The gothic arches and stained glass windows with the large bell tower, make this church a beauty. The church was build in memory of all the officers and soldiers you died during the Afghan war 1838-43. There are memorials on the walls listing names of the fallen soldiers. On a happier note Price Charles and Camille also visited this location in 2013, there are photos and a guest book you see. Worth seeing!
Written 6 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hello,
Need to know the timings for 25th December 2019, tomorrow for attending morning service.
Written 24 December 2019
Sorry, logged in too late to answer your question. Hope you were able to attend the mass
Written 16 January 2020
Hello Need to know about the Good Friday Services at the Afghan Church tomorrow March 25th, 2016. Please reply with information. Greatly appreciated.
Written 24 March 2016
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