St. James Church C.N.I (Jora Girja) - Church in Kolkata - Kolkata, India

Truly where there's God, there's peace - if you're going through your rough times and even in your happiness, you can just go there and sit and share it all with him ( especially if you're an introverted person and love silence this is the seventh heaven for you, I assure ). And the big old trees just adds to it. Do meet Melody, she's such a wonderful heart, you'll know when you'll talk to her. Being one of the oldest Church standing in Kolkata, its beauty is unparalleled and nothing less than perfect.

I remember going to this church as a kid for founder's Day. It was the church we shared with St. James. Surrounded by a well kept garden it stood tall with all the arches and tall twin spires. The interiors are equally elegant. There's a spiral staircase leading to the floor above which was always reserved for the less fortunate middle school students who were way too excited about being present to bother about the heat(no fans) :D The sunlight filtering through the coloured glasses makes a very quaint,colourful halo on the floor. Imo it's definitely one of the prettiest churches in Calcutta. Do visit if you haven't :)

Very old church..... good maintained...... heritage of Calcutta..... place for peace and worship to almighty God.....i just love the place.... perfect place for meditation....I go there to purchase some books... because Christian book fair 2019 organized by Bible society of India...

Nice gathering on Christmas Eve for midnight mass . Less crowded and more peaceful than other famous churches in Kolkata

Sitting in my newspaper office opposite St. James' Church I would often let my imagination run riot. The twin spires of the most elegant of churches of Kolkata built in 1862 the spires dominated the skyline of the locality known as Jora Girja -jodd'aa girjaa. It was indeed built to replace an older one of the same name which was situated near Amherst Street. This earlier church, built in 1829 appears to have fallen into a state of disrepair and was declared unsafe for divine worship. It was decided to abandon any attempts to repair the Church. The church authorities, therefore, resolved to build a new church in a more convenient locality and, in conjunction with it, a school for the children of the neighbourhood. The project for building the new church got support and backing of Archdeacon Pratt, a keen educationist, who, with his influence, was able to acquire the garden house of Mr. Coates together with its spacious grounds for the purpose. At the same time, a smaller house on the grounds was also acquired for the residence of the Chaplain. St. James school and Pratt memorial school are a testimony to Archdeacon Pratt's foresight. On school holidays one can visualise the old City and the time when there were people who could translate their wishes for the community with ease.

It is finest place to get closer to the God and get Peace. When things are not moving in the right direction, it is the place when you can turn . Peace prevails.

St. James' Church, also known as Jora Girja (Bengali: literally meaning twin church for its twin spires in Kolkata (Calcutta), India, built in 1862, is one of most impressive churches in the city, and the largest protestant church that can accommodate about 600 people at a time in its prayer hall. The present church, replaced the older one of the same name which was situated in Nebutolla Lane, near Amherst Street. This earlier church was built using St. Thomas' Church as model in style and design and was consecrated by Bishop Reginald Heber on 12 November,1829. The twin spires of the St. James' Church dominated the Kolkata's skyline. The church became unsafe for divine worship due to poor maintenance, lack of funds, etc and at one state, the wooden beams and other important structures were heavily damaged because of sustained termite attack. On August 23, 1858, when the restoration work had just begun, the roof caved in, causing heavy damages. As the church was too damaged to resume restoration work, the church authorities decided to have a new church built in a new locality along with a school for children. The historical church in the past had prominent vicars such as Basil Manuel and John Perumbalath, currently Archdeacon of Barking in the Church of England. God bless all of u....

This church completed 160 years in 2022. A very old , Beautiful and peaceful place.