Fort Church, Bangalore
| The Fort Church | |
|---|---|
| The Fort Church, Bangalore | |
| 12°57′46″N 77°34′33″E / 12.962875°N 77.575956°ECoordinates: 12°57′46″N 77°34′33″E / 12.962875°N 77.575956°E | |
| Location | Bangalore Fort |
| Country | India |
| Denomination | Anglican |
| History | |
| Former name(s) | Drummer's Chapel |
| Founded | 1808 |
| Founder(s) | Lieutenant John Blakiston |
| Architecture | |
| Style | Anglican |
| Completed | 1808 |
| Closed | 1933 |
| Demolished | 1933 |
| Administration | |
| Diocese | Diocese of Mysore |
The Fort Church, Bangalore, was located within the Bangalore Fort. The church was demolished to make place for the construction of the Vani Vilas Hospital. The Government of Mysore allotted land in Chamrajpet for construction of a new church, and this is now the St. Luke's Church. Early records refer to this church as the Drummer's Chapel, constructed by British soldiers after the fall of Tippu Sultan. The Fort Church, Bangalore was the first protestant church to be raised in Bangalore.
The Fort Church, Bangalore was amongst the 15 churches built by the Government of Madras, before 1833, when there were no special rules with regards to building churches. The Military board of the Madras Army approved the construction. The Church raised in 1807 was for the use of the British troops posted in the Bangalore Fort.
The Fort Church, Bangalore was visited by Bishop Turner, travelling from Madras to Bangalore.
The Fort Church was no longer in use by 1836, when it was visited by Bishop Corrie, as there was only one chaplain for Bangalore, and he could not travel from the Bangalore Civil and Military Station to the Bangalore Fort. The church building was being used by the Madras Army for other purposes. Later in 1836, the army moved out of the Fort, and handed it over to the Government of Mysore
In 1857, a small garrison of the Madras Army was stationed again at the Bangalore Fort, and the Fort Church was re-opened.
The church was modest, unlike other churches in Bangalore at that period. It resembled a barrack, with a tiled roof supported by beams. The Church was referred to as the 'Little Church'.
When the Fort Church was demolished, some of the items were re-used in building the St. Luke's Church, Chamrajpet. This includes the church bell, bearing the inscription 'Madras Mint 1868'
Illustration of the Fort Church, Bangalore by Rev. Frank Penny, in his book 'The Church in Madras, Volume II' provides a description of the church.
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Wikipedia