St. Andrew's kirk...07 Oct 2014

There was a temporary break from the Sunday escapades because of the ongoing Pujas. The same spirit resumed today again. This time it was again the father-son duo (from where it all began) as my better-half was presumably busy in her newly founded mission.

The large board at the entrance

The frontal view; I had to take an inclined picture to try to cover as much of the structure in a complete frame and that too from as close as possible

The point of survey and research was the St. Andrew's Church; I would prefer the word "Kirk" because of the fact that this is technically the term used for Scottish Church and since this is the one of its kind in Kolkata, let a degree of distinction be attached to the same. It is located besides Writer’s Building; this infact connects Writer’s Building with BBD Bagh. It is at a stone’s throw distance from the High Court on one side and the Old Mission Church (of the fame of being established in 1770) on the other side.

The triangle is visible and so are the pillars; the triglyphs and metopes are distinctly visible

What catches one’s eye is the imposing size (in terms of height). The loftiness speaks also of the thickness of the walls and the girth of the pillars. The pillars so thick that one cannot cover by ones own arms. The structure for sure is very strong because there was no single crack (or sign of decay) on the structure or inside it despite it seeing 196 summers. Yes, I have my statistics correct and doubly checked; it was made public on 08-Mar 1818 though the foundation stone was laid om 31-Nov-1815.

The large pillars are I believe quiet large in diameter

The structure with an isosceles triangle and pillars below it is similar to that of the Greek Church at Rashbihari. There are Doric columns below the stylobate with triglyphs and metopes. I would like to enlighten myself about the uniqueness of this structure; there must be something about the same else there is no reason why a race as enlightened like the Greeks used it extensively for all the temples.

Another distinct visible uniqueness was the presence of the cock over the spire. There is a long story behind the same as to the cold-war between the then Bishop present at St. John’s (which is nearby) and the first Minister of the kirk namely Dr. Bryce. The Bishop insisted that having a spire was the prerogative of the Church and the kirk cannot have one. Stubborn and true to the Scottish style of functioning, Dr. Bryce took the case head-on and insisted on placing a cock on the top of the spire symbolizing that it would crow at the Bishop and also further up the already high structure’s height. The spire also bears a clock which is still working.

The famed cock at the top of the structure; infact this itself makes it distinct in the city's skyline too.

The famed clock on the spire

Photography was not allowed inside; hence all the photography in the blog is thus from outside. I was not that unlucky afterall; found the chief administrator to be an Odia (Mr. Chuintamani Behera from Bhadrak). Needless to say, he was kind enough to be kind with me and my son; almost treated us as his personal guests.

The design was very simple. Once one enters, there is a room on each side of the entrance, the left one used by the Chief Administrator and the right one by the Presbyter Revd. Andrew Simick. As one enters the sacred space, one is stupefied by the absence of any structure or portrait related to Jesus as is typical to any Protestant Church. I felt odd because of my previous Church visits had been to St. Pauls, the Portugese and that of St. John’s which all were Catholic ones. There is a first floor also but I was advised by the Administrator not to venture there; so I (rather we) did not.

This picture has been taken from the internet to make the write up informative. One may notice the two levels, the altar for preaching (one on the ground and the other slightly elevated. One also sees the circular arrangement of chairs typical to this structure.

The frontage is marked by two levels of podiums. One is leveled with the ground which is used for the normal addressing but there is also a raised one which is used by the speaker for large gatherings. The table was a heavy and huge one with the following inscription which was etched on the same: THIS DO IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME; probably referring to the Passover supper where Jesus broke the bread and shared and then shared the wine with all people around.

Another distinct thing that visually seemed different was the arrangement of the audience chairs which was in a circular fashion and not the typical straight arrangements as was the case in the above-mentioned churches. The chairs were solid black with a typical cane arrangement. It seemed there were not much followers as the chairs at the back showed up that there not many sitters out there.

One appreciation point was the fact that it was well maintained. As I and my son were hopping from one memorial notice to the other, the carpet was removed and the sweeper was carefully mopping the floor with care so as not to touch any of the chairs. I stood in awe at the care being taken by an almost illiterate person. If the wet cloth touched any of the chair, it would not damage much but yes the damage would be miniscule; why not be slightly careful and avoid that too!

A crest has been given presented by Calcutta Police to commemorate the First Police Commemoration Day on 22-Oct-1978. This is the only crest while all others are memorablias.There were the following memorial tablets dedicated to

a. John Clarke.

b. Capt. I J R Bowman (Late 1^st attendant of this port and nominated by the Hon. The Court of Directors of East India company) erected by Bengal Pilot Service. I came across this specialized wing of the Britishers for the first time here.

c. Warrant officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the Ist battalion of The Queen’s own Cameron Highlanders who died in India & Burma during the batallion’s tour of Foreign Service (1914-1934). I appreciate the due respect given to all the ranks of members of this battalion.

d. Alexander Garden ESQ M.D., Presidency Surgeon. ESQ stands for Esquire, a rank below knight.

e. Charlotte W/o James Forlong.

f. Col. William Dunlop, Quarter Master General of the EI company’s Bengal Army.

g. Robert Eustace Dalrymple Laudes Harley.

h. Anna Dorothee W/o Thomas Dickson Junior.

i. Lieut Col William Mactier of Bengal Light cavalry; came across this specialized group also for the first time.

j. James Ogilve of University of Calcutta.

k. 2^nd Batallion of The Royal Scotts Fusiliers who died during the tour on foreign service (1919-31).

l. James Shaw, Judge of Sudder Dewanny and Nizamut Adawlut of this Presidency.

m. Donald Macleod, MD, Inspector General of HM Hospitals in India.

n. Alexander Chalmers MD, Presidency Surgeon d 28-Apr-1851.

o. James Brown, DD; junior minister of the Church. From here I came to know that DD stands for Doctrate in Divinity. I had no clue about the same till now.

As has always been my mission i.e. to get to know something new; this time too there were many things which I came to know about the city and the British era.

A design I found just outside the kirk

As I have always done in my past escapedes, I end with the picture of my fellow traveller; this case only of my son.