St. Johns Church, Vellore Overview

St. John’s Church is one of the oldest churches in the Vellore Diocese which follows the Anglican tradition. Located in the heart of the city in Vellore and within the campus of Vellore Fort, it is a church that is most visited by the locals and also one of religious significance. Built-in 1846, the interiors of the church has a touch of charm to it. At present, the majority of the church is in association with the Christian Medical College & Hospital. The church also works with several NGOs and supports schools and hostels.

This beautiful church is located at a distance of about 1.5 kms from the Vellore Railway station, which is situated in the fort of Vellore. The St. John’s Church is said to have begun in 1846, by Reform Church of America, goes by the name, RCA. The church was relocated from FilterBed Road to its at-times location. It is said that the Soldiers who lost their lives amid the war of Sepoy Mutiny have been buried in the establishment of the Church. The history of the Shrine is depicted through the inscriptions safeguarded in the Church of St. John. And hence, this particular church is said to be one of the oldest ones in the city of Vellore.

Mass Timings

Holy Communion on the first day of every month is conducted at 7:00 AM. On the 1st and 3rd Sunday, Holy Communion is at 7:30 AM and the Matins is at 9:30 AM. On the 2nd and 4th Sundays, Matins is at 7:30 AM and the Holy Communion is at 9:30 AM. There is also a Sunday School at 10:00 AM every Sunday and a youth meeting follow it.

History of St John's Church

The church was sanctioned by the Madras Government to be built within the premises of the Vellore fort in the year 1844. For payment of INR 500, Major C Ottley designed and constructed the church. The construction cost for the church was INR 5559 with an additional expenditure of INR 500 for the furnishing. The church was refurbished with beautiful interiors between the years 1874 and 1879 when Rev J B Trend served in the church.

An additional INR 725 was spent for this purpose. The church was named after St. John, the author of the Gospel of John and also a very renowned figure in Christianity. However, it was never dedicated in his honour. Some British soldiers who lost their lives during the Sepoy Mutiny are buried within the church premises. Around the church, there are many inscriptions that give additional details on the history of the church.

Services at the Church

Sunday service is conducted regularly. The church is exceptionally crowded with devotees and prayers are chanted in the name of Lord during important Christian festivals like Easter, Christmas and Good Friday.

Architecture of St John's Church

Located within the Vellore Fort premises, it is a quiet place with a huge parking space. Being one of the oldest churches, the architecture of the building appears to be from the British era. Right in the front is a fenced garden of greenery giving an aroma of nature before entering the church hall. A small flight of stairs lead to the hall. It has a very serene atmosphere with the vibes of spirituality.

The high raised ceilings have catchy light bulbs and low hung fans. Having a capacity of accommodating 280 people at once, it is reasonably spacious. There is a sanctuary in the east which measures 50 feet X 41 feet and a verandah in the west. Also, the church has two vestries. With classic wooden furniture and brass ornaments, the hall has a touch of antiquity to it.

Best Time to Visit the Church

The church is more lively with a lot of devotees during auspicious days. Also, one can visit the beautiful church during Sundays when the service is held.

How To Reach St. John's Church

The church is located on the same campus as the Vellore Fort. Surrounded by other holy places, the church is located in Fort Round Road in the heart of the city. There are easily accessible and affordable transportation options to reach the church. Local buses and autos can be used to reach the church. The closest railway station is 10 kilometres from the church. Vellore Bus Stand is just 5 kilometres from the church which has buses from major cities. The closest airport is 12 kilometres away. Buses, taxis and autos can be used to shuttle between the different places of visit.