Old Photo Journey of St. John's Church is one of the most popular ones so far and if you have missed old one, we strongly recommend to see old photographs and those were clicked in appropriate season of the year with wonderful Himalayan Hues... HERE... This Photo Journey shared some of the recent photographs from our last visit to Mcledoganj and next will be planned with Mountain-Cleaners to make surroundings of this place cleaner.
This time, we had enough time to spend around St. John Church in Mcledoganj. We were staying in Dharmshala, took a local bus from Dharmshala Bus-Station and reached this church which comes on the way from Dharmshala to Mcledoganj. It was a great welcome at church with wonderful music all around. I have been to this place many times and this was first time, when we listened prayers at St. John Church. It was Sunday Morning...
This road you see on left is the one which connects Mcledoganj with Dharmshala. Mcledoganj is hardly 1.5 kilometers from here and after spending some time around the church we walked till Mcledoganj Market. In above photograph you can see that church is just on right side of this road and connected through a well maintained concrete path till main gate.
This Photograph shows back side of St. John Church. Entry is on other side which is facing main road. This Photograph is clicked from the forest which is in back side of this church, although this whole hill is covered with high Cedar Trees. It was clear day, which is extremely unpredictable in Dharmshala/Mcledoganj. In India after Chirapoongi, Dharmshala gets maximum rains. In fact on same day it rained and we had to spend 2 hrs inside a cafe at Mcledoganj.
During this visit, we met a gentleman who was cleaning the space around St. John Church. He comes to this place from Dharmshala every Sunday and do this work as a volunteer. Unfortunately he can't clean all hills around this place and tourists have made this place full of plastic bottles and wrappers. Mountain Cleaners is an organization which is based in Mcledoganj put their best efforts in ensuring cleanness around this part of State. Photo Journey team will try to clean the space around St John Church with Mountain-Cleaners next time.
Overall this is a peaceful place to spend some time, although I know many people don't like such places. In past, I recommended this place to friends who visited Mcledoganj and they didn't like this place. Anyways, it's personal choice and it's worth to at least visit it once.
Its churchyard is the final resting place of Lord Elgin, who served as Governor General of the Province of Canada, who oversaw the Creation of Responsible Government in Canada, and later while in China, ordered the complete destruction of the Old Summer Palace. He became Governor-General & Viceroy of India in 1861 during the British Raj, though he soon died at Dharamshala on November 20, 1863 and was buried there. (Courtesy - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._John_in_the_Wilderness)
The most notable memorial and one which adjoins the church (the one you see on left side of first photograph in Photo Journey), is the elaborate stone memorial that was erected over the body of the British Viceroy, Lord Elgin who died at Dharamsala in 1863.
The inscription reads - In memory of JAMES BRUCE, Earl of Elign and Kincardine K.T. G.C.B. G.M. S. I. Viceroy, and Governor-General of India, who having previously served his country as Governor of Jamaica, Governor General of Canada, High commissioner and Ambassador to China, and in other High offices, died at Dhurmsala in the discharge of his duties, on the 20th November 1863, aged 52 years and 4 months.
The inscription reads - In memory of JAMES BRUCE, Earl of Elign and Kincardine K.T. G.C.B. G.M. S. I. Viceroy, and Governor-General of India, who having previously served his country as Governor of Jamaica, Governor General of Canada, High commissioner and Ambassador to China, and in other High offices, died at Dhurmsala in the discharge of his duties, on the 20th November 1863, aged 52 years and 4 months.
There are many graves outside the St. John's church where many Britishers of that period have been buried. Still their names are engraved there. People visiting Mcleodganj often visit this fantastic church and get to know a lot about British history in India. This Photograph is clicked in front part of main church. There is a huge area where lot of graves are facing main Mcleodganj town.
St John Church structure survived 1905 Kangra earthquake, which killed close to 19800 people, injured thousands in the Kangra area and destroyed most buildings in Kangra, Mcleodganj and Dharamshala... its spire, Bell tower, was however destroyed. Later, a new bell, built in 1915 by Mears and Stainbank, which was brought from England and installed outside in the compound of the church. It's just in front of main gate of Church, enclosed with concrete on three side and iron bars on front side.
St. John in the Wilderness is an Anglican church dedicated to Saint John which was built in 1852 and located near Mcledoganj suurb of Dharamshala, India... Set amidst deodar forest and built in neo-Gothic architecture, this church is known for its Belgian stained-glass windows donated by Lady Elgin, wife of Lord Elgin.
Weather around this place very pleasant. It remains cool even when Mcledoganj is hot due to direct sunlight. This part is mainly surrounded by dense and high cedar trees.
If you keep your eyes open, this place is surrounded by beautiful flora as well. Lot of tiny flower in different colors can be seen in these hills.
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