One of the most beautiful, and one of the oldest erected church of Northern India is the church called – St. Oswald Church Bakloh. St. Oswald Church is an old church erected on the year 1884 at Bakloh. One of the oldest and most beautiful church of North India, is a divine and cool space of Bakloh. It is a scenic and beautiful addition to the tourist destinations of Bakloh. Not only this holy place is visited by Christians , but also is a place to be visited by almost all people who visit Bakloh. Located in the surroundings of green and tall Pine trees, the Church is a great place to be. It is a small church compared to other churches, but has its well maintained campus. The nature has gifted it with serene and peaceful surroundings.
The Church
At present Pastor Racean Mirock is the Priest of the St. Oswald Church(2020-21). The beautifully designed Church, carries the legacy of old and legendary Bakloh. It is a peaceful place.The surroundings and atmosphere of St. Oswald Church Bakloh is divine. The Church gets most devotees on the Christmas day as expected. On the Christmas celebrations, a gathering and lunch is organized in addition to the prayers.
The Church is small, but large enough to accommodate small population of Christians at Bakloh. It can accommodate up to 25 persons at a time for prayers. The inside of the building is beautiful, fascinating and angelic. The church is fully decorated on the Christmas eve. It is the favorite destination of all Baklohites on the auspicious day of Christmas.
One can imagine the glorious History of Bakloh by visiting this holy place. It is an old but solid monument of Bakloh. St. Oswald Church finds its mention in some very old books of History written by British Army Officers.
Where is St. Oswald Church?
St. Oswald Church is at Bakloh Cantonment area. It is just 500 meters away from the Bus stand of Bakloh in the Army Area on the way to the Famous Kali Mata Temple. It is in front of the Cantonment Board Bakloh Office and is near to the Cantt. Board Hospital too. The place is a holy place of Christians and is occasionally crowded. In the small radius of 15 square kilometers of Bakloh, one can easily find the Saint Oswald Church. A divine and religious place of Bakloh is one of the most beautiful place of Bakloh too. The scenic beauty is quite visible and sounds of the nature are easily audible at this place. Soothing silence of celestial space at Bakloh is fascinating enough to attract the visitors to reach here again and again.
Description by the Pastor of the Church
I asked for some help for description of the church by the revered present Pastor of the church, Pastor Racean Mirock and got the description. I am very thankful to him for the help rendered. As mentioned by him, The Church itself is a big proof of the legacy of Pre- Independence era of India. The words written by him for the worthy place are shown through picture given. One can find it’s mention in some old articles and books written by British officers and writers.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
― Holy Bible.
The Legacy
The inner walls of the church themselves contain memoirs of some of the British Officers of the era.
There are stones engraved with the mention of a few British Army officers, who died in their service. The walls find the mention of Brigadier General John Adam Tytler, CBVC, Colonel and Commandant 4th Gorkha Regiment(1880), Major Henry Hamilton 2/4 Gorkha Rifles (1900), Sir Charles S Leslie 2/4 Gorkha Rifles (1905), Captain H. S. J Sime 2/4 Gorkha Rifles (1910), Colonel George William Rogers, and Captain Neville Henry Rogers (1917). The tablets engraved on the walls of the church carry the glory of British army officers who laid their lives doing their duty.
Some of the words written on the tablets (memoirs) are-
‘They are without fault, before the throne of God’.
‘Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.’
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith.
The holy St. Oswald Church is standing tall as a Historical figure of beautiful Bakloh. Do visit the legacy of Historical Bakloh.
Christmas Celebrations # St. Oswald Church, Bakloh
Let us watch the beautiful and celestial Church and Christmas celebrations through some pictures. Bakloh,”The Photographer’s Paradise” is really beautiful, and one can find it’s beauty everywhere around.
