Renovated Railway town church draws crowds.

Matters India reporter

Asansol, September 24, 2023 : Come, Bengal’s pooja and Christmas season, a renovated Church in Bengal’s railway town is bound to draw crowds of visitors to admire its colourful glass motif windows and painted vaults.

The dwarf church built in 1975 in the third largest city of Bengal after Kolkata and Siliguri, Asansol church is named after the beloved disciple of Jesus Christ – St John the Apostle.

“The present St John’s church Chelidanga constructed in 1991, required much repair after 32 years,” says present parish priest Fr Dolphy Mathias.

“Thus keeping in mind the place of worship and make it more suitable and appealing to the devotees who come to the Church to pray, an elaborate plan was made to use religious symbols and pictures in the Church,” recalls Fr Mathias who contacted Church Art Kolkata, leading Church decor people.

The CEO of Church Art Mr Subrata Ganguly who has over 40 years of experience in Church decor and furnishing, took up the task of refurnishing the whole interior especially the background of the altar, the ceiling, the doors and windows.

As the Church is dedicated to St. John the evangelist who was at the foot of the cross along with Mary at the crucifixion of Jesus, the altar background has been prepared with the scene of Calvary.

Also, a larger than life size statue of St John is perched on the roof top of the Church entrance. Another unique and appealing feature is the twenty mysteries of the rosary depicted with pictures on the windows which gives an instant glimpse of Jesus’ life.

There are ten pictures of the healing and miracles of Jesus on the ceiling of the central isle which gives a grand look to the whole church.

The bronze finish doors with liturgical symbols bring a sense of devotion and prayer as one enters the church.

The consecration of the altar and the first Mass in the renovated church was offered on September 24 by Bishop Elias Frank, the new Bishop of Asansol diocese.

It was also bishop’s first visit to St. John’s Church after his Episcopal Ordination which took place on 24th August 2023 at Holy Family Church, Nuta, Burdwan.