Macfarlane Memorial Church

The Macfarlane Memorial Church is located at Kd Pradhan Road ( Chotti Bhalu hop) in Kalimpong. Its architecture and rich history still attract heritage lovers. The old structure of the church was damaged because of an earthquake that hit Sikkim on September 18, 2011. The church is visited frequently by the local Catholic Population. It is used for social and cultural events. It must be noted that it offered a service in 10 languages, including Sanskrit, Bodo, Tibetan, and Urdu, apart from English, Bengali, and Hindi. On Sunday Morning, the church opens its gate to the public. Every year, during the festive weeks, week-long musical events are also arranged here.

It has a glorious history of 128 years.

Attraction

The church provides a beautiful view of Kali Pong town; if you are lucky, you can also enjoy a majestic view of Mt. Kanchenjunga. The path of the church was once decorated with tall, dark oaths and pines. But now, they are vanishing because of the rapid unplanned urbanization. A defined area displays several damaged pillars and other rubbles of the present tower. You can also enjoy a blend of Hindu, Buddhist, and European architectural styles through the floral design of the pinnacles.

History

In 1870, a young Scottish missionary, Rev William Macfarlane, arrived in Kalimpong to establish several schools and support centers for the marginalized Tibetans. In a short period, he became popular among locals, and they soon made him a legend. But unfortunately, he died at the age of 47, shocking his friends. To show gratitude for his contribution, his Indian and European friends built a church in his memory as a token of love. 1889, when Dr. Anderson Graham and his wife Katherine arrived in Kalimpong from Scotland, Hey primarily took the initiative. Dr. Graham would be the pastor of the church for 35 years. Construction began on February 24, 1890, and they held the first service on November 1, 1891.

Inside/Outside Views

The church was built in Scotland’s standard Gothic Revival style of architecture. A scot named Sutherland supervised the construction. Here, you can see a bell tower and the long, low-roofed prayer room running behind it, creating an aesthetic spark. Later, a four-level tower was added – each with arched windows and ventilators. However, the tower’s pinnacle doesn’t hold any bell or cross now. In this tower, we can see that the first two levels are designed with two arches, the third level has one arch, and the top level is designed with three arches on the three sides of the tower. They built the long prayer hall in European style. This view reminds you of the testimony of Kalimpong’s colonial heritage.

Opening Hours

Sunday 9 AM–5 PM

Monday 9 AM–3 PM

Tuesday 9 AM–3 PM

Wednesday 9 AM–3 PM

Thursday 9 AM–3 PM

Friday 9 AM–3 PM

Saturday 9 AM–3 PM

How to Reach

By Road: Chitre Bus Stop and Tista Bazar Bus Stop are the bus stations nearest to this Macfarlane Memorial Church. One can quickly get any local transport from the two bus stations to the expected place.

By Train: Kalimpong doesn’t have a railway station. The nearest railway station to this place is the New Jalpaiguri railway station, located 77 km from Kalim Pong. You can reach the church by any local transport or Cab.

By air: Bag Dogra International Airport is the nearest airport to KalimPong, 79 km away. It is well connected with the rest of India. You can hire a taxi or Cab to reach the church quickly.

Tips for Travellers

Sunday Morning is the best time to visit the church. Remember it is a church, so you should be careful about your dresses. Please remove your shoes before entering the church. Visitors are obligated to maintain the manners of the church. You can’t eat or drink anything inside the church.

FAQ