St Mary's Church - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 3.5 km from Pune Junction, St. Mary's Church is an ancient church situated in Cantonment Camp of Pune. It is the oldest church in the Deccan region and thus is known as the 'mother church of the Deccan'.

The church was built by Lieutenant Nash of the East India Company and the foundation of the building was laid by Bishop Heber, the Bishop of Calcutta, in 1825. The church was built to meet the spiritual needs of the British soldiers stationed in and around Pune. The church currently is under the jurisdiction of the Church of North India.

Apart from Gothic style of architecture, the church also displays a blend of British and Indian architectural styles. Under the floors of the church, mortal remains of Sir Robert Grant, the renowned writer of religious lyrics and an erstwhile Governor of Mumbai is placed. Before 1982, the church was adorned with a steeple, which was later replaced by shorter concrete one. In the memory of Lieutenant Trotter, stained glass was fitted at the altar and near the baptistery, in 1874.

Being a garrison church, St. Mary's contains many memorials of the British soldiers who served in various wars and battles. The stones and plaques commemorate many figures; prominent amongst them is the memorial of Brevet Lieutenant Colonel and Major William Morris of Fishleigh, Hatherleigh, and Devon, one of the few survivors from the battle of Balaclava. The church also houses the remains of Sir Edward West, the Chief Justice of Supreme Court at Bombay, which was established in 1823 by the East India Company.

Timings: 7.30 AM to 6 PM