One of the most significant churches in Himachal Pradesh is St. John in the Wilderness, which was constructed in 1852. Built in honor of John the Baptist, this neo-gothic church is situated close to Dharamshala and on the route to Mcleodganj. Known for its Belgian stained-glass windows, this serene building is surrounded by thick deodar woodlands.
The peculiar church is known as “St John in the Wilderness” since it was constructed in a dense forest. This is one of Dharamsala’s oldest buildings and the last resting place of Lord Ergin, a governor general and viceroy of India during the British Raj.
Part of the colonial legacy is the stunning church with its neo-gothic architecture. Constructed in 1852, the church was dedicated to John the Baptist. For the British soldiers stationed here at the time, it served as a place of worship. A significant earthquake that struck the Kangra region in 1905 claimed the lives of almost 19,800 people.
With the exception of its partially shattered bell tower, the church was mostly unaffected by the destruction of most of Kangra’s structures. A new bell was reinstalled in 1915. In 1861, Lord Elgin, the Governor-General and Viceroy of India, was laid to rest in the cemetery that surrounded the cathedral.
Timings : Monday – Saturday: 7:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Address : Road to Naddi Village from McLeod Ganj, McLeod Ganj, Dharamshala, Himachal Pradesh 176215
Opened : 1852