Gothic elegance

Onedoesn't expect to get nineteenth-century architecture in the earthy heart ofGuruwar Peth but the Church of the Holy Name (Panch Haud Mission Church)provides just that. Planned along the lines of a basilica, thechurch sports Gothic ornamentation. What gives it its monumentality is animposing 130-ft, five-storey belfry tower with eight chiming bells presumablythe only tower in South Asia to have as many bells carrying the inscription HolyName of Jesus'. These bells were made in England by Taylor and Sons orpresent-day Taylors Eayre and Smith Ltd, Loughborough, Leicestershire, thecompany that cast the 17,002-kg Bourdon bell in 1881 for London's St Paul'sCathedral the largest bell in Britain and today operates the world's largestbell-foundry. Of the four altars inside, the principal altar,located towards the east and backed by a curvilinear apse formerly used as theFather's Chapel, was made in Plymouth, England, and is an exquisite blend ofmulti-coloured Devonshire marble and white alabaster stone. Over it stands aminiature version of the Greek Parthenon with fluted columns. The chapel of theHoly Sacrament has elegant wooden carvings behind the altar. The otherhighlights include the chapel of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Credence Table(used in the celebration of the Eucharist or the Last Supper), the EpiscopalChair, an octagonal marble font in the extended western apse, and ornate archesabove the principal altar, bearing St John's Disc of Jesus and a brass eagle.The austere structure housing today's parish hall was brought in the1880s by the then Bishop of Bombay, Rev Dr Louis George, to serve as the officeof his missionary centre. It was in the small chamber forming today's vestrythat mass was first performed here. The idea of a full-fledged church followedsoon afterwards and attracted generous donations from the devout.The cornerstone of the church building was laid in September 1883 byRev George and the construction was completed in December 1885, just in time forthat year's Christmas celebrations. The inscription on the cornerstone says thatthe church is being raised to bring glory to the Holy Name. The belfry was builtbetween 1883 and 1898. The original building extended only as far astoday's middle door, leaving a substantial foreground towards the west. It wasexpanded in 1905. During a visit to this church in 1917, Sadhu Sunder Singh, oneof India's most famous converts to Christianity and author of At the Master'sFeet', is said to have remarked: "This church will stand till the Second Coming(the return of Jesus for the Last Judgment)." The parsonage was inaugurated onOctober 13, 1930, by Bishop Dyke Auckland. The church is held andmanaged by the Bombay Diocesan Trust Association. However, it runs almostentirely on public subscriptions. Paucity of funds continues to be a majorchallenge. That explains why plans to install clocks in the circular openings ofthe belfry have been languishing for years.