Topic: UNVEILING THE HISTORY OF ST. LUKE’S CHURCH, ABBOTTABAD

Modernage Girls Campus:

Class: Grade 5

By: Aaron Arthur

THE HISTORY ABBOTTABAD

The history of Abbottabad started from General Sir James Abbott, KCB (12^th March, 1807 – 6^th October, 1896) who was an English military officer in the Bengal Army and an administrator in British India. The city of Abbottabad, in present day Pakistan, was founded by and named after him.

       HISTORY OF ST. LUKE’S CHURCH

St. Luke's Church, Abbottabad is an Anglican Church, dedicated to Saint Luke, is more than 159 years old church. The church is located in the center of Abbottabad near General Post Office. The construction of St. Luke's Church commenced in 1854- 55, with initial delays due to slow fund-raising and then a brief interruption due to the Indian Rebellion of 1857, and it was completed and then consecrated by the Bishop of Calcutta in 1864. The church was closed from June,1947 to April,1948 due to the Independence of Pakistan. In 1970, the church of Pakistan was established via union of Church of Scotland and united Methodists and Lutherans. And now is under the jurisdiction of Peshawar Diocese of Church of Pakistan.

       SAINT LUKE

Saint Luke, also known as Luke the Evangelist, is widely regarded as the author of both the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. He wrote more of the New testament than anyone else—even the Apostle Paul. The Roman Catholic Church and other major denominations venerate him as Saint Luke the Evangelist and as a patron saint of artists, physicians, bachelors, surgeons, students and butchers. This church in Abbottabad was also named after the St Luke.

CONSTRUCTION OF ST. LUKE’S CHURCH

The construction of church was started in 1854 but due to world war second in 1857 and shortage of funds it was completed in 1864 in the reign of Queen Victoria of England and she personally visited the Church. The church’s jurisdiction covered most of the Hazara region including Abbottabad itself, Haripur, Mansehra, and the Galyat hill tracts . Before the foundation of this church, the local Christian community did not have resources to a regular vicar or chaplain, and these services were provided occasionally by chaplains attached to the various military regiments in the cantonment or by officials deputed from time to time from Peshawar or Rawalpindi. According to the history, the church was constructed with hand carved white/grey stones, eggs mixed with jute crush and lentils as the binding material.

       MY VISIT TO ST.LUKE’S CHURCH 

       ABBOTTABAD

It is an honor for me to unveil the historical facts of the St. Luke’s church to the world around me, I am very grateful to my school administration for giving me this opportunity. It’s an honor and blessing for me as my Mother was born in the premises of this historical church. I have visited the church for this presentation with my mother and sister & had a detailed interview of the priest in charge Rev. Rafique Javed. He explained the history of the church, its construction, style, how it was made and about the personalities who visited here, etc.

The church has three gates, the Lady Garden Gate, the Queen Victoria Gate and the Club Gate. The priest in charge briefed me about the ancient things inside the church like the chair of the Bishop of Calcutta, the ancient 159 years old pipe organ and 18th century Holy Bible, Sunday service record register having the signatures of the Bishop of Calcutta, its 18^th century old bell, its ancient Tablets fixed in the memory of officers of the British Army in 18th century and before the partition of India and Pakistan. And also, its old church door key and the ancient offering plate.

       CHURCH INTERIOR

The interior of the church is kept almost in the same condition as it was made, the internal structure of the church roof is made of wooden beams. The church still has its ancient things including the Chair of Bishop of Calcutta, the ancient 159 years old pipe organ and 18th century Holy Bible, its 18^th century old bell, its ancient Tablets fixed in the memory of officers of the British army of 18th century and before the partition of India and Pakistan. And also, its old church door key and the ancient offering plate, and 18^th century Baptism font used for the Baptism of the newly born babies.

       THE CHAIR OF BISHOP OF CALCUTTA

The Saint Luke’s Church was consecrated by the Bishop of Calcutta in 1864. The chair was in the use of Bishop of Calcutta during the Holy Prayers of Sunday. This wooden chair is still present in good condition in the church.

THE 18TH CENTURY PIPE ORGAN

The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving                         pressurized air (called wind) through the organ pipes selected from a keyboard. The pipe organ present  in the Saint Luke’s Church is of 18th Century but is not functional. It is         an ancient and very precious asset of the church present till date.

Beside this there is an Indian Piano which is still in working condition.

       THE 18TH CENTURY BIBLE 

The Saint Luke’s Church has an ancient (18^th Century’s) and very precious master piece of Holy Bible in English language. This Holy Bible was used by the priests during the Sunday Prayer service.

       THE 18TH CENTURY CHURCH BELL 

The Saint Luke’s Church also has a big oldest bell that was fixed during the construction of this church. This bell rings every Sunday or any other specific day showing the time to start the Holy prayer service in the church. It is tied with a strong string with handle.

       THE ANCIENT TABLETS

The ancient tablets are placed on the walls of the church in the memory of English Army officer and most of them are of 18^th century and are in original condition.

     THE OLD CHURCH DOOR KEY AND THE        ANCIENT OFFERING PLATE

The church’s main wooden door is made of Cedrous deodara, and it has a special lock & key and is a valuable asset of the church. The church has an old copper made offering plate of the same era. It is used to collect the offerings from the worshipers in the church during the prayer service.

THE 18TH CENTURY BAPTISM FONT BASIN

The church still has the 18^th century rock made Baptism font Basin which is used to keep the Holy water for the Baptism or Christening of the newly born child.

OTHER FEATURES OF SAINT LUKE’S CHURCH 

On the top of the dome a cock is placed connected with the grounding wire to secure the church building from the lightening.

ANCIENT GLASS ART 

The ancient colorful artwork of the windows and ventilators give a spectacular view to the church and enhances the aesthetic sense of the architecture of that time.

 

A special tool to blow the candles after service

Ancient utensils of the church

Choir Gown and Sitting Area

                Inside View Of Church

        An Aerial View Of The Church Symbolizes         The Holy Cross

    An Outside View Of The Church

    Buildings Attached to the Church for                     Official/Residential Purposes

Abbottabad Club

Initially it was the part of the church premises and was used for British officers.

“I will end my article with some beautiful childhood memories in the premises of Saint Luke’s Church.”

SPECIAL THANKS AND REGARDS TO:

Respected Rev. Rafique Javed (Priest In charge) Respected Principal Mr. Abdul Wahid Mir Respected Co-Principal Ma’am Sameera Wahid Respected Coordinator Ma’am Fahmeedah Respected Teacher Ma’am Kinza

My Supportive Parents & My Beloved Sister