Art and Culture

Asansol Church in West Bengal gets a facelift; adds to the spiritual ambiance

by Trans World Features | @twfindia 28 Sep 2023, 05:37 pm

Asansol: A renovated church at Chelidanga, in Asansol’s railway colony of West Bengal, named after St John The Apostle was formally blessed recently at an auspicious function attended by the Bishop and parish priests.

The consecration of the altar and the first Mass in the renovated church was offered by Bishop Elias Frank, the new Bishop of the Asansol diocese.

It was also the Bishop’s first visit to St. John’s Church after his Episcopal Ordination which took place on  Aug 24 at Holy Family Church, Nuta, Burdwan. Also present were Fr. Francis Badagu, Fr. Raymond Besra, Fr. Dolphy Mathias, Fr. Arbind Tirkey, Fr. Gerald Machado and other guests and invitees.

“The present St John’s Church, Chelidanga, constructed in 1991, required much repair and renovation work after 32 years. The renovation work with colourful glass motifs, windows, and painted vaults have added to the spiritual ambiance,” said Parish Priest, Fr. Dolphy Mathias.

“Thus keeping in mind the place of worship and making it more suitable and appealing to the devotees who come to the Church to pray, an elaborate plan was made to use religious symbols and pictures in the Church,” recalls Fr. Mathias, who contacted Church Art Kolkata, the leading Church decor people.

The founder and administrative head of Church Art,  Subrata Ganguly, who has over 40 years of experience in Church decor and furnishing, took up the task of refurbishing the whole interior, especially the background of the altar, the ceiling, the doors and windows.

As the Church is dedicated to St. John the evangelist, who was at the foot of the cross along with Mary. The altar background has been prepared with the scene of the Calvary. Also, a larger-than-life-sized statue of St. John is perched on the rooftop of the Church entrance.

Another unique and appealing feature is the twenty mysteries of the rosary depicted with pictures on the windows which gives an instant glimpse of Jesus’ life. There are ten pictures of the healing and miracles of Jesus on the ceiling of the central aisle which gives a grand look to the whole church.

The bronze finish doors with liturgical symbols bring a sense of devotion and prayer as one enters the church.