St. Mary's Church Shimla

Address: Kotgarh, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh - 171001
Built In: 18th century
Best Time to Visit: April to August & December to January
Timings: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM, Open all days

Located in the heart of oldest apple farm in Shimla, St. Mary's Church in Kotgarh is a tiny wooden chapel which is a place worth seeing. The church was once built by the Moravian missionaries and the Church Missionary Society. Boasting manicured mustard farms and impressive interiors, the church is a grand spectacle.

Lots of controversies are associated with the inception of the church. Some people believe that the chapel was installed in 1843 and as per the alternative Church records; the cathedral was set up in 1872. Journey to this architectural grandeur is simply mesmerizing, as one will have to cross mustard farmstead, blue hills and lush green surroundings.

All thanks to the surrounding scenic beauty, the church is simply picturesque and photogenic. There are multiple places to explore nearby the church, but the most famous amongst them is Thanedar which is home to Shimla's first apple orchids which were planted here in 1916. What attracts the tourist to this little church is the fact that its beauty is frozen in time. It is as pristine, clean and beautiful as it was in the 18th century.