St. Joseph's Cathedral Church Lucknow

St. Joseph's Cathedral Church stands as an oasis of peace amidst the unceasing hustle and bustle of Hazratganj (a major shopping area) in Lucknow. It is difficult to miss this spellbinding piece of architecture which features a massive statue of Jesus Christ. As you see him from a distance, you automatically feel drawn towards this lovely place of worship. You should visit this church for a number of reasons, one of them being its unique style of architecture. A series of steps lead towards the entrance which sits at a higher height from ground level. Cathedral School, which is attached with the church, has been named after it.

The church is usually filled with devotees and visitors on the occasion of Christmas. During this time, one can see families visiting this beautiful place of worship with their near and dear ones. Christmas carols are sung and other festivities are held.

History

St. Joseph's Cathedral Church was built in the 19th century by an Irish priest named Rev. Fr. William Gleeson, who arrived from Golaganj to Hazratganj. He did this partly by selling a piece of land of a former mission at Golabganj, and partly by with the proceeds and subscriptions raised from the public. The construction of the church was completed in 1862, after which it was blessed by Bishop Anastasius Hartmann.

Architecture

Without a doubt, it is the architecture of St. Joseph's Church in Lucknow which makes it stand out from the others. The upper portion of the building is built in the shape of an enormous crescent, in front of which stands the statue of Jesus Christ with his wide open arms. The crescent is topped by a tall column which consists of a giant cross on the top. The prayer hall is located in the first floor of the building.

The prayer hall inside St. Joseph's Cathedral Church deserves a special mention. It is quite spacious on the inside, and is dotted with pews on either side. Run your eyes through the walls, and you will several paintings depicting events from the life of Jesus Christ.

Best Time to Visit

St. Joseph's Cathedral is located in the Hazratganj area of Lucknow. The church is open for visitors from 7 AM to 8 PM. It remains open throughout the year and can be visited as per the timings mentioned above. The best time to visit the church, located in Lucknow, depends on you and the kind of weather you are comfortable travelling in. During the summer season, it can get quite hot, with the heat being a major put off for some tourists. You can travel during this time if you are not daunted by the heat. It is in the winter season though, that tourists prefer travelling to this city. The calm and pleasant weather presents acts as a perfect companion for exploring the major tourist attractions in Lucknow.