St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore Service Timings, History, Christmas Celebrations

St Mark’s Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Mark the Evangelist, is the cathedral of the Diocese of Central Karnataka of the Church of South India. The cathedral church, noted for its English Baroque architecture inspired by the 17th century St Paul’s Cathedral, is located at the west end of Mahatma Gandhi Road, MacIver Town, Bangalore. Founded in 1808, the cathedral celebrated its 200-year bicentenary in 2007-8. The cathedral is open to all people irrespective of religion or faith.

In this blog post, we will explore St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore and tell you everything you need to know about this historic and beautiful destination.

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St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore Service Timings

The St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore conducts regular services on Sundays and weekdays, as well as special services on festivals and occasions.

The service timings at St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore are as follows:

• Sunday Services: There are four services on Sundays, at 7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:00 am, and 6:00 pm. The 7:00 am and 11:00 am services are Holy Communion services (Said), the 9:00 am service is a Holy Communion service (Sung), and the 6:00 pm service is an Evening service. The 9:00 am service is also live-streamed on the cathedral’s website.
• Weekday Services: There are daily services on weekdays, at 7:00 am and 6:00 pm. The 7:00 am service is a Morning Prayer service, and the 6:00 pm service is an Evening Prayer service. There are also Holy Communion services on Wednesdays and Fridays at 7:00 am and on Thursdays at 6:00 pm.
• Special Services: There are special services on festivals and occasions, such as Christmas, Easter, Pentecost, Harvest Festival, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, etc. The timings and details of these services are announced on the cathedral’s website and bulletin board.

Summary: The St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore conducts regular and special services on Sundays and weekdays, at different timings and formats. You can attend any of these services, or watch the live stream of the 9:00 am Sunday service.

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St Marks Cathedral Bangalore History

The St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore has a rich and fascinating history, dating back to the colonial era. The church was established as a garrison church of the Madras Army of the East India Company in 1808 and was the only government church in Bangalore. The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Calcutta in 1816. The church was modeled on the lines of St Paul’s Cathedral, London, with a dome, semi-circular chancel, and Roman arches.

The church underwent several expansions and reconstructions over the years, due to the increase in the number of members and the damage caused by fire and collapse. The church was expanded in 1901, and reconstructed in 1906, 1923, and 1927. 

The church also witnessed several historical events, such as the visit of King George V and Queen Mary in 1911, the transfer of power from the British to the Indian government in 1947, and the formation of the Church of South India in 1947. The church became the Cathedral of the Karnataka Central Diocese in 1961, and the first Indian Presbyter was installed in the same year.

The church also has a military heritage, as it displays the colors of the 77th Moplah Rifles Infantry Regiment, which was disbanded in 1907, and the memorial plaques for several British officers who lost their lives in the Bangalore Cantonment and the Moplah Revolt. 

There is also a memorial plaque for Lt.-Col Sir Walter Scott, 2nd Baronet, who died at sea in 1847, and was the nephew of Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott².

Summary: The St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore has a rich and fascinating history, dating back to the colonial era. The church was established as a garrison church in 1808 and was modeled on the St Paul’s Cathedral, in London.

The church underwent several expansions and reconstructions and witnessed several historical events. The church also has a military heritage, as it displays the colors and the memorial plaques of various regiments and officers.

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St Marks Cathedral Bangalore Christmas Celebration

The St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore celebrates Christmas with great joy and enthusiasm, as it is one of the most important festivals of the Christian faith. The cathedral organizes various events and programs during the Advent season, such as carol singing, Christmas tree lighting, crib making, cake sale, etc.

The cathedral also hosts special services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, attended by hundreds of people from different backgrounds and denominations.

The Christmas Eve service is held at 11:00 pm and features the traditional candlelight procession, the reading of the Christmas story, the singing of hymns and carols, and the Holy Communion. The service is followed by the ringing of the bells and the distribution of cake and coffee.

The Christmas Day service is held at 9:00 am and features the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, the preaching of the gospel, the offering of prayers and thanksgiving, and the Holy Communion. The service is followed by the sharing of greetings and gifts.

The St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore Christmas celebration is a wonderful opportunity to experience Christmas’s true meaning and spirit, which is the love of God and the peace of Christ. The celebration is also a way to express the unity and diversity of the Christian community and to spread the message of hope and joy to the world.

Summary: The St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore celebrates Christmas with great joy and enthusiasm, as it is one of the most important festivals of the Christian faith. The cathedral organizes various events and programs during the Advent season and hosts special services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, attended by hundreds of people from different backgrounds and denominations.

The celebration is a wonderful opportunity to experience the true meaning and spirit of Christmas and to spread the message of hope and joy to the world.

How to Reach St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore

The St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore is easily accessible from different parts of the city by various modes of transportation, such as bus, metro, auto, taxi, or car. Here are the details of the different modes of transportation:

• Bus: This is the most economical and eco-friendly way to reach the St Marks Cathedral from anywhere in the city. You can take a BMTC bus from any major bus stop, and get down at the MG Road bus stop, which is the nearest bus stop to the cathedral. The distance is about 500 meters, and the walk takes about 10 minutes.
• Metro: This is the most convenient and fast way to reach the St Mark’s Cathedral from distant city areas. You can take the Namma Metro Purple Line from any metro station, and get down at the MG Road metro station, which is the nearest metro station to the cathedral. The distance is about 600 meters, and the walk takes about 15 minutes.
• Auto: This is the most common and easy way to reach the St Mark’s Cathedral from nearby city areas. You can hail an auto rickshaw from any street corner, and ask the driver to take you to the cathedral. The fare is based on the meter, and the average fare is around 50 to 100 rupees.
• Taxi or Car: This is the most comfortable and flexible way to reach the St Marks Cathedral from any part of the city. You can book a taxi or a cab online or offline, and choose from different types of vehicles, such as sedan, SUV, or hatchbacks. The fare is based on the distance and the time, and the average fare is around 200 to 400 rupees. You can also drive your car, and park it at the cathedral’s parking lot, which has a capacity of 50 cars.

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Final Thoughts on St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore

The St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore is a must-visit destination for anyone who wants to experience the history and beauty of the Church of South India and its Anglican heritage. You can attend the regular or special services, and witness the magnificent architecture and the serene atmosphere of the cathedral.

You can also learn about the rich and fascinating history of the cathedral and its military and cultural significance. You can also enjoy the Christmas celebration, which is one of the most vibrant and joyful events of the year.

We hope this blog post has given you a comprehensive and informative guide to the St Mark’s Cathedral Bangalore. If you have any questions or suggestions, please feel free to leave a comment below.

Thank you for reading and happy visiting!