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Lonavala is one of the most popular hill stations in India. It is a small hilly town in the state of Maharashtra in Pune district. The town is a part of the Western Ghats and usually draped in a thick cloudy cover throughout the year. Lonavala is especially beautiful in the monsoons, and most of its tourism is concentrated in the monsoon months. Known for a local candy called “chikki”, the small town is inhabited by people from all faiths and cultures.
One of the many faiths that finds a place in these wetlands is Christianity. This is possible through the many churches in Lonavala. Many people from nearby cities of Pune and Mumbai have also come here to practice and propagate their faith. If you ever want to visit then don’t forget to pray or just marvel at the history and architecture of these churches in Lonavala.
11 Popular Churches In Lonavala
We have tried to list down some of the most popular and magnificent churches in Lonavala. Consider visiting these places of worship on your next visit to this beautiful hill station.
1. St Joseph’s Catholic Church
2. St Mary’s Catholic Church
3. Don Bosco Church
4. Marathi Methodist Church
5. All Saints’ Anglican Church
6. St Joseph’s RC Church
7. The Pentecostal Mission Church
8. Asha Seva Kendra
9. Church Of Nazarene
10. St Anthony’s Church
11. Holy Redeemer Church
1. St Joseph’s Catholic Church
The St Joseph Catholic Church is one of the most popular churches in Lonavala. It is situated really close to the Lonavala railway station in Siddharth Nagar Area. This is a very small church with a long history. Built in the 19th century, this church is hidden behind the local marketplace and takes some effort to locate. It is frequented by many practitioners and always welcomes more people into this place of worship.
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2. St Mary’s Catholic Church
Situated in the quiet neighbourhood of Nagargaon on Bara Bungalow Road, The St Mary’s Catholic Church is another popular church in Lonavala. It is a church started by Kerala missionaries. As a result, the masses here are conducted in Malayalam. The calm, peaceful and serene location of the church is what draws the people into this Church.
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3. Don Bosco Church
Tungarli in Lonavala is home to the Don Bosco School and Study Centre. The school grounds also house the Don Bosco Church. It is a very well designed and modern church. The people come here to pray and take in the peaceful atmosphere. The church conducts Sunday mass every week which is attended by many people.
The choir sings hymns and prayers and consists of the boys that study at this boarding school. They put up a performance using keyboards and guitars to mesmerise the visitors.
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4. Marathi Methodist Church
This is one of the smaller churches in Lonavala. Situated in Rao Colony, this church is popular among the local Marathi population. The Sunday Mass is held early in the morning at 7 am. The service is held in Marathi language but you are welcome to visit even if you don’t know Marathi. You like the location of this church as its premises are quite open, peaceful and away from town’s hustle and bustle.
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5. All Saints’ Anglican Church
This is another church in the quiet and calm neighbourhood of Rao Colony in Lonavala. The All Saints’ Anglican Church was built at the beginning of the 20th Century in the year 1908, in memory of William Shipp. Be sure to check out the old and rustic plaques and wooden rafters and pews for a sense of their history. The church premises also have a school where local kids study.
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6. St Joseph’s RC Church
One of the oldest churches in Lonavala is the St Joseph’s RC Church. It was blessed by Bishop Walter Steins and is dedicated towards St Joseph. The church has a rustic and old appearance and ambience as it was built way back in the year 1862. This is quite a big church complex and holds masses every Sunday at 10.30 am. For regular churchgoers, the service usually culminates in games organized by the church committee.
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7. The Pentecostal Mission Church
This church was especially built by the Pentecostal Mission to induct and welcome new conversions and baptisms. It is situated behind the Kaveri Farm in Nagargaon and is frequented by parents of newborn babies and come here for the baptism of their child. The premises are peaceful and calm and provide peace to the visitor.
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8. Asha Seva Kendra
The Asha Seva Kendra was built on the Lonavala-Khandala Highway. It was established with a view to train and lead people in spirituality. Many people land here to receive guidance on their journey in life. The premises also have a hostel so that people who come here can stay for a longer duration if they wish to. Some activities that help people in their spiritual journey are weekend masses, charity work and music. Visit this church if you ever feel lost in life.
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9. Church Of Nazarene
Situated in Sri Swami Samarth Nagar in Khopoli, the Church of Nazarene is located on a highway in the outskirts of Lonavala. You can visit here on a weekend trip out of Lonavala. It is peaceful and calm. The church in its masses preaches people to practice love and compassion towards other fellow beings. This holy church was established half a decade ago to propagate friendship and love.
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10. St Anthony’s Church
The St Anthony’s Church is a Roman Catholic Church. It was built in the Katrang Grove area for the locals. It organises prayer services every day of the week except Tuesday. Masses on Sunday are held at 8 in the morning. It has recently been renovated and has become quite popular among churchgoers since then. The new Garden of Faith was also built as part of the renovation process. They organise music events, game shows and charity events for practitioners.
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11. Holy Redeemer Church
The outskirts of Lonavala are also home to a very popular church in the area known as Holy Redeemer Church. It is famous for organising family events like dinners, game shows, masses and magazine releases. It also acts as a very popular wedding location for locals.
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So there you go, we have jotted down the details for all the churches in Lonavala. The spiritual side of you must not take a backseat as spirituality and charity give the mind and body with much needed peace and calm. Make sure to visit these churches on your next visit to Lonavala, a beautiful hill station near Mumbai.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Churches In Lonavala
Is December a good time to visit Lonavala?
If you are visiting to see the churches in Lonavala, then December is an excellent time to visit the hill station. But, if you are visiting to see greenery and waterfalls, then Monsoon is your friend. In what language are masses held in Lonavala?
The masses are usually held in English and Marathi. What is the decorum to be followed in churches?
Churches are places of worship. They are a place to get a grasp on individual spirituality. As a result, church premises are calm and quiet. Hence, it is advisable to be quiet and not talk loudly. The younglings also need to be told to be quiet and disciplined. What should I wear to Churches in Lonavala?
You must always wear appropriate clothing when you visit churches. Since we are living in India, make sure you dress conservatively. Also, try to be hygienic and clean since you are going to be in a community environment. What is a church offering?
Church offering refers to any religious offering or sacrifice that is given in order to help your fellow beings and the poor and needy. This offering can include tithes paid to the church, charity for the poor, gifts and random acts of kindness.
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A graduate of Political Science, Gyana likes to explore by interacting with people and learning about their culture and traditions. He likes to eat, go places and talk about movies. A big fan of people and their pioneering spirit and an avid movie watcher, he is fascinated with world of imagination. He constantly seeks to grow and yearns to improvise with innovation that eventually provides solutions to problems.