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The city of Pune is one of the most loved cities in the state of Maharashtra. A city flooded with a balance of the college-going youth population and retirement loving residual settlements. With a fully functional airport and all top-of-the-line infrastructure, this city has been on the list of many curious travellers. Apart from the royal forts and the palaces that are a landmark to the city, there are also many churches in Pune that are a must-see.
Being a hub for culture and tradition, the churches in the city are looked after by utmost care. The city has some of the most eccentric colonial churches as the footprints of the British were quite high in Pune in the 1800s. Bring a metropolitan and a city of the youth, there is bubbling energy here that is hard to recreate.
Top 10 Churches In Pune
There are many churches in Pune and one can be spoiled for choice. Depending on what you are looking for there is a pick for you. From mesmerizing old churches to simple chapels that will flood your mind with spirituality. All of the churches in Pune showcases architecture from the ancient times. These are not only a treat for the soul but also for the eyes. Here are some of the churches to consider when in the city.
- St. Xavier’s Catholic Church – The Oldest One
- St. Mary’s Church – The One From British Era
- All Saints’ Anglican Church – The Most Beautiful One
- St. Paul’s Anglican Church – The Charming Stonework One
- St. Anthony’s Catholic Church – The Cozy One
- St. Patrick’s Cathedral – The Eventful One
- The Church Of Holy Name – The Unique One
- Church Of Our Lady Of Perpetual Help – The Royal One
- St. Mary’s Syro-Malankara Catholic Church – The Calm One
- Methodist Church – The Simple Yet Elegant One
1. St. Xavier’s Catholic Church – The Oldest One
Situated on St. Vincent’s road, this church was one of the oldest in the city. Dating as long as 150 years back, the church is a beautiful rustic design, with a breathtaking spiritual aura. Back in the days, the church was established by Portuguese Missionaries during their voyage to India. The church has a stunning high ceiling with minimal designs and functional lighting.
From the outside, the building looks like it was part of a fantasy epic, with its tall windows and wall-embossed statues. The church has a beautiful garden on it’s back that increases its natural beauty. The bell tower and the tall wooden doors are some characteristics that are hard to find in the churches of today. Visiting this place is one of the must-try things to do in Pune!
Opening hours: 9 am to 7 pm (Mondays to Saturdays), 9 am to 12 noon (Sundays)
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2. St. Mary’s Church – The One From British Era
Dates as old as 1820, this church was built as a tribute to the soldiers of the British era. The church is also called the “Mother church of the Deccan” since it is one of the oldest standing churches in the region. The church has a distinct colonial design with a unique blend of colors. With all those vibrant colors, it is one of the perfect places to visit in Pune in summer.
The ashy color of the church and it’s tall pillars in the front make it look like a mighty source of energy. The unique use of red tiles on the top of the main pilled brings out a design like no other. There is a subtle use of tall trees in the front, with a sophisticated looking garden. On the inside, the hall has large columns and a wood-planked roof. The chapel is made from beautiful glass paintings that shimmer in the sunlight.
Opening hours: 7:30 am to 6 pm, everyday
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3. All Saints’ Anglican Church – The Most Beautiful One
This is one of the churches in Pune that look like it was taken from a fairy tale. The chapel inside the church has a polished design with impeccable use of symmetry. The minimals colors and the wood-made arch of the praying area looks crisp and classy.
Most of the original design of the church is still in place and they hold regular mass. The trees outside with their cherry blossom colors just add to the sanctity of the shrine. On the outside the is made from sold stones with an interesting pattern all along the sides. The typical glass painted windows are a common sight in most of the churches of this era.
Opening hours: 8 am to 1 pm (Sundays), Closed (Mondays to Saturdays)
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4. St. Paul’s Anglican Church – The Charming Stonework One
A mesmerizing stone structure church in the heart of Pune is just what you need to check out. The simple stonework with clever use of pain has made this church one of the most unique looking shrines in the region. Be it with those spiritual minds, or just the people looking to check out work out art — this church is everything you are looking for.
The tall wooden entrance, the bell tower, and the red and white interiors, all blend perfectly together to create a perfect space. At night, when the lights come on, the building looks magical and can even be spotted from miles away. The church has a service managed by the youth that is highly talked about and appreciated by all members of the community.
Opening hours: NA
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5. St. Anthony’s Catholic Church – The Cozy One
This is one of those warm and cozy churches in Pune. This place of worship is located inside the campus of Vidya Bhavan school and college. The church has been maintained beautifully by the school and the students alike. While the outside of the church is bursting with the enthusiasm of the children, the chapel inside is calm and quiet. The laughter and chirpiness of little ones makes it one of the fun places in Pune.
You do not need to be a student of the school to visit this church, so it can be added to your list. The building is practical and can seat a large mass. There is a beautiful stone wall on the front of the church with a statue of Mother Mary. There is the regular mass in this church by various pastors on Saturday and Sunday. There is also a choir on both the days that has drawn the attention of many.
Opening hours: 6:30 am and 6:30 pm (Weekday Mass), 6:30 pm (Saturday Mass), 7:30 am and 8:30 am (Sunday Mass)
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6. St. Patrick’s Cathedral – The Eventful One
This is another one of the ancient churches in Pune. The church was built in the year 1850 and then over time has been transformed into the wonder that it stands to be today. This is a prominent church to the community since the bishop of Pune stays here.
They hold regular masses and host events to enhance the sense of community. There is a mass here on each Sunday that is highly regarded in the city. The cathedral is also a hub for art. The walls and the ceiling are filled with eye-catchy artwork. The white and blue colors of the look royal when they shimmer in the rays of the bright sun.
Opening hours: 6:30 am, 7 am, 6 pm (Weekdays Mass), 6:30 am, 7 am, 6:30 pm ( Saturday Mass), 6 am, 7:15 am, 8:30 am, 9:45 am (Sundays)
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7. The Church Of Holy Name – The Unique One
A unique church with a clock tower that scales to a height of 130 feet. This tall stone-tower can be seen standing high from many of the buildings in the city. This church is a gothic-style church of the catholic faith. This has been part of the cityscape of Pune for so many generations now. Built by the British in the year 1885, the amazing stone design of the tower and the church have braved the test of time.
The use of red and white on the church walls create a beautiful cinematic pop. The red-carpeted floor and the high ceiling that rests on tall pillars is a beautiful sight. The chapple is long and breathtaking, yet has a surreal sense of calm. The gold-artwork on the walls and the colorful windows are some of the charismatic design elements of the church.
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 1 pm, 4 pm to 6 pm (Mondays to Fridays), 9:30 am to 1 pm (Saturdays)
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8. Church Of Our Lady Of Perpetual Help – The Royal One
A larger than life church in the heart of the city. Places right next to the railway station, the church is often getting a lot of curious travelers. The large church is well lit at night and looks royal. They have tall glass windows with light beaming out of them. After a recent round of renovation, this church has become one of the must-visit for the people of the area.
Their inside chapel is subtly decorated with the use of natural wood. There is a statue of Mother Mary in all its glory on the entrance that draws your attention as you enter. The church is highly active with a mass on all days. The mass on Saturday evening is one of the most iconic for the church and draws a large crowd.
Opening hours: NA
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9. St. Mary’s Syro-Malankara Catholic Church – The Calm One
The church is set up on off the Mumbai-Bengaluru highway. Many believe that the purpose of the church is to bless the passersby on their journey. Since this is off the highway, many travelers stop by this place to get a piece of the calm.
There is a church that is simple and practical with some unique design features. At night the lights of the church can be seen far down the road on the highway. There is also a small garden at the front of the church that provides a refreshing resting ground for travellers. Since it has ample parking, many also consider stopping here on their road trips to other destinations to take a spiritual break.
Opening hours: 8:30 am to 7:30 pm
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10. Methodist Church – The Simple Yet Elegant One
One of the other centrally located churches in Pune, along the Khadki Area near the main market. The church is a popular spot for followers of the faith and tourists alike. With a simple stone wall exterior, the church is warm and cozy. The distinct feature of this church is the bell tower on the front of the church.
The inside of the church is as mild as the outside. With a simple bench setup and a minimal wood-design background. The small plans in the area around the church add to its refreshing vibe. The church is really popular among the locals as it has service in Kannada, Marathi, English, and Tamil.
Opening hours: Open 24 hours only on Sundays
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These churches in Pune mentioned above beautifully depict the religious as well as spiritual aspects of the locals. The architecture as well as interiors of these churches are worth witnessing. Make sure you add most of them to your travel plan for a memorable Pune trip.
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