The Burning of St. Mark’s Church in Colonial Bangalore
Two contrasting photographs from 1923 offer a glimpse into the long and turbulent history of St Mark’s Church in British-era Bangalore (Bengaluru). One image shows the majestic church in its earlier glory, while the other captures the devastating aftermath of a fire that left the structure in ruins.
Inside the burnt church, a group of British soldiers and civilians is seen amid charred beams and collapsed masonry. St Mark’s Church sits on St Mark’s Road. It is flanked by South Parade Road (today’s M. G. Road) on one side and the historic Bowring Institute on the other. Just a short walk away lies Cubbon Park, one of Bengaluru’s most iconic green spaces.
St Mark’s traces its origins back to 1808, when it was established as a small garrison church under the Madras Presidency of the East India Company. As Bangalore grew into a significant military cantonment town, the congregation expanded rapidly, making the modest original structure inadequate.
To accommodate the growing European population, a grander building was envisioned. A new church structure was completed in 1902, but tragedy struck when it collapsed shortly after completion. By 1906, St Mark’s Church had been rebuilt, stronger and more spacious. It became one of the most prominent religious landmarks of colonial Bangalore.
In 1923, disaster struck again. A severe fire, believed to have been caused by a short circuit, gutted the church. During renovation efforts in 1924, the weakened structure collapsed once again, compounding the church’s misfortune. Rebuilding efforts began anew in 1926, this time with reinforced design and careful engineering. By 1927, St Mark’s Church rose once more, restored and strengthened. Click image to enlarge.
Did you know – it was the only church under the control of the East India Company’s Madras Presidency.
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