Quick answer: Christ Church is the yellow neo-Gothic Anglican church on the Ridge in Shimla, built for the British community of the summer capital. Its foundation stone was laid on 9 September 1844 and it was consecrated on 10 January 1857, which makes it the second-oldest church in north India after St John’s Church in Meerut. It is designed by Colonel J. T. Boileau and is known for its stained-glass windows, its 1860 clock and a chancel window designed by Lockwood Kipling. There is no entry fee; opening hours are not officially published, so check at the church.
Christ Church Shimla at a glance
| Detail | What we verified (October 2026) |
|---|---|
| Location | The Ridge, central Shimla |
| Foundation stone | 9 September 1844, laid by Daniel Wilson, Bishop of Calcutta |
| Consecrated | 10 January 1857, by Thomas Dealtry, Bishop of Madras |
| Designed by | Colonel J. T. Boileau |
| Style | Neo-Gothic |
| Denomination today | Church of North India; services in Hindi and English |
| Entry fee | None |
| Timings | Not officially published; check at the church before visiting |
| Time needed | 30 minutes to an hour |
History of Christ Church
When Simla (as it was then spelled) became the summer retreat of the British government in India, its growing British and Anglo-Indian community asked for a church of their own. Colonel J. T. Boileau prepared the design in 1844, and Daniel Wilson, the Bishop of Calcutta, laid the foundation stone on 9 September 1844. The church was consecrated on 10 January 1857 by Thomas Dealtry, the Bishop of Madras. The cost at the time is estimated at 40,000 to 50,000 rupees.
Christ Church is usually described as the second-oldest church in north India, after St John’s Church in Meerut. It was built for the largely Anglican British community and now belongs to the Church of North India, with services in Hindi and English.
Several features were added after the consecration. Colonel Dumbleton donated the clock in 1860, and the porch was added in 1873. The pipe organ, made in Britain, was installed in September 1899 and extensively renovated in 1932; it is often described as the largest in the Indian subcontinent.
Corrections: an earlier version of this article gave the foundation date as 9 September 1884; the correct year is 1844. It also said the church took 11 years to build, that the government paid ₹12,000 of the cost and that it received a licence for services on 11 October 1846. We could not verify those details, so they have been removed.
Architecture: what to look for
- The exterior: the pale yellow walls, pointed arches and tall tower in the neo-Gothic style are visible from across the town and from the hills around Shimla.
- The stained-glass windows: the church has five stained-glass windows. One of them depicts the Christian virtues of Faith, Hope, Charity, Fortitude, Patience and Humility.
- The chancel window: designed by Lockwood Kipling, an artist and the father of the writer Rudyard Kipling.
- The clock: donated by Colonel Dumbleton in 1860. Its original mechanism was later replaced with an electrical one.
- The porch: added in 1873.
- The pipe organ: installed in 1899.
The inside of the church is simple compared with its exterior, so the windows and the organ are the highlights. The church is often lit up after dark, and in winter, when snow falls on the Ridge, it is one of the most photographed sights in Shimla.
Visiting Christ Church
Christ Church is a working place of worship. There is no entry fee, but opening hours are not officially published. An earlier version of this article said it was open from 8 am to 6 pm every day; we could not confirm this, so check at the church or with a local tourist office before you go, especially if you want to see the interior.
- Keep your voice low inside and switch your phone to silent.
- Ask before taking photographs inside, and do not photograph people at prayer.
- If you would like to attend a service, check the service times displayed at the church.
- Christmas and Easter are the busiest times, when the church and the Ridge are decorated.
How to reach Christ Church
- On foot: The church is on the Ridge, a short walk from the Mall and Scandal Point. Private vehicles are not allowed on the Ridge or the Mall.
- From the Cart Road: Take the HP Tourism lift up to the Mall and walk to the Ridge.
- By train or bus: From Shimla railway station or the Old Bus Stand, take a taxi towards the lift, then walk up.
Places to visit nearby
The church stands on the Ridge, which meets the Mall Road at Scandal Point. The Gaiety Theatre is a few minutes’ walk away, and Jakhu Temple is about 2.5 km uphill from the Ridge, according to Himachal Pradesh Tourism.
Frequently asked questions
Who built Christ Church in Shimla?
It was designed by Colonel J. T. Boileau and built for Shimla’s British community. Bishop Daniel Wilson of Calcutta laid the foundation stone in 1844.
When was Christ Church Shimla consecrated?
On 10 January 1857.
Is Christ Church the oldest church in north India?
No. It is usually described as the second oldest, after St John’s Church in Meerut.
Is there an entry fee for Christ Church?
No. It is a working church and entry is free. Check at the church for current opening hours.
Who designed the chancel window?
Lockwood Kipling, the father of Rudyard Kipling.
History and architecture were checked in October 2026 against published records of the church’s construction and fittings, and Himachal Pradesh Tourism’s Shimla page. Opening hours are not officially published, so check at the church.
