Quick answer: The Sacred Heart Cathedral is the Roman Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Delhi, at 1 Ashok Place near Gole Dak Khana, close to Connaught Place and opposite Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Designed by the British architect Henry Medd, it was begun in 1930 and blessed on 8 December 1935. Entry is free; the cathedral’s website lists Mass times that change between winter (November to March) and summer (April to October), and they are given below as of October 2026.
Sacred Heart Cathedral at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1 Ashok Place, near Gole Dak Khana, New Delhi 110001 |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic; cathedral of the Archdiocese of Delhi |
| Architect | Henry Medd |
| Built | Foundation stone 1929; construction from 1930; blessed 8 December 1935 |
| Entry fee | Free |
| Mass times | See the table below (cathedral website, October 2026) |
| Nearby metro | Patel Chowk (Yellow Line) and RK Ashram Marg (Blue Line), then a short walk or auto ride |
Mass timings
The cathedral’s website lists the following Mass schedule for the cathedral itself, as of October 2026. Timings can change for feasts and special services, so check the notices on the cathedral website (sacredheartcathedraldelhi.org) before you go.
| Day | Winter (November to March) | Summer (April to October) |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays | 6:30 am, 1 pm, 6 pm | 6 am, 1 pm, 6:30 pm |
| Saturday (Sunday anticipated Mass) | 6 pm (English) | Not listed separately; check notices |
| Sunday | 6:30 am (English), 7:30 am (Malayalam), 9 am (English), 10:15 am (Hindi), 11:30 am (English), 4 pm (Hindi), 6 pm (English) | 6:30 am (English), 7:30 am (Malayalam), 9 am (English), 10:15 am (Hindi), 11:30 am (English) |
An earlier version of this article said the church is open from 6:30 am to 6 pm every day. The cathedral does not publish general visiting hours on its website, so plan your visit around the Mass times and check locally if you want to visit between services.
History of the Sacred Heart Cathedral
The cathedral’s story begins with the Catholic mission of Agra, which then covered Delhi. In April 1919 Archbishop Evangelista Latino Enrico Vanni of Agra sent Father Luke Vannucci, a Capuchin friar, to Delhi to serve St Mary’s Church, act as chaplain to British forces and build a new church for the new capital. A plot of about 14 acres was acquired in the early 1920s; the cathedral’s own history gives both 1920 and 1922 for the purchase.
Eight architects were invited to submit designs. The jury, which included Sir Edwin Lutyens, chose the plan by Henry Medd, with changes to the façade. Archbishop Vanni blessed the land and laid the foundation stone in 1929, and building began in 1930. Raising funds was difficult; donations were collected, and Sir Malcolm Hailey helped arrange an interest-free loan. The work took about five years.
The cathedral was blessed on 8 December 1935 by the papal internuncio, Leo Kierkels, in the presence of six other bishops. Sir Anthony de Mello donated the main altar of Carrara marble, and Archbishop Vanni gave the bell, the vestments, the sanctuary furniture and the cathedra, the bishop’s chair from which the word “cathedral” comes.
An earlier version of this article said the foundation stone was laid by “famous revolutionary Dr. E. Vanni” and that the Archbishop of Agra gave the altar. In fact the foundation stone was laid by Archbishop Evangelista Vanni of Agra, and the altar was donated by Sir Anthony de Mello.
Later milestones
- 1986: Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral a day after arriving in New Delhi at the start of his India visit, which began on 1 February 1986.
- 1991: The Last Supper mural and the façade were restored.
- 1999: Pope John Paul II returned to Delhi on 6 November 1999, when he released the apostolic exhortation Ecclesia in Asia.
- 2004: After major renovation, the cathedral reopened on 18 July 2004.
- 2011: A bronze statue of Pope John Paul II was unveiled in the grounds on 1 February 2011.
Three former Archbishops of Delhi, Joseph Fernandes, Angelo Fernandes and Alan de Lastic, are buried in the sanctuary.
Architecture
Henry Medd gave the cathedral an Italian-influenced design. Its white façade has a portico supported on white pillars, and circular arcaded turrets rise on either side of the entrance. Inside, a high curved roof and broad arches cover a large nave with polished stone floors.
Behind the marble altar is a large mural of the Last Supper. A statue of the Virgin Mary stands to one side, and the bronze statue of Pope John Paul II stands in the grounds. The 14-acre campus is shared with two well-known schools, St Columba’s School and the Convent of Jesus and Mary.
Christmas and Easter
The cathedral is the focus of Catholic life in Delhi, and its Christmas and Easter services draw very large congregations, including many visitors from other faiths. The Christmas Eve midnight Mass is especially crowded, so arrive well before the service starts.
How to reach
- Metro: Patel Chowk (Yellow Line) and RK Ashram Marg (Blue Line) are both within a short auto-rickshaw ride.
- Road: The cathedral is at Ashok Place, by the Gole Dak Khana roundabout, a short distance from Connaught Place and opposite Gurudwara Bangla Sahib. Buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis serve the area.
- Rail and air: New Delhi railway station is a short taxi ride away; from the airport, take the Airport Express or a taxi into central Delhi.
An earlier version of this article named Patel Nagar as the nearest metro station. Patel Nagar is in west Delhi; Patel Chowk, in central Delhi, is the station meant.
Visiting tips
- Dress modestly and keep silent inside the cathedral.
- Avoid walking around during Mass; sit quietly at the back if you arrive during a service.
- Ask before taking photographs inside, and never photograph during services.
Nearby places
Gurudwara Bangla Sahib is directly across the road. Connaught Place is a short ride away, and nearby are Jantar Mantar and the stepwell of Agrasen ki Baoli.
Frequently asked questions
What are the Sunday Mass timings at the Sacred Heart Cathedral?
As of October 2026, the cathedral’s website lists Sunday Masses at 6:30 am, 7:30 am (Malayalam), 9 am, 10:15 am (Hindi) and 11:30 am all year, plus 4 pm (Hindi) and 6 pm from November to March. Check the cathedral’s notices for changes.
Who designed the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Delhi?
The British architect Henry Medd. His design was chosen by a jury that included Sir Edwin Lutyens.
When was the Sacred Heart Cathedral built?
The foundation stone was laid in 1929, construction began in 1930, and the cathedral was blessed on 8 December 1935.
Is there an entry fee?
No. The cathedral is a place of worship and entry is free.
Did Pope John Paul II visit the Sacred Heart Cathedral?
Yes. He visited during his India tour in February 1986, and a bronze statue of him was unveiled in the cathedral grounds in 2011.
Details checked in October 2026 against the Sacred Heart Cathedral’s own website and history page and Delhi Tourism’s description of the cathedral. Mass times change for feasts and seasons, so check the cathedral’s notices before you go.
