Christ Church Ahmednagar

Christ Church, located opposite Cantonment office in the camp area of Bhingar, is unarguably the most renowned and also the most sacred church for Catholic Christens of Ahmednagar city. With a magnificent building that stands on the plot of 4.95 acres and surrounded by immense lush greenery, this church also boosts pretty interesting and rich history.

The history of this famous church spans across 150 years, invariably making it one of oldest churches of Ahmednagar district. The construction of this church began in 1850s and was eventually completed in year 1858. But, the most interesting aspect about the construction of this church is that its construction wasn’t initiated by local Christians but British Cantonment (army) that had stationed in Ahmednagar city during 1850’s. The British officers and soldiers were completely saddened by the fact that there wasn’t a single church in the vicinity for offering their prayers. As a result the idea of constructing a huge church in the vicinity of Cantonment office was touted and this church eventually became a reality.

Even though Christ Church had become completely operational in year 1858, it was however only exclusively opened for British officers and soldiers. In fact from 1858 to 1947, only British officers and soldiers used to visit this church. It was only after 1947, i.e. after India’s independence, that local Christians began visiting this church.
 
Another very interesting and must-mentioned-information about the history of this church is that in year 1957, as the church was all set to celebrate its centenary year (100 years of completion), a major part of the church building was completely destroyed in huge flood that had overwhelmed Ahmednagar city. However, local Christians took this huge catastrophe by stride and immediately restored the renovation of the church building. Although renovation was hectic and demanding, the entire task was completed within one year itself. In fact the Christmas event in the following year (i.e. 1958) was celebrated with lot of fun fare to mark & celebrate the renovation of the building.  

Today the Christ Church is the most sacred destination for the local Christians of Ahmednagar city. Every Sunday hundreds of local Christians visit this church for mass prayer. And of course on the auspicious Christmas day and Good Friday the church is thronged by hordes of Christian devotees, who come to seek the blessings of Lord Christ.
                       
Address
Christ Church, Opp. Cantoment Board office,
Near ACC&S, Camp Bhingar,
Ahmednagar - 414002,
Phone: (0241) 2328338,
E-mail: christchurch.ahm@gmail.com, prabhakar_d_john@yahoo.com.