Sardhana Our Lady of Graces Churchyard
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
Sardhana (Meerut District)
Tel: 0123-723-6127
email: [email protected]
website: SardhanaChurch.org
Located 19 km northwest of Meerut is the Basilica Church of Our Lady of Graces, the largest Catholic church in Northern India. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it has long been a center of Marian devotion and pilgrimage.
Built by Farzana, Begum Sumru, the Warrior Queen of Sardhana who was baptized at Akbar Catholic Church in Agra by Rev. Fr. Gregory on 07 May 1781--three years after her first husband died.
Designed by the Italian architect Anthony Reghelini of Vicenza to emulate St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the interior integrates some Indian influence as well. Two huge lakes nearby are the result of all the mud removed to supply building material for its construction.
An inscription over the main door states the church's foundations were dedicated "according to the Roman Catholic rite" in 1822. It was solemnly blessed by Bishop Pezzoni of Agra in 1829.
After the church was completed and until after the death of the Begum, Sardhana had its own Bishop and the church then had the official status of being a Cathedral.
In December of 1961, Pope John XXIII raised the church to the dignity of a Minor Basilica. It is the only Catholic church of such status in Northern India, and one of just 19 in the entire country.
Sardhana (Meerut District)
Tel: 0123-723-6127
email: [email protected]
website: SardhanaChurch.org
Located 19 km northwest of Meerut is the Basilica Church of Our Lady of Graces, the largest Catholic church in Northern India. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, it has long been a center of Marian devotion and pilgrimage.
Built by Farzana, Begum Sumru, the Warrior Queen of Sardhana who was baptized at Akbar Catholic Church in Agra by Rev. Fr. Gregory on 07 May 1781--three years after her first husband died.
Designed by the Italian architect Anthony Reghelini of Vicenza to emulate St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, the interior integrates some Indian influence as well. Two huge lakes nearby are the result of all the mud removed to supply building material for its construction.
An inscription over the main door states the church's foundations were dedicated "according to the Roman Catholic rite" in 1822. It was solemnly blessed by Bishop Pezzoni of Agra in 1829.
After the church was completed and until after the death of the Begum, Sardhana had its own Bishop and the church then had the official status of being a Cathedral.
In December of 1961, Pope John XXIII raised the church to the dignity of a Minor Basilica. It is the only Catholic church of such status in Northern India, and one of just 19 in the entire country.
Nearby cemeteries
Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, India
- Total memorials297
- Percent photographed31%
- Percent with GPS4%
- Added: 14 Aug 2014
- Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 2550547
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