Malik Sumeed
Srinagar 24 December (KNB): The Christian community in Srinagar has thanked UT administration for restoring St. Luke’s church and termed it a Christmas gift from the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“It has been a long cherished dream for us to be able to pray in this church. Our dream has come true,” Kennedy, a member of the community, told news gathering agency KNB.
Members of the community have started to visit the historical church to pray, after it was inaugurated by the Lt Governor Manoj Sinha.
“It’s a Christmas gift to us from the people of Kashmir, who took upon themselves to restore this historic church for prayers,” they said, adding, the Kashmir administration has taken initiative for this that must be praised.
Other members of the community urged people to come and visit the church.
“It’s a holy place, people should come and join hands to pray for peace and tranquillity,” he said.
On Thursday Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the reopening ceremony of historic St. Luke’s Church.
“Reopening of St Luke’s Church in Srinagar after restoration is a historic occasion to celebrate and imbibe Lord Christ’s message of sacrifice, service, redemption, love and compassion”, observed the Lt Governor yesterday.
The Lt Governor said that the St Luke’s Church is a unique symbol of J&K’s composite culture, which was built in 1896 on the southwest slope of Shankaracharya Hill.
The Lt Governor congratulated the citizens of J&K, especially the Christian community and all the artisans involved in the renovation and conservation, besides the officials associated with the Smart City program.
“On the eve of Christmas, when we remember Jesus Christ, let us also reiterate our strong resolve to follow the path of truth, non-violence and universal brotherhood. Every person should sincerely play their part in promoting harmony in society”, the Lt Governor said.
St Luke’s Church is a single-storey building constructed on a cruciform plan. The Church follows the Gothic Style of Architecture which is distinct from the other important monuments dotted in the landscape of Srinagar. Attached to the porch, there is a bell tower which is three-story in height, mounted by a high pitched CGI roof with dormer gables on each side. (KNB)