St. Stephen’s Church stands tall as one of the most important churches in Ooty. The design of the church reflects the rich cultural heritage of the past. The church is different from other churches in the region because of the large component of wood that has gone into its designing and construction.

Location

St. Stephen’s Church is situated on the Ooty-Mysore Road in Ooty. It is one of the oldest churches of the Nilgiris and a major tourist destination because of its unique, imposing structure and serene surroundings.

History

The history of St. Stephen’s Church dates back to the 19th century. The idea of a building a church in the region was floated by the then Governor of Madras, Stephen Lushington. It was planned as a prayer place, exclusively for the British. The foundation of the church was laid in 1829, on the birthday of King George IV. The church was consecrated by Bishop of Calcutta, Sir John Matthias Turner in 1830 and opened to the locals on the Easter Sunday of April 3, 1831.

The Architecture

The unique architecture of St. Stephen’s Church is its key attraction. The Captain of the Madras Regiment, John James Underwood was the chief architect of the church. The gigantic main beam and other woodwork for the church were taken from Tipu Sultan's Srirangapatanam palace. The church has a painting depicting the Last Supper on the western side wall.

Other Key Features

Other major features of the church include the stained glass windows that depict the crucifixion of Christ and Mary holding baby Jesus in her arms. There are four hammer-like structures installed using wires on the V-shaped wooden planks instead of the traditional bells. When the wire is pulled, the arrangement creates musical sound. The church also features a pulpit that can be reached using a flight of steps on the chancel. There are bench-like seats with backs in the cellar attached to the Church. The stained glass windows are easily one of the major attractions of the church.

Information for Visitors

The church’s visiting hours are from 1000 hrs to 1300 hrs and 1500 hrs to 1700 hrs on all days. On Sunday, there is a service from 0800 hrs to 1100 hrs.

How to Reach

By Road

St. Stephen’s Church is on the Ooty-Mysore Road and easily reachable by road. Ooty is a major tourist destination of the state and has very well developed infrastructure and roads. There are state-run buses available from all major cities and towns of the state to Ooty.

By Rail

Lovedale Junction is the nearest railway station at 3 kilometers from the church.

By Air

The nearest airport is Coimbatore Airport at 56 kilometers from the church.