Macfarlane Memorial Church

Macfarlane Memorial Church in Kalimpong is simply an excellent and remarkable architectural structure built during British rule. Sketched in the Scottish church style, this extraordinary church in Kalimpong belongs to the Gothic Revival School of architecture. It’s tower and peaks that further enhances its magnificence was added later. Visible from almost every region of Kalimpong, the church stands as an exceptional visual delight and a remarkable landmark located near to the heart of town.

Macfarlane Memorial Church Travel Tips:

1. Photography requires permission from the Church authorities.

2. Eating and drinking are not allowed inside the church.

3. Visitors are expected to maintain the decorum of the church.

4. Macfarlane Memorial Church Timings

5. There is morning/afternoon worship every Sunday from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm and this is the best time to visit the church.

6. Please enquire before you visit.

History

This magnificent Church is 128 years old from the time of its foundation stone being laid on and 127 years from the time of its dedication. Its foundation stone was laid on 24 February 1890 and it was inaugurated on 1st November 1891. Even though the designs and the vogue of ‘Mc Farlane Memorial Church Kalimpong’ are Scottish, the workers employed for its construction were the locals or the native inhabitants.

Who made this church?

The church was named after Rev. William MacFarlane who was the first Scottish Missionary to visit Darjeeling in 1870 and the first missionary to come to Kalimpong. William MacFarlane was the first person to take initiative for setting up the first missionary schools in Kalimpong, He also helped to uplift the poor Tibetan community in Kalimpong.

How to Reach Macfarlane Memorial Church

Set at an elevation of 4100 ft, Kalimpong is a beautiful hill station located in the northern side of West Bengal. People from all over the world visit the destination to enjoy its natural beauty and tranquillity. One of the best things about this place is it is well-connected to various regions of the country via road, rail, and air.

Chitrey Bus Stop and Tista Bazar Bus Stop are the nearby bus stops to this place.

The nearest railhead to this place is the New Jalpaiguri railway station located at a distance of 77 km from Kalimpong.

Bagdogra airport is the nearest airport to Kalimpong which is 79 km away.

What is it famous for?

It is famous for the sermons it gives out in ten different languages, namely, Chinese, Urdu, Lepcha, Hindi, English, Bodo, Nepali, Bengali, Sanskrit and Tibetan. The church was closed down due to damages on it during the earthquake, in September 2011. It is a magnificent and tall building hailing the devotees ever since its construction.

Tourists spots nearby Macfarlane memorial Church

Explore the list of places to visit in Kalimpong before you plan your trip.

Lepcha museum

The Lepcha museum is at a distance of 2 Km. from the main city that offers comprehensive details about the Lepcha culture and heritage to the tourist. The area of Sikkim and Darjeeling is known as Lepcha on the museum is named. It has a collection of various musical instruments, articles, documents, clothing, etc. relating to this particular culture.

Nature Interpretation Centre

The forest department built this Centre which is 1900 and it is still operated by them. The place high points the flora, fauna and shows how local people are interacting with ecology. The center has photographs and samples of animals like butterflies, beetles, etc.

Tongsa Gumba

Tongsa or Tsonga Gompa is situated at a distance of 1 km from the heart of the city. This is the ancient Buddhist monastery in town constructed in 1630. However, the currently seen Gompa is the revamped one, after the Gurkhas in Sikkim demolished the original Gompa. The original Gompa was made under the Bhutanese rule.

Samthar Plateau

Samthar Plateau is positioned at a height of 4500 ft. and is at the closeness to Lava Hills. The plateau is famous among the tourists. Anyone can have a breath-taking view of surrounding ranges from here. The Plateau also gives a range of exciting events like

• Angling,

• Walking tours,

• Mountain biking and

• Nature and cultural explorations on foot

Tharpa Choling Monastery

Tharpa Choling Monastery is set at Tirpai hill built by Gelukpa Sect in 1937. The place is a depository of old scriptures and documents. The place entices many Buddhist monastics and followers as a picture-perfect site for meditation. The relaxing atmosphere, pleasing weather, pristine and unpolluted nature, and the perfect spiritual environment make the hermitage an ideal place for meditation.

Science City

Science City is a novel and innovative tourist destination to the city for science lovers, located close to the Deolo hills. The place has various outdoor activities to offer to kids like climbing riggings, tire-swings, oscillates, along with porcelains of dinosaurs like in a Jurassic Park. The place is at a pinnacle and delivers a scenic view to the travelers who come here.