Afghan Church Mumbai
About
Located in Mumbai's Colaba district, the Afghan Church was built from 1847 to 1858 to commemorate the British and Indian soldiers killed in the First Anglo-Afghan War and the disastrous 1842 Kabul retreat. The Gothic Revival church features a 198-foot-tall spire, complex stained-glass windows by William Wailes, and decorative tiles designed by William Butterfield. Memorials for the dead soldiers are installed within. The church is a significant Mumbai historical and architectural landmark.
Basic Information
Timings
7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee
Free
Best Time to Visit
October to March
Place Type
Religious Site
How to Reach
Accessible via local trains to Churchgate station; short taxi or auto-rickshaw ride
Nearby Metro Stations
Metro stations within 5 km of Afghan Church
No metro stations found within 5 km.
History
Built in 1842 to commemorate British soldiers who died in the First Afghan War.
Frequently Asked Questions
Opening Hours
7:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Entry Fee
Free
Type
Religious Site
Best Time to Visit
October to March
How to Reach
Best reached by taxi or auto-rickshaw
Officially the Church of St. John the Evangelist, it was constructed between 1847 and 1858 to honor British soldiers who died during the First Anglo-Afghan War.
The church has Gothic Revival design with a tower and spire 198 feet high, made from buff-colored limestone and locally quarried basalt.
It contains exquisite stained glass windows by William Wailes and eight massive bells from England's Taylor bell foundry, ranked among the finest in western India.
Timings: The church is generally open to visitors in the daytime. It's better to call first and check visiting hours with the church administration.
Access: Situated at Navy Nagar, Colaba, the church is accessible by local buses and taxis. The closest railway termini are Churchgate and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CST).
Visitor Etiquette: Being a functioning house of worship, be considerate and dress modestly. Taking photographs could be prohibited during worship.