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St Josephs Cathedral Lucknow

Amidst the chaos of the flooded streets and lanes of Hazratganj, St. Joseph's Cathedral stands tall with splendor and divinity. This church should undoubtedly be on your list of the places to visit, if you plan to land in Lucknow. No sooner you step in the church complex; you will witness huge steps escorting the visitors to the door of the church. The complex also houses a famous school. Just before the entrance, is the magnificent and tall statue of Jesus Christ, with widely opened arms that seem like welcoming the visitor to this holy place. Constructed in the 19th century by Rev. Fr. William Gleeson, an Irish priest landing in the town of Hazratganj from Golaganj, this church is an epic. In the year 1862, after the completion of the construction, the church sought blessings from Bishop Anastasius Hartmann.

History

In 1858, Rev. Fr. William Gleeson, a young Irish priest landed in Lucknow. The land that belonged to the Golganj’s former mission was sold by him only to buy a plot of land in Hazratganj out of the subscriptions and proceedings from the people. An exquisite church was constructed in 1860 out of the land which was then in the wilderness in the dedication of St. Joseph. Bishop Anastasius Hartmann blessed this church on 10 May 1862. In the very same year, Rev. Fr. William Gleeson constructed a boundary wall as well as the priest's house from 1860–1862. After that, he handed over the station to Rev. Fr. Felix O.F.M. Cap, of Turin. Rev. Fr. Norbert, O.F.M. Cap, of Tossignano started teaching two boys, Charles Claudius and Issac, in the verandah that was just outside the priest’s house in 1865. With this camethe realization, the pressing need of education, which lead him to the action of establishing St. Francis School as well as an orphanage. He established St. Francis Boarding and Day School In 1890 and this is the existence of the present Cathedral School. Rt. Rev. Petronius Gramigna O.F.M. Cap, the Bishop of Allahabad purchased the land where St. Francis School currently stands in 1908. St. Francis School was then shifted to its actual location on 8, Shahnajaf Road in 1918. Both St. Joseph’s High School and St. Joseph’s Orphanage remained on the same premises of St. Joseph’s Church.

How to Reach

By Air

Approx 12kms away from the Amausi Airport, Lucknow

By Rail

Approx 3kms from Lucknow Railway Station

By Road

3kms away from Allahabad Bus Depot

By Self-Transport

Various options in private cabs are available to this place from Lucknow as well as Delhi.

Tourism

Lightings of the church, enchants its visitors and leaving them spellbound and creating an impression in the minds that could never get vanished. Most of the God Lovers, Nirvana and Experience Seekers top the tourist list. Many people visit this Basilica to seek blessing and worship the Lord Jesus.