The Ridge
town · 206 m away
temple20 min from Shimla
Christ Church
Christ Church, on Shimla's Ridge, was designed in 1844 and consecrated in 1857 — North India's second oldest surviving church, built in the neo-Gothic style.
What it is
On the Ridge itself, Christ Church ranks as North India's second oldest surviving church, behind only Meerut's own St John's Church. Colonel J.T. Boileau designed the building in the neo-Gothic style, its cornerstone laid on 9 September 1844, and it was consecrated on 10 January 1857 for the town's British residents, most of them Anglican, in what was then called Simla.
Getting there
About 20 minutes by road from the edge of Shimla, roughly 9 km, standing right on the Ridge alongside the town's other central landmarks.
The visit
Six virtues are named across the stained-glass windows — among them charity, faith and humility. The artist behind the fresco framing the chapel window was Lockwood Kipling, whose son Rudyard went on to become a well-known writer. The church clock, a gift from Colonel Dumbleton in 1860, keeps its four faces in sync with each other, though rarely with the actual time of day. A pipe organ built in Britain went in during 1899 and had a thorough overhaul in 1932.
> worth a look after dark even if you've already visited by day.
When to go
Any time of year — the church itself is a town-centre stop. Sunday services run 8 to 11 AM, so a quieter visit is easier on other days of the week.
Around it
The Ridge, where the church stands, and the Indian Institute of Advanced Study and Jakhoo Temple, a short drive on, fill out the one-day loop.
Plans that include this
All 3 plans that stop here →
Day plan · First visitClassic
One day in Shimla — the Ridge, Christ Church and Jakhoo
A single-day Shimla loop: the Ridge, Christ Church, the former Viceregal Lodge, and Jakhoo Temple's giant Hanuman statue. Free, copyable itinerary.
Best Apr–Jun · Sep–Oct
See the plan →
1 night · 2 days · First visitClassic
Two days in Shimla — the Ridge and Kufri
A two-day Shimla plan: the Ridge, Christ Church and Jakhoo Temple on day one, then Kufri and Tara Devi Temple on day two. Free, copyable plan on HimLocal.
Best Apr–Jun · Sep–Oct
See the plan →
2 nights · 3 days · First visitClassic
Three days in Shimla — the full circuit
A three-day Shimla plan: the colonial town core on day one, quieter temples and a waterfall on day two, Kufri and Tara Devi Temple on day three.
Best Apr–Jun · Sep–Oct
See the plan →Nearby places
Questions people ask
How old is Christ Church in Shimla?
It was designed in 1844 by Colonel J.T. Boileau, with the cornerstone laid on 9 September that year, and consecrated on 10 January 1857. Only one church anywhere in North India predates it: St John's Church, over in Meerut.
Is Christ Church free to visit?
Yes — entry is free, with donations welcome. Services run in Hindi and English, and Sunday worship is held from 8 to 11 AM, though the church and its grounds are open to ordinary visitors outside service times too, most days of the week.
What is notable about Christ Church's design?
Built in the neo-Gothic style, the church has six named virtues across its stained-glass windows. A chapel-window fresco came from the artist Lockwood Kipling, whose son Rudyard became a well-known writer, and a pipe organ built in Britain was fitted in 1899.