Old Mission Church

ওল্ড মিশন চার্চ

Also known as Lal Girja.

The oldest Protestant church in the city, founded in 1770.

About Old Mission Church

The Swedish missionary Johann Zachariah Kiernander built this church in 1770 at his own expense. It was once of red brick, hence the name Lal Girja, the red church. The poet Michael Madhusudan Dutt was baptised here in 1843. It stands on R.N. Mukherjee Road among office buildings.

Why visit

A church older than most of the colonial city around it.

What to see and do

The plain classical interior and memorial tablets
The stained glass over the altar

Plan your visit

Area: BBD Bagh (Dalhousie), Central Kolkata
Nearest landmark: R.N. Mukherjee Road
Best time: Morning. October to March is the most comfortable time of year.
Time needed: About 15 minutes
Cost: Free
Entry: An active place of worship that admits visitors; its own rules apply. An active church; opening hours are not currently verified.
Metro: Mahakaran (Green Line) or Central (Blue Line)
Walking: Little walking
Photography: Photography is fine with some care.

Nearby and related places

St Andrew’s Church: The 1818 Scottish church with a tall white spire.
BBD Bagh & Lal Dighi: The tank and square at the centre of the colonial capital.
General Post Office: A domed post office on the site of the first Fort William.
St John’s Church: A 1787 church whose garden holds the tomb of Job Charnock.
Metcalfe Hall: A colonnaded hall of the 1840s facing the river.
Currency Building: An Italianate banking hall of 1833, rescued from demolition.

Walks that include it

Colonial Kolkata Walk: Dalhousie Square, the capital of British India

More guides

Last checked on 2026-10-02. Each place was checked to exist and its position confirmed. Timings, closing days and ticket prices are shown only where known and can change: confirm before you travel.