Padri-Ki-Haveli ("Mansion of Padre"), also known as the Visitation of the blessed Virgin Mary, is the oldest church in Bihar. When Roman Catholics arrived in Bihar, they built a small church in 1713 at a place now known as Padri-ki-Haveli.[1]

Visitation of the blessed Virgin Mary
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
DistrictPatna district
ProvinceBihar
RegionMagadh
Ecclesiastical or organizational statusCathedral
LeadershipDr. Victor Alphonse (General Secretary, Parish Council).
Location
LocationPatna
MunicipalityPatna Municipal Corporation
StateIndia
Geographic coordinates25°36′40″N 85°08′38″E / 25.611°N 85.144°E / 25.611; 85.144
Architecture
Architect(s)Tirreto
TypeCathedral
StyleNeoclassical
CompletedFirst build – 1713
Major redisgn – 1772
Construction cost{INR}700 in 1772

The current church was re-designed by a Venetian architect Tirreto in 1772. He came from Kolkata to design the church. The foundation stone of this church has a dimension of 70 feet of length, 40 feet of width and 50 feet of height.[2]

Nawab Mir Qasim destroyed the church because of the quarrel with the British traders on 25 June 1763. Ancient records were destroyed and burnt consequently. In 1857, during the Great Indian Rebellion, the church was very damaged again.

Today, the monument stands as an architectural wonder with intricate details present in few churches in India.

Notes

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  • The main attraction of the church is the large cathedral bell.[3]
  • Mother Teresa got her training in this church.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Christianity in Bihar Archived 8 August 2008 at the Wayback Machine. Bihareebabu.com. Retrieved 6 September 2012.
  2. ^ PADRI KI HAVELI. patna.bih.nic.in
  3. ^ Large Cathedral Bell and architecture of Padri Ki Haveli church in Bihar. Tsiindia.com (21 June 2007). Retrieved 2012-09-06.
  4. ^ Patna room still houses Mother's memories. Rediff.com (20 October 2003). Retrieved 2012-09-06.

Further reading

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  • Horo, P. C., The Comprehensive History of Bihar, Vol. III, Part II, chapter – "Christian Missions and Communities in Bihar" – (pages 109–292)
  • Greene, Meg (2004), Mother Teresa: A Biography, Greenwood Publishing Group, ISBN 0-313-32771-8