Camil Parkhe

When Christmas approaches, churches around the world are bathed in lights. Usually, places of worship and their religious symbols are easily recognizable from a distance. However, a place of worship located in Solapur Bazaar near Poolgate Bus Stand in Pune Camp stands as an exception to this rule. Even when you stand right in front of it, the puzzle isn't immediately solved. The reason is the 'Gopuram' style architecture (resembling South Indian temples) on its facade.

The intricate carvings on the lower front part of the structure and the sculpture resting on lotus petals at the center of the Gopuram add to the mystery. However, a small red cross at the very top of the spire clearly announces that this structure is indeed a Christian church. This 'St. Anne's Church' in Solapur Bazaar is not only famous for its distinctive architecture but also for its significant social contribution.

Another unique feature of this Roman Catholic church is that apart from English, a Mass is celebrated here in the Tamil language every Sunday. In the entire Pune Diocese, which covers four revenue districts including Pune and Kolhapur, this is one of the very few churches where liturgy is conducted in Tamil.

The first church in Pune was built on land gifted by Sawai Madhavrao Peshwa in 1792. It was constructed for the Portuguese officers and soldiers from Goa serving in the Peshwa's army. Naturally, it was built in the European style. Located in the premises of St. Ornellas School at Quarter Gate, this 'Our Lady of Immaculate Conception Church' is today known simply as 'City Church'. Excluding Mumbai and Vasai, this is the oldest church in Maharashtra.

After the City Church, almost all Roman Catholic and Protestant churches built in Pune followed the Western Gothic style. However, after Independence, when constructing a new church in the Solapur Bazaar area, the Jesuit fathers—originally European—opted for an Indian architectural style. Thus, in 1962, the Gopuram-styled 'St. Anne's Church' came into existence.

St. Anne's Church

The church was built by the German Father John Baptist Hasch (died 1989). He had also started a Tamil-medium primary school in the area. Father Hasch spoke excellent Tamil, having lived in Chennai for a few years to learn the language. He passed away in Pune and is buried in Hadapsar. Building places of worship according to local architectural traditions and symbols is part of the Catholic concept of 'inculturation'.

St. Anne was the grandmother of Jesus Christ and the mother of Mother Mary. At the very center of the church's facade, there is a glass-encased sculpture on lotus petals. It depicts St. Anne looking lovingly at her young daughter, Mother Mary.

Regarding the Sunday Mass in Tamil: For the Tamil community in this area, prayers are held in their mother tongue every Sunday at 7 AM. Many Catholics in this locality originally hail from Tamil Nadu. A similar situation exists at St. Ignatius Church in Khadki. Therefore, Tamil-speaking priests are specially invited for these services. Currently, Father Rock Alfonso serves as the priest at St. Anne's.

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In Christianity, communal prayer is central to the church. In the Catholic Church, this worship is called 'Holy Mass' or the Lord's Supper. 'Missa' is originally a Latin word. All church members are expected to attend the Sunday Mass. Just as Friday prayers (Namaz) hold a special place in Islam, the Sunday communal prayer is of utmost importance in Christianity.

(The author is a senior journalist who writes on Christian community, culture, and history.)