St John Wilderness Church, Nainital - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit
India | Uttarakhand | Nainital
#19 of 32 Places to Visit in Nainital
Distance (From Nainital Bus Station): 3 Kms
Trip Duration (Including Travel): 1 Hour
Transportation Options: Cab / Auto
Travel Tips: None
At a distance of 3 km from Tallital Bus Stand & 1.5 km from Nainital Lake, St John Wilderness Church is located adjacent to the High Court of Uttarakhand at Mallital in Nainital.
St. John in the Wilderness is one of the oldest and finest churches in Nainital. The Church is dedicated to St. John the Baptist. This Anglican Church was built in 1846 and is one of the earliest buildings erected in Nainital. As per the legend, Daniel Wilson, the Bishop of Kolkata visited Nainital in 1844 to lay the foundation of this church. During his visit, he fell ill and had to stay in an unfinished house which was on the edge of the forest. Hence, the church got the name of St John Wilderness Church.
The church was built in Neo Gothic style, amidst pine and deodar trees on the hilltop. The church is also famous for its stained-glass windows. It is said that Jim Corbett worshipped here during his tenure in the British army and was a great follower of this Church. St John Wilderness Church contains a brass memorial to the victims of famous 1880 landslide.
Timings: 7 AM to 6.30 PM
