St George Orthodox Valiapally,Jabalpur

The big Garrison Church ( now St. George Orthodox Church ) at Ridge Road, Jabalpur has very magnificient history which turns to attention in to the British colonial period in India. It was founded in order to nurture the spiritual needs of the British troops stationed in Jubbalpur ( now Jabalpur) and its neighbouring military centre. It is built on the model of Canterbury Cathedral England in the gothi arhitectural style with a huge tower reaching to the clouds measuring 95 as height with a cross on top of it. The foundation stone of the church was laid on 4th January 1914 by Bishop Lord and it took nearly two years for completion. On 13th February 1916 it was consecrated also by Bishop lord. The church has a seating capacity of more than 2000 people on wither side of the name and aisle.
After the Britishers left India in 1947, the church was left unused and came to the stage of deconsecration. It was at this tim e the Orthodox Syrian Christians working at Jabalpur showed great interest to take over the church for their worship and maintenance. Accordingly the church and its compound were handed over to the Orthodox Syrian Christians by the Anglican Bishop of Nagpur in Feb/March 1952 , and the Malankara Orthodox Christians took over its possession. The reins of the church was taken over by Rev. Fr. K.K. Punnoose in March 1952 as its first vicar and celebrated Holy Qurbana on 6th April 1952 Rev.K.K. Punnoose its first vicar was later elevated as Metropolitan H.G. Dr.Stephanose Mar Theodosius and also took over as the metropolitan of Calcutta diocese under whose jurisdiction this church is placed.