The Christ Church

The Christ Church in Munnar (celebrated across Kerala as the historic 1910 CSI heritage stone church and premier colonial landmark standing majestically on a hilltop overlooking the misty tea valleys of the High Ranges), situated near Old Munnar just 1 km from Munnar town center in Kerala, is one of the state's most historically evocative, architecturally distinguished, and spiritually peaceful hill station monuments.

Constructed in 1910 out of unpolished dark granite stone blocks in authentic Scottish Gothic architectural style under the guidance of British tea planters and the Church of England, this sacred Protestant landmark was founded to serve the spiritual needs of early European tea pioneering families and local plantation laborers of the High Range Mountain Club.

It's the home of beautiful imported stained glass panels depicting Jesus Christ as the Good Shepherd (installed in 1911 by Scottish tea planters in memory of loved ones), century old hand carved polished teakwood pews, a historic cast brass altar cross, an antique pipe harmonium, the famous historic Planters' Cemetery perched along the adjoining pine covered hillside (where pioneering tea planters including Henry Mansfield Knight, who founded early estates in the 1890s, rest under weathered Celtic stone crosses), centuries old towering eucalyptus trees shading the cobblestone pathway, and a profoundly tranquil sanctuary atmosphere where mountain breezes whistle gently through stained glass lancet windows.

It represents a rich British colonial history, Scottish Gothic stone architecture, and tea plantation heritage sanctuary where European planter memorials, CSI liturgy, antique teak craftsmanship, and misty hill station serenity unite in Old Munnar.

Located on a scenic hillock along the Mattupetty road in Old Munnar, it sits just 1 km from Munnar Central Bus Stand, 110 km from Aluva Railway Station (AWY), and 105 km from Cochin International Airport (COK), easily accessible on foot from Munnar town, auto rickshaws, and tourist cabs.

The 1910 Scottish Gothic Stone Architecture

Christ Church is built entirely of rough, unpolished black granite without lime plaster, featuring steep gabled roofs designed to withstand Munnar's heavy monsoons.

The foundation stone was laid in 1900 by Sir A.H.L. Fraser, and the church was consecrated in 1910 by the Bishop of Madras.

Truth is, sitting inside the cool stone chapel on the original century old teak benches while looking out at rolling tea bushes is extraordinarily peaceful.

The 1911 Stained Glass Windows & Teakwood Pews

Stained Glass: The colorful stained glass window behind the altar depicts Christ with open arms, casting jewel toned ruby and sapphire light across the stone nave.

Brass Memorials: Polished brass plaques along the stone walls commemorate pioneering Scottish managers, engineers, and doctors who developed the High Range tea estates.

The Historic Planters' Cemetery on the Hill

Planters Cemetery: Just behind the church lies the poignant burial ground where European tea estate managers and their families were laid to rest from 1894 onwards.

Eleanor Knight Grave: The most famous tomb belongs to Eleanor Isabel May Knight, wife of pioneer planter H.M. Knight, who died of malaria in 1894.

After exploring the historic ambiance of CSI Christ Church, visit the nearby Tata Tea Museum in KDHP house, take a walk through Blossom Hydel Park, or drive to Mattupetty Dam in Munnar.