Architecture of St John"s Church gives the detailing explanation of the early English and Greek architecture and the paintings by Johann Zoffany define the Indianised version of Last Supper. Some say, that St. John"s Church was the church of While Mughal. St. John"s Church was designed by James Agg.
Columns of St John"s Church
St. John Church has the tall columns that frame the church building on all sides and the entrance is through a stately portico. The floor is a rare hue of blue-grey marble, brought from Gaur. Large windows allow the sunlight to filter through the coloured glass.
Main Altar of St. John"s Church
The main altar is of a simple design in the previous Cathedral of St. John"s. Behind the altar is a semi-circular dome and the floor is of dark blue, almost black, stone. To the left of the altar there hangs a painting of “Last Supper†by the British Artist of German origin, Johann Zoffany. On the right is a beautiful stained glass window showing the French and German connection.
Wall of St. John"s Church
The walls of St. John"s Church contain memorial tablets, statues and plaques, mostly of British army officers and civil servants. Some of the tablets and the plaques are Memorial of James Achilles Kirkpatrick, Memorial of James Pattle, Johann Zoffany`s Last Supper and the numerous plaques of early British people.
Memorial of James Achilles Kirkpatrick
James Achilles Kirkpatrick, popularly known as the White Mughal was the central character of William Dalrymple best selling work of history White Mughals died in Calcutta on 15th October 1805 at the age of 41. He was buried at the North Park Street Cemetery, but neither his grave nor the cemetery exists today.
Plaque of James Kirkpatrick
James Achilles Kirkpatrick`s father James Kirkpatrick, popularly known as the Handsome Colonel, along with his brothers erected a memorial in memory of James Achilles Kirkpatrick on the southern wall of the St. John"s Church. The overblown and oddly inappropriate epitaph, erected still stands to this day.
Memorial of James Pattle
The memorial of James Pattle, the great-great-grandfather of William Dalrymple, noted novel writer, is also located on the south walls of St. John`s Church.
Last Supper by Johann Zoffany
Last Supper is one of the master pieces of Leonardo- Da Vinci. But the Last Supper present in this church was painted by Johann Zoffany of Germany. It is positioned on the walls of the St. John"s Church. This painting is not an exact replica of Leonardo"s master piece. Zoffany rather gave an Indian touch to the historic Biblical event. The top left hand corner of the painting shows a sword, which represents a common peon"s sword. Water ewer standing near the table is a copy of Hindustani spittoon and next to it lies a water filled beastie bag (a goat skin bag used for storing water).The most unusual feature of Zoffany"s Last Supper lies in the selection of model used by Zoffany to represent Jesus and his twelve disciples. Jesus Christ was portrayed Greek priest, Father Parthenio. Judas was portrayed as the auctioneer William Tulloh, from whom the Tollygunge was named in modern era. While, John is represented as W.C.Blacquiere, the Police Magistrate of Calcutta in 1780s. The effeminate police officer was a master in adopting female disguises.
