Arrah: In the town of Arrah in Bihar’s Bhojpur district stands a modest church with an unusual past. The Holy Saviour Church, built in 1911, was originally constructed for just one day to accommodate a prayer by Britain’s King George V during his visit to India. More than a century later, it continues to serve the local Christian community and is regarded as a valuable piece of the state’s heritage.
While Patna’s Padri Haveli, dating back nearly 200 years earlier, is widely considered Bihar’s oldest church, the Holy Saviour Church occupies a distinctive place in colonial history. It was erected when George V, then newly crowned, was travelling from Calcutta (now Kolkata) to Delhi during the British Raj.
According to church records and local accounts, the king wished to offer prayers to Jesus Christ during his journey. British authorities responded by constructing a temporary church in Arrah specifically for the occasion. The structure, however, was never dismantled.
“The church was built for King George V’s prayer for just one day,” said Father Anil, the priest of the Holy Saviour Church. “After he left, British soldiers continued to pray here. Following Independence, it was opened to ordinary Christians.”
George V, the first British monarch from the House of Windsor, reigned from 1910 to 1936. During his visit to India on December 12, 1911, he announced the transfer of the imperial capital from Calcutta to Delhi, a defining moment in colonial administration.
Remnants of that visit remain visible in Arrah. A nearby road is still known locally as KG Road or George Road, a name that, according to Father Anil, dates back to the red carpet laid for the king at the site during his stopover.
Today, the church is not only a historical landmark but also an active centre of worship. “People come here with faith, to pray and to make wishes,” Father Anil said. “For many, this place holds deep spiritual meaning.”
The Holy Saviour Church is preparing to mark Christmas with special celebrations on December 25. Located near Judge Kothi Chowk in the Ramna Maidan area, the church is being decorated for the occasion. The programme will include prayers, hymns and cultural events commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Organisers expect members of the Christian community, along with people from other faiths, to attend the celebrations, underscoring how a church built for a single royal prayer has endured as a shared symbol of faith and history in Arrah.
