St.Marks Cathedral with an illustrious address, No.1,MG Road, is an impressive landmark of namma Bengaluru. It is surrounded by famous landmarks such as Queen Victoria's Statue,Chinnaswamy Stadium,Koshys and the Bible House. Cubbon Park with its lush greenery is just opposite, and some of those beautiful flowering trees and fruit trees are also present in the church compound. A small fountain adds to the beauty of this oldest Anglican church of Bangalore. This heritage building was modelled on the lines of London's 17th century St. Paul's Cathedral, and built in 1808.
It was initially meant for worship by high ranking British officers and later civilians were allowed. Even today, a joint service is held every November by chiefs of staff of the Army, Navy and Air Force on Remembrance Day and this is a very colourful and solemn service. Reputed Chaplains like Rev. S.T.Pettigrew, Rev. Robert Posnett were credited with the founding of two very old schools, - the Bishop Cotton Boys School and St. John’s school in 1865 and 1853 respectively.
An imposing German pipe organ is the best I have ever heard during Sunday service.
The stained glass windows,pews,marble altar, imposing pillars within and the porch of grand columns,richly carved doors and of course,the magnificent dome bearing a heavy cross on the outside and gilded stars decorating it on the inside, make for a perfect place for worship.
A resource center,a parsonage,senior citizens' home,music school where the church prepares students for taking up exams conducted by the Trinity College of Music,London are located within the compound.
