Sialkot Church

[Charise Zelnick]

The Holy Trinity Cathedral Church, also known as Sialkot Cathedral, is an Anglican cathedral located in Sialkot Pakistan.[1] It is located in the Sialkot Cantonment on The Mall (Quaid-i-Azam Road).[2]

Its first stone was laid on March 1, 1852.[3] The church was consecrated by the Rt. Rev Daniel Wilson, Bishop of Calcutta, on January 30, 1857, Sialkot at the time being in the Diocese of Calcutta. It now belongs to the Church of Pakistan Diocese of Sialkot.

I was standing in Hunter Memorial Church in Sialkot. It was in 1857 that Rev Thomas Hunter came to Sialkot, the first Scottish missionary in this part of what was then India. It was a bitterly short time they spent in their new work: only months after they arrived he, and his wife Jane, and their infant son were murdered in the First Indian War of Independence. The church which carries their name is beautiful and its setting is beautiful. It is only yards from all the stir and noise and confusion and energy which expresses the spirit of Sialkot and of every city in Pakistan. Yet these few yards lead you into a treasure of peace: trees and flowers and grass and gravestones and quietness and the fine church. All through the graveyard and on the walls of the church there are echoes of Scotland; there is a memorial to a minister who worked in Sialkot for fifty years; and there are poignant memories of several infant deaths.

Background to this Series of India Revivals
From 1904-1906, revival swept across India, touching every mission station and church, regardless of the denomination. Episcopalians, Presbyterians, Congregationalists, Baptists, Lutherans, Methodists, Brethren, Anglicans, Christian and Missionary Alliance, London Missionary Society, and the YMCAs and YWCAs, wherever the revival was welcome, blessings came. In addition, it fostered significant unity, breaking down previous barriers between denominations.

The revival detailed below, the 1904 Sialkot, India Revival, appears to have been the spark that ignited the sweeping fires. Subsequently, upon receiving reports of the 1904-1905 Welsh Revival, prayer for revival intensified to such an extent that revival in India seemed unstoppable. The outcomes are documented in the following accounts:

1904 10-Day Convention (Punjab Prayer Union)
To address this need of prayer, the Presbyterians planned a 10-day convention to be held in late August 1904, in the city of Sialkot, at the Presbyterian Mission center. Invitations to the convention were sent throughout India, encouraging missionaries and Indian believers to gather in late August. This convention had such tremendous results that it became an annual convention that continued several decades.

I remember how the little company prostrated themselves upon the mats in the Oriental manner, and then how for a long time, man after man rose to his feet to pray, how there was such confession of sin as most of us had never heard before and such crying out to God for mercy and help.

There was breadth and freedom during those ten days that I never imagined existed on earth. Surely it was for freedom such as this that Christ has set us free. Each one did exactly as he or she felt led to do. Some went to bed early, some prayed all night long. Some went to the meetings and some to the prayer room and some to their own rooms. Some prayed, some praised. Some sat to pray, some kneeled, some lay prostrate on their faces before God, just as the Spirit of God bade them.

Bible Studies at the Convention
One Bible study was planned to be given each morning of the 10-day convention, focusing on the topic of the Holy Spirit. Often these teachings were interrupted by the Holy Spirit Himself, and the men set their notes to the side while the Holy Spirit taught the people directly, through a demonstration of His power.

The presence of the Holy Spirit in this fashion led to intense conviction of sin among every person present: missionaries, Indian believers, men, women, boys, and girls. This conviction led to open confession of sin, and with the burden of sin lifted, the result was instant peace and joy, demonstrated in tremendous rejoicing.

Only God and the recording angel can determine how much the whole body of Christ has been moved upon and benefited by the tremendous prayer force generated by the Holy Spirit in that prayer room at Sialkot. I am assured that tens of thousands have been born into the kingdom because of the soul travail at Sialkot.

In 27-07-2024, the churches in Sialkot continue to serve as more than just places of worship. Whether you are looking to seek some alone time, or wish to attend a moving service, or witness the harmony of a choir, the Sialkot churches will provide an experience that is just the right one for you.

A: While most churches in Sialkot are open to the public, it's important to respect their rules and guidelines. Some churches may have dress codes or restrictions on photography, and it's essential to comply with these to maintain the sanctity of the space.

A: Yes, many churches in Sialkot welcome visitors to attend religious services. It's a unique opportunity to witness local traditions and immerse yourself in the spiritual atmosphere. Check the schedules and be mindful of the services' significance.

A: Yes, guided tours are often available for the churches in Sialkot. Joining a guided tour or using audio guides can provide valuable insights into the history, art, and architecture of each church.

Sarwar is continuing to minister to his home church, Artesia (Calif.) Indo-Pak Church, which is partially supported through Resonate Global Mission, once each month to preach and serve communion. The church is supporting him and his family with prayer throughout his study period from August 2023 to June 2024. On the weeks he is not there, an interim pastor and guest speakers fill in.

The history of the churches in Pakistan is part of the history of Christianity in the Indian sub-continent. Their beginnings can be traced to the work of several Christian missions from the 16th century onwards. Pakistan came into existence when British rule ended on the sub-continent in 1947. The predominantly Muslim areas in the west and in the east became a separate state, with over a thousand miles of Indian territory in between. The eastern province broke away in 1971. The Church of Pakistan is the result of the union of four denominations: Anglican, Methodist, Lutheran and Presbyterian (Scottish), which took place in 1970. The United Presbyterian Church which had been involved in the negotiations did not join. Initially there were four dioceses in the Church of Pakistan, i.e. Karachi, Multan, Lahore and Sialkot, but in 1980, through a special resolution and for better ministerial work, four new dioceses were created: Hyderabad, Raiwind, Faisalabad and Peshawar. There are eight active diocesan bishops with an additional bishop for the Gulf Ministries. This appointment was made to take care of the pastoral and worship needs of Urdu-speaking workers in the Gulf. There is a presiding bishop for the Church of Pakistan who is known as the moderator and has responsibility for a three-year term. The United Church of Pakistan is the second largest church in the country after the Roman Catholic Church.

Christians form two percent of the population of Pakistan, which is approximately 140 million; 97 percent are Muslims. Christian scholars, teachers, social workers and lawyers are appreciated for their contributions, but face problems of identity and full participation in the social and political life of the country. There is no legal bar to evangelistic work, but the propagation of the gospel is not always welcomed. Most of the educational institutions like colleges and schools have been nationalized and operate under the control and direction of the government. The Church of Pakistan has initiated some significant steps to continue its role in education in the light of the policy of nationalization. Schools that were nationalized in 1972 have been returned to the church. The largest, Forman Christian College Lahore, was given back to the Presbyterian Church in 2003. It is hoped that in due course other colleges will also be returned. Outstanding institutions include United Christian Hospital, Gujranwala Theological Seminary, St Thomas Theological College Karachi, Edwardes College Peshawar, Mission Hospital Sahiwal and Kinnaird College for Women in Lahore.

The Diocese of Sialkot in Pakistan supports its ministry with income generated from its nine schools, all of which had to close due to Covid-19. This put a severe financial strain on the diocese, whose work is an important Christian witness in a nation with a small Christian minority.

As Link Dioceses, the Diocese of Guildford (Church of England) and the Diocese of Sialkot (Pakistan) are committed to upholding each other in ministry through encouragement and prayer. As the impact of Covid-19 became evident, the Diocese of Guildford raised funds via the Anglican Communion Fund to support the clergy and church workers in Sialkot.

Government Murray College Sialkot was established as Scotch Mission College by Scottish missionaries belonging to the Church of Scotland Mission in 1889. The Church of Scotland came to Sialkot (then Part of British India) in January 1857 when the first Scottish missionary, Reverend Thomas Hunter, came to live with his wife, Jane Scott, and baby son near the Brigade Parade Ground, facing the Trinity Church (whose first stone was laid on 1 March 1852). The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Madras on 30 January 1857. Sialkot at that time was in the diocese of Calcutta in British India. Thomas Hunter, his wife and baby son were murdered in Sialkot during the Indian Rebellion of 1857.

The Scottish missionaries who established Scotch Mission College was born and lived in the comparative comfort of Scotland, deeply moral and ordained to the Christian ministry, each one of them educated in one of the five ancient universities of their country. They worked largely without recompense to educate people of a town very different from theirs.

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