St Xavier's Church

St Xavier's Church, Thandiani

St Xavier’s is a colonial era Church established in 19th Century on the Hill Station of Thandiani, Abbotabad. Situated in the Northwest Frontier Province (NWFP), Thandiani served as a retreat for military and civilian officers of the British Raj. The hill station’s appeal was primarily due to its high altitude, lush forests, and cold climate, which provided a much-needed respite from the oppressive heat prevalent in other parts of India. Thandiani, like many other hill stations in the subcontinent, became a sanctuary for the British officers, who used it as an escape from the hardships of life in the plains. Over time Thandiani also became a haven for British Christian missionaries, who gradually began constructing residential and religious buildings in the area. Among these structures was the St. Xavier’s Church, a significant religious and cultural institution in the region.

The origins of Thandiani as a retreat can be traced back to the British annexation of Punjab in 1849. When Punjab fell under British rule, the Hazara region, including Thandiani, was incorporated into the administrative framework of the district, with Abbottabad functioning as one of its tehsils. Thandiani, which falls under the jurisdiction of Abbottabad Tehsil, was evolved as a "sanitarium" for British soldiers stationed in the volatile Northwest Frontier Province. As recorded in The Imperial Gazetteer of India, the British used Thandiani exclusively during the summer months when the climate in the lower regions became unbearable. This practice of retreating to hill stations during the summer was typical of the British, who sought to replicate the temperate climates of Europe wherever possible within the colonies.

The Gazetteer of the Hazara District 1907 provides detailed accounts of how the British authorities built several amenities, including a post office, a dak bungalow, and 15 bungalows intended for European visitors. These facilities served both military personnel and civilian officers stationed in nearby areas. The missionaries also built cottages for their use, establishing a more permanent presence in Thandiani. In addition to the church and cottages, a small two-room dispensary was also set up near the church, although it was eventually closed in 2005.

St Xavier's Church has been constructed in Colonial Gothic Style of Architecture

One of the most detailed accounts of Thandiani during the British colonial period comes from Worthington Jukes, a Christian missionary who extensively traveled across India. His memoirs, Reminiscences of Missionary Work in Amritsar 1872-1873 and On The Afghan Frontier in Peshawar 1873-1890, offer invaluable insight into the life of missionaries in Thandiani during the late 19th century. Jukes recounts his regular visits to Thandiani between the 1870s and 1880s, depicting the hill station as a place of solitude and tranquility.

Entrance of St Xavier's Church Thandiani

The missionaries, including Jukes, frequently traveled to Thandiani seeking relief from the harsh conditions of the lowlands. His memoirs suggest that the presence of the church and the missionaries was deeply rooted in the area, providing not only spiritual solace but also a physical retreat from the more challenging missionary work in regions like Peshawar.
Jukes describes the conditions that led to the establishment of Thandiani as a regular destination for missionaries. He notes that due to the extreme unhealthiness of Peshawar, where diseases like malaria and cholera were rampant, missionaries were often sent to the hills for a few weeks each summer. Thandiani, located approximately 12 miles from Abbottabad and situated 7,000 feet above sea level, became a preferred destination for such retreats. Jukes vividly describes Thandiani as a "delightful and healthy spot" where the missionary mission owned two small cottages. His writings highlight the fact that Thandiani not only served as a retreat but also as a site for religious activities, with the church playing a central role in the community of missionaries residing in the region.

The establishment of St. Xavier’s Church in Thandiani is closely tied to this missionary activity. Jukes’ account suggests that the church was not merely a place of worship but also a symbol of the enduring missionary presence in the region. The church was established in 1874, constructed primarily from locally sourced stone and timber. Worthington Jukes provides a detailed account of its construction, describing how the decision to build the church was made during one of his visits to Thandiani. In his writings, Jukes recalls that the English community quickly responded to an appeal for funds, raising approximately Rs350 for the construction of what was initially planned to be a log church. Timber for the project, particularly deodar and other pine trees such as Pinus excelsior and Pinus longifolia, was obtained from the surrounding forests at a cost of one rupee per tree, following approval from the authorities. Local masons and carpenters from Abbottabad were employed to complete the work. The church held religious gatherings and other activities.

Although St. Xavier’s Church remains under the management of the Diocese of Peshawar today, it is no longer in active use. The building, like many other colonial-era structures in the region, has suffered from neglect and is in need of restoration. Furthermore, the closure of the dispensary in 2005 marked the end of an era for Thandiani as a center for missionary activity.