Array
(
[0] => Array
(
[name] => Armenian Church
[post_id] => 1413
[post_link] => https://offroadbangladesh.com/places/armenian-church/
[thumb_link] => https://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/14688097-300x225.jpg
[post_content] =>
The evidence says about Armenian community in the region during 17th to 18th century and their existence. Armenian Church was build in 1781 on Armenian Street in Armanitola. The site was an American graveyard before before the church built. Agaminus Catachik, an Armenian, gave away the land to build the church. Michel Cerkess, Okotavata Setoor Sevorg, Aga Amnius, and Merkers Poges helped build the church.
Mother Teresa stayed in this church during a visit to Dhaka.
In the old graveyard, among the 350 people buried there, a statue stands at the grave of Catachik Avatik Thomas, portraying his wife. The statue was bought from Kolkata and the grave is inscribed with the words "Best of Husband." Following the domination of their homeland by Persian powers of the time, Armenians were sent by their new rulers to the Bengal region for both political and economic reasons. Although the Armenian presence in South Asia is now insignificant, their presence in Dhaka dates back to the 17th century. Armenians came to Dhaka for business, and have been acknowledged for displaying a passion for trade comparable to that of the Bengalis of the time. In Dhaka, Armenian merchants traded in jute and leather, and profitability in these businesses convinced some to move permanently to Bangladesh. The area where they lived became known as Armanitola.
In 1781 the now famous Armenian Church was built on Armenian Street in Armanitola, then a thriving business district. The site was an Armenian graveyard before the church was built, and the tombstones that have survived serve as a chronicle of Armenian life in the area. Agaminus Catachik, an Armenian, gave away the land to build the church. Michel Cerkess, Okotavata Setoor Sevorg, Aga Amnius, and Merkers Poges helped build the church.
In the fifty years following the church's construction, a clock tower was erected on its western side. Allegedly, the clock could be heard four miles away, and people synchronized their watches with the sound of the tower's bell. The clock stopped in 1880, and an earthquake destroyed the tower in 1897. The Armenian played a prominent part in the jute trade in Dhaka and are reputed to be the pioneers of that trade in the second half of the 19th century. Today, the last Armenian that takes cares of the church is Mikhail Hopcef Martirossian (Micheal Joseph Martin). He was also one of the Armenian who was in the jute trade.
)
[1] => Array
(
[name] => Baptist Church
[post_id] => 5745
[post_link] => https://offroadbangladesh.com/places/baptist-church/
[thumb_link] => https://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/faridpur-baptist-church-arif.rashid1-300x216.jpg
[post_content] =>
Baptist church, a very famous church, establish in 1928 under the British rulers. It is located 100 meters away from Faridpur Zila School, just opposite of the Police line. However, most of the local people do not know its name clearly. So, you are highly recommended to ask the locals for the "Church of Christans" near the Police Line.
Some people said this church usually opens at morning for prayer. So, the church will be closed if you are late. You can check the photos to recognize the church exactly. This church is not so gorgeous but simply you would love it. As it would take only 5-10 minutes to see the whole church, So you shouldn't miss this one.
)
[2] => Array
(
[name] => Hasnabad Holy Rosary Church
[post_id] => 10274
[post_link] => https://offroadbangladesh.com/places/hasnabad-holy-rosary-church/
[thumb_link] => https://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/19-300x169.jpg
[post_content] =>
Hasnabad Holy Rosary Church is considered as one of the oldest Christian establishments of Dhaka, was established by Portuguese missionaries before the advent of British colonial rulers in India. Traders came to Bengal in 1579 after getting farman a royal decree from Mughal Emperor akbar (1556-1605) for trading, preaching of Christian religion and building of churches there freely. By 1580, a Portuguese settlement including trading houses and places of worship was developed in Dhaka City.
The Portuguese catholic Augustinians constructed two churches named Holy Rosary at Hijli in the 16th century. The Portuguese followers of St. Augustine also built up Churches in Chittagong in 1601, Baleshwar and Rangamati in 1640, Bakergonj (Barisal) in 1764, Hasnabad in 1777 and Tejgaon (Dhaka). This church is located at Hashnabad, 40 kilometres south-west of Dhaka. It is the seventh church in Bengal area.
There is a big open space in front of the church. If someone watches it from the opposite of the ground, it seems like a painted picture. While entering into the compound, firstly visitors will notice Amal Ganguly memorial hall. 'Theotonious'-the servant of God, it highlights on the board in large letters. Opposite of memorial, there is a hostel for sisters named St. Eufrejis Convent. The main church building is adjoining the convent with two minarets. It is such a beautiful art of architecture by the Europeans in Bangladesh.
There is a graveyard at inner side. A big pond is also located in the east. A lot of blooming roses welcome the religious people from the garden. The statue of crucified Jesus Christ reminds how he established his religion and sacrificed his life for the welfare of human kind. The whole church is decorated on the special occasions like Christmas and Star Sunday. In those days, visitors From different places gather there in large number to celebrate.
)
[3] => Array
(
[name] => Saint Nicholas Church
[post_id] => 3540
[post_link] => https://offroadbangladesh.com/places/saint-nicholas-church/
[thumb_link] => https://offroadbangladesh.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/St.-Nicholas-Church-by-Abrar-Razzak-300x201.jpg
[post_content] =>
In 1695, Saint Nicholas Church of Tolentino was constructed at Nagori, 25 kilometres northeast of Dhaka. In 1764, Portuguese missionaries built a church at Padrishibpur in Barisal district. Another Portuguese church was built at Hashnabad, 30 kilometers southwest of Dhaka, in 1777. In 1682, there were 14,120 Roman Catholics in the Bangladesh territory.
As the Bangladeshi Muslims have Arabic and Persian surnames, so do the Portuguese-converted Catholics have Portuguese surnames, such as Gomes, Rozario, DRozario, Cruze, DCruze, Dores, DSilva, DSouza, Costa, DCosta, Palma, Pinheiro, Pereira Rego, Ribeiro, Rodrigues, Serrao, Gonsalves, Corraya, etc. To recognize Catholics by names, the missionaries used to give one Christian name and one of their surnames to the newly baptized person. The later Catholic missionaries from France, USA, Canada, and Italy did not follow the Portuguese in naming the new Christians. They gave one Christian name but did not change the surname of the newly convert.
Presently, the Catholic Church has six dioceses Dhaka, Chittagong, Dinajpur, Khulna, Mymensngh, and Rajshahi with a Catholic population of about 221,000, more than 70 parish churches, 200 priests, 50 Brothers, 700 nuns, 1,000 catechists, and many educational, healthcare, and welfare institutions and organizations.
)
)
