St. James Church situated in the Kashmere Gate area is believed to be the oldest surviving Church of Delhi. James Skinner, the son of a Scottish father and a Rajput mother, built it. The architecture is heavily influenced by the western classical design and a Greek cross plan. The porticoes built on the three sides were conceptualized to symbolize the three arms of the cross. The eastern arm contains the altar, while a dome covers the middle segment of the church. St. James Church was badly damaged in 1857 but in 1865, it was renovated again. The grave of James Skinner is placed in front of the altar, while the other graves that belong to his family members lie in the north of the church. Unlike other churches, it remains closed on Sundays and is opened only on special requests or services.
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