Akbar's Church

Akbar's Church is a Roman Catholic church in the Civil Lines area of Agra, in Uttar Pradesh. It was founded in 1598 for the Jesuit mission that had been invited to the court of Emperor Akbar, who held discussions with Christian, Hindu, Jain, Zoroastrian and Muslim scholars at his Ibadat Khana. The Jesuits, who arrived from Goa in the 1570s and 1580s, were allowed to build a church in Agra, and a mission was established under Akbar's patronage. The church is therefore a physical record of Akbar's policy of religious tolerance and curiosity.

The original 16th-century building has been rebuilt and altered over the centuries, so the present church reflects later colonial-era architecture rather than a Mughal structure. The church has a nave and a modest facade, and it has served the Catholic community of Agra through changes of rule from the Mughals to the Marathas and the British. The Jesuit mission in Agra also includes a historic cemetery and associated institutions, which belong to the same story of European presence at the Mughal court.

The church remains an active place of worship, and visitors are welcome during daylight hours, outside mass times, which vary. Entry is free. Visitors should dress modestly, speak quietly and avoid disturbing services. The church is a short drive from the Agra Fort area and may be combined with other sights in the Civil Lines district. Because of its working status, there is no formal museum, but the building and its grounds provide context for the Jesuit mission and the history of Christianity in India.