Pune: Kedgaon’s Mukti Mission Church Turns 126, Rich Heritage and Architecture Highlighted
Kedgaon, Daund Taluka, 20th September 2025: The Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission Church marked its 126th foundation day on 20th September 2025, commemorating more than a century of spiritual and community service. The church, the oldest and largest congregation in Kedgaon and the Daund Taluka region, continues to serve as a significant religious and cultural landmark.
The cornerstone, laid in 1899, bears an inscription from Zechariah 4:6: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, says the Lord.” With a seating capacity of 2,500, the church remains a central hub for worship and community gatherings.
Pandita Ramabai, the visionary behind the church, had initially consulted an architect to draft plans for the large building. When informed that the plans would cost 500 pounds—an amount far beyond her means at the time—Ramabai prayed for guidance. She later received the design in a dream, which she faithfully translated into construction plans.
The church, built in the shape of a cross, was constructed from locally sourced stones and timber imported from Burma. Timber was shipped to Calcutta (now Kolkata), transported by train to Daund, and then carried by bullock cart for 24 kilometers to the site. The logs were so long that a single log stretched across six carts, taking eight to ten days to transport.
Ten pillars, each 30 feet tall with 10 feet sunk into the ground, support the roof structure. Surplus wood from these beams was used to craft the flooring, which relies solely on wooden pegs instead of nails. Remarkably, after 115 years, the flooring remains sound. Roof trusses made of teak wood support corrugated iron sheets overlaid with Mangalore tiles, which are still intact today, requiring minimal maintenance.
Measuring 135 feet in length, 43 feet in width, and 115 feet from wing to wing, the church accommodates around 2,500 worshippers. Its first pastor was Rev. W.W. Bruere, who served until 1927, followed by Rev. Smeska from 1927 to 1932. Currently, Rev. Prakash Salve serves as Priest-in-Charge, with Rev. Prasad K. as Church Administrator.
The church’s architectural heritage, along with its collections of art, music, literature, and archival materials, reflect its rich cultural and spiritual legacy. “Mukti Church has been a lighthouse for the community for the past 126 years, fulfilling its mission as a center of faith and inspiration,” said Abhishek Sonavale, a local resident.
Pandita Ramabai Mukti Mission Church remains a revered place of worship, continuing its tradition as the first, largest, and oldest congregation in the Kedgaon-Daund region.
