The magnificent St. John`s Cathedral located adjacent to the Peshawar Garrison Services Club (PGSC) enjoys a novel history of its own. When the British troops entered Peshawar, after defeating the Sikh rulers in 1849, some British missionaries also came along with the occupation forces. They established a make-shift Morton Chapel in Peepal Mandi, Peshawar, while British army and their family members used to offer `Services` at Company Bagh. Dr Kemp, one of the founders of the Peshawar Mission, raised funds for the construction of St. John`s Church in the Cantonment Area. The foundation stone was laid by Archdeacon Pratt, Bishop of Calcutta, on March 23, 1851.

Frederick Mackeson, the first Chief Commissioner of Peshawar stayed its construction for military reasons and also prompted Robert Clarke, Bishop of Amristar, not to come to Peshawar as he had shown interest in initiating the construction work on the Church. It is said that he swam across the Indus River at Attock Khurd and reached Peshawar in 1852. Meanwhile, Frederick Mackeson was stabbed to death in Peshawar and Sir Herbert Edwardes (1819-1868) was appointed as new Chief Commissioner of Peshawar; he withdrew stay of the construction of the proposed St. John`s Church.

Sir Herbert Edwardes had been a close friend and class-fellow of Robert Clarke, therefore, the construction was easily completed in 1860 at a cost of 11,000 British Indian rupees. Bishop Cotton of Calcutta carried out its formal consecration. Now it is run under the auspices of the Church of Pakistan (CoP). It is the property of the Diocese of Peshawar covering the entire Frontier and Northern areas founded in 1981, also responsible for giving the status of a Cathedral to the St. John`s Church in 1982.

First minor renovation was done in 1960 on its centenary celebrations, Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh — husband of HM Queen Elizabeth II — visited the historical Church in 1961 while the next year both Philip and his wife came to Peshawar and offered services here. They appreciated the glory and grandeur associated with the beautiful building reflective of the British Missionary zeal. The Second major renovation costing Rs5 million was carried out a few years ago.

Built with clay, mud, bricks and lime in ordinary rectangular shape, the Cathedral has three main gates — southern, northern, eastern  — with one small entrance westward. The tall spires of the Church lend a real monumental look to the structure from a great distance.

St. John`s Cathedral, Peshawar, is the oldest and the biggest church in the Frontier province as it can accommodate 700 people. Local Christian community actively uses this holy building for all kinds of religious and other sacred ceremonies including Christmas and New Year midnight services.

It is not only a great symbol of the Christian faith but also a rich national cultural heritage. Foreign visitors as well as locals evince equal interest upon their visit to the simple but sacred building in its unique architectural magnificence and serene environment.