Oxford Mission Church is the second largest architectural monument in Asia and one of the artistic churches in Bangladesh. A picturesque ancient structure located on Bogra Road in Barisal, a divisional city in the southern part of Bangladesh, is 117 years old.

Inside the fascinating church, built in the style of Greek architecture, is a large prayer room. It is surrounded by palm trees, and if you look through the gaps in the trees, you can see a high terracotta archway church. The roof is made of wood, and the floor has lovely marble tiles. The biggest feature of this church is its amazing construction style.

It is said that his first lover Monia met the poet Jibanananda Das at the church of Oxford Mission in Barisal. Monia’s mother worked as a nurse in the church. He also lived in the Oxford Mission dormitory as a student. How close was Jibanananda to this centennial church, did he meet his first lover Monia here at all? This shrine stands as a witness of tomorrow with these questions.

“Or more in the Niko paddy field;
No more busy,
Straw from the duck nest
Straw from the bird’s nest
Spreading; Night, cold and dewy water in Monia’s house.
Life is gone, we are twenty years old.
Then all of a sudden if I find you on the sweet path again!

Although the general public is not allowed to enter, they can enter here subject to special permission.

By bus or road

You can reach Barisal by road in 6 to 7 hours by road. Every day from 6 am to 10 pm, several buses leave from Gabtoli bus terminal for Barisal. Most buses cross Paturia Ghat and go to Barisal while some buses cross Mawa Ghat and go to Barisal. Buses from Dhaka stop at the Natullabad bus stand in Barisal. The church on Bogra Road can be easily reached by rickshaw or auto from Natullabad.