Located at the heart of the city and within the shortest distance from the academic hub of Kolkata, St Paul's Cathedral Mission College is an institution which requires little introduction. Established in 1864 by the CMS (Church Missionary Society) the College has witnessed, as well as involved itself in, upheavals and movements not only in the academic sphere, but also in the socio-political hist
ory of Kolkata and India. The CMS itself was established in 1799 with the primary objective of improving systems of education. Along with Friends of The Society in India, it took on the noble responsibility of creating a healthy method of Higher Education among the populace. This led to the foundation of a College at 25 Sookeas Street (now known as Kailash Bose Street) in a rented house. In January 1865 the College became the 'Cathedral Mission College'. The journey began with 193 students and 6 teaching staff. It was in July 1908 when the college was shifted to its present location (33/1, Amherst Street). Before this the College operated for a short period from the now Corporation building on Surya Sen Street. Within 6 years St Paul's C.M. College was awarded affiliation by University of Calcutta and from then on the College has kept up its high standards and has been blessed with the august presence of many eminent figures, among who were Rabindranath Tagore and Subhash Chandra Bose. After the departure of the CMS, the College came under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Calcutta of the CNI (Church of North India). The Diocese is the owner and sole beneficiary of all the College buildings and all the land. St Paul's C.M. College had obtained the status of Minority Educational Institution within the meaning of Article 30 of the Constitution of India.Although area-wise the college is distinctive compared to its cramped neighbourhood - enjoying a remarkable amount of free space, the College deliberately remains one of the smaller ones as far as roll-strength is concerned. With approximately 1200 students along with around 100 (teaching and non-teaching) staff members - the College can afford to give ample breathing and moving space for the young learners, who, being young developing adults needs space as much as instruction, to grow into mature and responsible citizens. This 'smallness' is one of the assets of the College as it allows an amount of familiarity which indeed has been instrumental in the creation of the closely knit St Paul's College 'Family'. Continuing with the mission of the founding fathers the College maintains, in the traditional Christian way of love and charity, the aim of creating not merely machines for the job market but young men and women who shine with enlightenment as well as erudition. For this purpose formal classroom teaching is accompanied by regular sports activities, a gymnasium for physical exercise, career awareness programmes, regular academic seminars, as well as social awareness programmes. It is with pride and honour the College remembers the past, and with determination and fortitude looks forward to a future the brightness of which is not merely a hope, but an assurance.
