St. Paul's Cathedral is an Anglican church on Cathedral Road in central Calcutta. It is the seat of the Diocese of Calcutta. The cathedral is across from the Bishop's House on Chowringhee Road. The cathedral is located to the east of the Victoria Memorial and at the southern edge of the maidan, the largest open space in the city. <br><br> The Cathedral architecture is of Indo- Gothic style with elements of Gothic Revival architecture. The principle design of the cathedral building was done by Major William Nairn Forbes, who later became a Major General of the Bengal Engineers. He was assisted by architect C. K Robinson. The cornerstone of the cathedral was laid on 8th October 1839 and it took another 8 years to complete it. The consecration took place on 8th October 1847 and was attended by the European community and a small number of locals. <br><br> There is an episcopal throne on the southern flank of the altar and a reredos or decorative wall on its liturgical east end created by Sir Arthur Blomfield, dating back to 1879; it has carvings of episodes related to the life of St. Paul: the Annunciation, the Adoration of the Magi, and the Flight into Egypt. <br><br> Entry to the cathedral is from the north through a large gate made of wrought iron called the Sir William Prentice Memorial Gate.