Churches in Chennai
|| Santhome Cathedral Basilica Chennai || St. Mary's Church Chennai || Velankanni Church ||
Christianity in southern part of India dates back to 1st century AD; however the Christianity was deeply rooted after the infiltration of European missionaries. Since the colonies of the Europeans, Chennai is an abode of thousands of Christians. Chennai churches are places of worship of the Christian community and the churches exhibit the culture and tradition of Christians.
The main churches of Chennai are St. Mary's Church, Santhome Basilica, Velankanni Church, Armenian Church, C.S.I. Holy Cross Church, St. Thomas Mount, St. Andrews Church, St. George's Cathedral, etc.
The churches of Chennai tell the story of the arrival of the Portuguese, the Dutch, French, Nestorian Christians and Armenians in Tamil Nadu, and the two most renowned churches of the city are sited in the George Town area and the Santhome locality. Visiting the churches of Chennai, one can explore its rich architecture along with the history related with these.
While in Chennai one must explore the St. Mary’s Church located with the Fort. St. George at George Town and it was the church which was visited by Elihu Yale, Job Charnock, Warren Hastings, Wellesley, and Robert Clive. St. Andrew’s Kirk Cathedral was erected by a Kirk Session, a church committee of Scotland to keep the Presbyterian tradition in Chennai. History tells that a small church was erected by the Nestorian Christians on the summit of St. Thomas Mount’s when they came to know the legend of the apostle. It is said that St Thomas was martyred in 72 AD when he preached on the top of a hillock. Portuguese later rebuilt this church and it is said that the Venetian traveler Marco Polo visited the site in 1293.
