St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai

San Thome Church, officially known as St Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas, is a minor basilica of the Catholic Church in India, at the Santhome neighbourhood of Chennai, in Tamil Nadu. The present structure dates back to 1523 AD, when it was built by the Portuguese over the tomb of Thomas the Apostle.[1] In 1896, it was renovated in the Madras province according to neo-Gothic designs, as was favoured by British architects in the late 19th century. 13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E / 13.03361; 80.27778

Santhome Church
National Shrine of Saint Thomas Basilica
Santhome Basilica
Location38 Santhome High Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
CountryIndia
Language(s)Tamil and English
DenominationCatholic Church
TraditionLatin Church
Websitesanthomechurch.com
History
Authorising papal bull16 March 1956
StatusMinor basilica[2]
Founded1523 (501 years ago)
Founder(s)Portuguese explorers
DedicationSt. Thomas the Apostle
Relics heldThomas the Apostle (claimed)
Architecture
Functional statusActive
Heritage designationNational Shrine[3]
Architect(s)Captain J. A. Power (current structure)
StyleNeo-Gothic
Groundbreaking1500
Completed1523 (Current building 1896)
Specifications
Length64 metres (210 ft)
Width12.2 metres (40 ft)
Nave width10 metres (33 ft)
Height41 metres (135 ft)
Spire height47.2 metres (155 ft)
Administration
ProvinceChennai
DioceseMadras and Mylapore
Clergy
ArchbishopArchbishop George Antonysamy (2012–present)
Priest(s)Rev. Fr. M. Arulraj
Assistant priest(s)Fr. Antony Anand
AssistantFr. Dyson Raja Rathinam
  1. ^ Santhome Basilica in Chennai — A historical pilgrimage Archived 30 August 2021 at the Wayback Machine indiastudychannel.com. Retrieved 30 August 2021
  2. ^ "Basilica of the National Shrine of St.Thomas". SanThomeChurch.com. Archived from the original on 26 February 2015. Retrieved 20 February 2010.
  3. ^ National Shrine Status Archived 27 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine