St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica is also known as Santhome Church or National Shrine of Saint Thomas. This is a Roman Catholic Minor Basilica. This Church was built over the tomb of Saint Thomas and one of the twelve apostles of Jesus. This Church was built by  Portuguese explorers during 16th Century. In the year 1893 British rebuilt this Church with the status of a Cathedral. This Cathedral is built by following Neo-Gothic style of architecture. This Church is one of the three known Churches in the world which is built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus, the other two being St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Galicia Spain. The Beautiful main area of the Church called as the nave and awe-inspiring chandeliers are hanged in the ceiling. The stained glass windows behind the main altar showcase the live history of St. Thomas and other apostles of Jesus Christ. There is a huge statue of Jesus kept inside the Prayer hall.  Pilgrims can find a statue of the great St. Thomas in his final Resting Place. This Church was renovated in the year 2004. This is considered to be one of the Largest Churches in Chennai. There is a huge museum with several important artefacts which provides intricate details of this Church. This Museum also has the spear or the lance head that was used to kill St. Thomas. This Museum also has the collections of The great apostle’s fingerprint, an Episcopal chair, two postage stamps, inscriptions of his deeds on stones, the remains of his bones and wall paintings portraying St. Thomas’s life and death. There is a mini theatre showcasing the short film on the life history of St. Thomas is yet another interesting feature of this Church. A old sundial is found at the rear end of the Basilica. During Christmas and Easter Festival this Church attracts huge devotees from far and near. Third day of every month is dedicated to St. Thomas and second Saturday of every month is dedicated to the Lady of Mylapore.

Timing: 6 AM to 8 PM

Contact Phone : 044-2498 0758