From a very old time, Chennai is also known as a home for a large number of Christians. It was during the 1500s when Europeans such as French, Portuguese, Dutch, and many more communities came to Tamil Nadu, and that was the era when the city blessed with some of the beautiful churches of India. The city has got some of the finest churches which you can visit to see the rich culture of the Christians. The beautifully constructed churches of the city attract not only Christians but every visitor to witness the splendid architectural designs of these holy places. Here is a list of 11 best churches in Chennai you can visit while traveling to the city.
Breathtaking Beauty of These 11 Churches in Chennai
1. Santhome Church
Initially, this church was erected by the Portuguese traders in the 16th century and rebuilt by the Britishers in 1893. As per the Christian mythology, St Thomas – one of the 12 disciplines of Jesus Christ, visited the place in 52 A.D and stayed till 72 A.D which makes the church an important place for the devotees. A massive crowd can be seen here during Christmas, as a number of Indian Christians and other people visit this beautiful place.
- Location: Santhome High Road
- Timings: 6 AM-9 PM
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2. St Mary’s Church
Built in 1679, this was the first Anglican Church which was built by the East India Company in India. The magnificent structure of St Mary’s Church is about 60/90 feet in area, and the wall of the church is 4 feet in thickness which can easily deal with the explosives. There are different treasure items which visitors of this church can see in the church along with the mind-blowing interior.
- Location: Rajaji Salai
- Timings: 8:30 AM-6 PM
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3. Armenian Church
One of the oldest churches of India, this church came into existence in the year 1712. Dedicated to Virgin Mary, this is another important place for the devotees as it believed that the wishes can be fulfilled here at Armenian Church. Due to this magical reason, many people visit the pious destination to seek the blessing of the God. The place looks amazing during festive days like Christmas under the glittering decoration.
- Location: Armenian Street
- Timings: 9:30 AM-2:30 PM
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4. CSI Holy Cross Church
CSI Church is another one of the old religious places for the Christians. Built 120 years ago, the church was initially known as the Perambur Railway Church as railway authorities were taking care of it. The church is also known for being the successor of the Anglican and Protestant denomination in India. Being one of the oldest churches in Chennai, CSI holy cross church attracts many visitors and it is another fine church where you can feel the peace of mind.
- Location: Siruvallur High Road
- Timings: 9 AM-9 PM
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5. Velankanni Church
This church is one of the major attractions of Chennai which is located on Eliot’s beach. Although the church is smaller in size, it never fails to impress its visitors with its beauty and peaceful environment. It is dedicated to Madonna- who is considered as the Lady of Health for the Christians. You will truly love and admire the architecture of the church as it depicts many beautiful sculptures of Jesus on its walls.
- Location: Annai Velankanni Road
- Timings: 6:30 AM-7 PM
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6. St. Andrews Church
This church is very popular and is well-known as the queen of East’s Scottish churches. Many devotees visit the church for finding the peace of mind along with seeking the blessings of Jesus. The design and architecture of the church are constructed beautifully and the church shines amazingly in its white and black marbles. Another attraction in the church is its dome which mesmerizes the visitors with its sky blue appearance.
- Location: Poonamallee High Road
- Timings: 7 AM-6 PM
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7. St. Thomas Mount
This church was constructed in the memory of Thomas who was Jesus Christ Apostle. It is believed that the legend used to pray and preach at this location and thus the place is considered as Holy and pure by the people. You can witness a number of paintings related to the legend on the walls of the church which reflects and signifies the life and throughout the journey of the pure legend.
- Location: Parangi Malai
- Timings: 6 AM-8 PM
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8. Descanso Church
Amidst the many churches available in Chennai, each of them has its own significance and relevance. Talking about this particular church, it was constructed in the 17th century with the idea to offer the perfect blend of cultural and religious beauty. The church was constructed at a place where St. Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus, used to serve the people along with taking rest. The place is calm and peaceful for offering relaxation to the visitors.
- Location: St. Mary’s Road
- Timings: 6 AM-8 PM
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9. St.George’s Cathedral
Being one of the most famous churches in Chennai, this place has been attracting many visitors and tourists with its beauty and architecture. The church’s architecture is nothing less than a treat to the eyes and thus it pulls the attention of many people visiting the place. The church was constructed in the year 1815 with some striking features. One of the major reasons to visit the church is the graveyard built with emblems of war.
- Location: Gopalapuram
- Timings: 6 AM-6 PM
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10. St.Patrick’s Cathedral
It won’t be wrong to say that the church is one of the most visited churches of Chennai. Along with many Christian devotees, the church is visited by many other devotees of other religions. It is believed that the church is blessed with some supernatural powers as many people are cured of their illness after visiting the church. The beauty of the church is totally unmatched during the time of Christmas.
- Location: Butt Road, Saint Thomas Mount
- Timings: 6 AM-10 PM
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11. St.Theresa Church
This church is one of those churches which were built by the Britishers. The church was made in the year 1970 and includes many attractions which are completely unmatched with any other churches available in Chennai. The church witnesses maximum crowd of devotees during October’s first Sunday, which is considered as St. Theresa’s festival. Just like many other churches, Christmas is the time which enhances the beauty of the church to multiple times.
- Location: Nungambakkam High Road
- Timings: 9 AM-8 PM
These churches in Chennai are a true example of beauty, culture and heritage treasures of the city. Make sure you visit all these churches as you will witness something distinguishing in all these churches. These churches are also visited for relaxing from the daily stress and working complexities. Comment below and share with us your experiences, once you have visited these churches. Also, let us know the uniqueness that you found in each of these churches.
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