St. Mary’s Church is one of the historic monuments in Chennai. Located within the historic site of Fort St. George, St. Mary’s Church is a reminder of the British Raj in India, looked after by the Archaeological Survey of India.
About St. Mary’s Church :
St. Mary’s Church, built in 1680, is considered as the oldest Anglican Church in Asia. Known also as ‘Westminster Abbey of the East’, St. Mary’s Church derives its name from its origin in the Annunciation day of Virgin Mary.
St. Mary’s Church was originally built as a Garrison Church by William Dixon of the British East India Company, as per the design of Edward Fowle. It was later transformed in to a military dormitory by the French. Later, Sanctuary, Steeple, Tower and the Vestry were added to the church. The church top was added in 1795 by Colonel Gent.
St. Mary’s Church is a bomb-proof structure with an outer finishing of polished lime. The interior of the church is decorated with wooden and glass furnishings along with a painting of the Last Supper.
The courtyard of the church contains the oldest British tombs in India. Memorial tablets and earliest register of baptisms, marriages and burials in India can also be found at St. Mary’s Church.
Attraction St. Mary’s Church In Chennai :
St Mary’s Church, South Asia’s oldest Anglican English church, is located near the Fort Museum, Chennai. Built in 1680, it is one of the oldest buildings carrying the legacy of British Raj in India. The thick walls of the church, of nearly thickness 5 ft, are supposed to be explosion proof. One can see some price worthy ancient materials in this church. The church adorns a copy of Leonardo da Vinci’s superb painting the Last Supper, a bible as old as 1660 AD, some silver plates and a pure silver plaque. The church is open daily from 9:00 hrs to 17:00 hrs. Lots of tourists are attracted to this church.
Features of St. Mary’s Church in Chennai :
- St. Mary’s Church in Chennai was built by William Dixon and designed by Edward Fowle.
- With an anti-bomb structure having a finishing coat of polished lime, St. Mary’s Church in Chennai has the altar piece, a splendid painting of the last supper, a bible and silver plates.
- Later various changes and additions were made to the site including the Sanctuary, Steeple, Tower and the Vestry.
- St. Mary’s Church in Chennai has the church top, which was added in 1795.
- You will be impressed by the interior of the church decked with the wooden work and glass arches.
- St. Mary’s Church in Chennai also has tombstones, memorial tablets, earliest register of baptisms, marriages and burials in India.
History St. Mary’s Church in Chennai :
This Church was established in 1642. It also served as the Church of the Prefects of the Capuchin Mission at Madras. This Church was built by Fr Ephraim de Nevers in 1658. When the Vicar Apostolic of Madras, Dr. Joseph Colgan, became the first Archbishop of Madras in 1886, this church was raised to the dignity of a Cathedral. In 1952, when the Archdiocese of Madras- Mylapore was formed, this Church became the Co-Cathedral of the new Archdiocese. Devotion to St Anthony is very popular here. On 8th September 2005 the present Archbishop His Grace, Most Rev Dr A M Chinnappa SDB DD Ph D issued a decree elevating this Parish a Shrine of the Archdiocese.
In memoriam of St. Mary’s Church :
By 8 a.m., I’m studying wet tombstones, spot-lit by sunshine. ‘Here lies interred the body of Anne daughter of John’
one reads. It is dated 1701. Anne was only 16 years old when she was buried. The church interiors are still more
beautiful, still more poignant. Stained glass filters the light; beautiful marble plaques speak up for the dead. I walk
around, admiring the courtyard (hill station green, hill station quiet), the ‘Last Supper’ at the altar, brought from
Pondicherry in 1761, painted long before in Europe.
At 8.30 a.m., marching feet and clipped cries of ‘left, right, left’ draw me out of the church. Nine uniformed men
stamp their feet and keep rhythm perpendicular to Church Street.
Opposite the steeple, on Charles and James Street, Clive’s House — now housing the Archaeological Survey of India —
is neatly reflected in a huge puddle. Soaring cream columns hug tall rows of blue-shuttered windows; with its elegant
arches and wooden staircases, it was, in 1753, Robert Clive’s residence. I almost expect him to walk out of the locked
Clive’s corner, but an army truck from Jabalpur trundles part, shatters the moment. At the back, two young officers
sharing an iPod smile back shyly.
Mass Timings St. Mary’s Church In Chennai :
Sunday Mass – Timings/Language : 6.15 am & 7.15 am – Tamil
8.30 am & 6.00 pm – English
Eucharistic Chapel Timings: 8.00 am to 4.00 pm [week day]
Address St. Mary’s Church :
St. Mary’s Church
George Town
63/110, Armenian Street,
Chennai – 600 001.