Planning a trip to Chennai, and looking for the best places to explore? If you’re an admirer of historically significant structures and love spiritual experiences at the same time, you should visit some of the city’s churches.
Ranging from quaint chapels to grand cathedrals, these offer an enriching experience of the religious heritage of Chennai. But if you’re in the city for a limited time and looking to make the most of it, you’ll need to pick the most interesting of all.
Table of Contents
- The 5 Best Churches to Explore in Chennai
- St. Thomas Mount
- San Thome Basilica
- St. Andrew’s Church
- Armenian Church
- St. George’s Cathedral
- Wrapping Up
The 5 Best Churches to Explore in Chennai
Here are the must-visit churches in Chennai that you can explore comfortably by booking rides through a reliable taxi service app:
St. Thomas Mount
St. Thomas Mount, built in 1726, is one of the oldest and most prominent churches in the city, which can be easily accessed by devotees through 134 granite steps. Climbing these steps, built by Armenian merchant Petrus Uscan, is viewed as an act of sacrifice and penance.
Speaking of its accessibility, if you choose to hire a car in Chennai, you can reach the spot in around half an hour.
Back in the 16th and 17th centuries, the church served as a lighthouse for Armenian and Portuguese vessels and ships in the Bay of Bengal. Legend has it that when sailors spotted the church, they prayed for a safe voyage, following which they fired their artillery as a respectful gesture towards the church.
San Thome Basilica
Not very far from St. Thomas Mount is this well-known church, which attracts visitors from across the globe. Built in a classic Neo-Gothic style, it houses the tomb of the Apostle St. Thomas and features intricate windows of stained glass and towering spires.
This Roman Catholic minor basilica was built by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century and was later rebuilt in 1893 by the British. Interestingly, this is one of the only three churches in the world that are built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus.
Notably, this church is a mere 8 km drive from the Chennai Railway Station, which can be covered in 15-20 minutes if you book a cab via a reliable taxi service app.
St. Andrew’s Church
Next up, St Andrew’s Church stands out for its mesmerising Scottish architecture, attracting visitors from far and wide. The combination of Victorian and Gothic styles is another significant feature, with the towering spire creating a stunning spectacle against the city’s skyline.
Built in 1821 for the Scottish community in Chennai, the church also includes a huge, bright blue dome at its back. Interestingly, its bright blue colour results from the use of lapis lazuli, a metamorphic rock.
Altogether, the imposing pillars, blue dome, and stained glass panels of the church enhance its visual appeal. When it comes to commuting to the church, you can either travel via the Egmore or Chennai Central stations or hire a car in Chennai from these locations.
Armenian Church
With its magnificent woodwork and captivating stained glass windows, the Armenian Church is one of the most striking churches in the city. It was built in the 18th century and stands as a memorial to the community of Armenians who once resided in Chennai.
The plot of land where the church stands was granted by the British East India Company to the Armenians, who gradually built the structure in 1712. Notably, the church stands in the Georgetown area, a noisy neighbourhood, which is also the city’s trading hub.
More than just being a place for offering prayers, the church is a museum that’s filled with interesting stories from the past. The tombstones in the church grounds date back many centuries, with each telling a story to the beholders.
To reach the church, you can hire a cab service in Chennai—it’s a mere 10-minute drive from the Chennai Central Railway Station.
St. George’s Cathedral
Built as early as 1815, St. George’s Cathedral was partly founded by the Christian population of the city. Notably, it played a key part in forming the Church of South India, which marked the union of Protestant denominations in South India.
The walls of St. George’s Cathedral are decorated with tablets that commemorate well-known government officials and British officers. What’s more, the cathedral houses an elegant pipe organ that’s more than 200 years old.
The railway station nearest to St. George’s Cathedral is Chennai Central, from where you may also opt for a local cab service in Chennai.
Wrapping Up
Chennai’s churches aren’t just places of worship; they’re timeless storytellers. From the misty steps of St. Thomas Mount to the quiet charm of the Armenian Church, each one carries whispers of the past, wrapped in beauty and grace. And with so much to take in, why rush?
Let Savaari Car Rentals be your travel companion—giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace, with comfort and ease. Book your ride, hit the road, and let Chennai’s sacred side unfold around you.
