St. Thomé Basilica, Chennai

San Thomé Basilica, located near Marina Beach in Chennai, is one of only three churches in the world built over the tomb of an Apostle of Jesus - St. Thomas, otherwise known as “Doubting Thomas.” An emboldened St. Thomas came to India in 52AD on the West Coast, preaching and setting up churches in the region of Kerala before making his way to the Eastern side of India, including Chennai. It was on a hill now known as “St. Thomas Mount” where he was martyred. The present-day church was erected over his tomb.

In 1956, Pope Pius XII elevated the church to the rank of a minor Basilica. Pope John Paul II also visited this important religious site.

San Thomé Basilica is built in the Gothic style, a distinctive landmark of Chennai. A large church, it is 155 feet in height with a nave of 112 x 33 feet and is filled with tall stained glass windows depicting St. Thomas and the other Apostles. The front of the church has a large crucifix sculpture of Jesus, with its kind eyes transfixed upon the viewer.

Off to one side a sculpture of Madonna and Child - “Our Lady of Mylapore” was encased behind glass, framed by a “curtain” of jasmine and other garlands of flowers. The basilica also includes a smaller adjoining chapel for mass, a small museum, gift shop, and a recently added entrance to the lower level where worshipers and tourists alike can view St. Thomas’ tomb without impacting services above.

I received a personal tour of the basilica, led by a young travel agent who proudly traces his ancestry back as a descendant of one of the original “St. Thomas Christians”. Some of the most important events in his life and that of his family took place within these walls – as well as being a central figure in daily life. The sky, initially a bright blue when we arrived, was now fading into an early evening sunset. In front of the church several men made preparations for carrying a smaller replica of a praying Mary around the church grounds.

See more photos on my website. For more information on San Thomé Basilica, visit this official website

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