Houses of the Holy - Chennai's historic churches

While the eastern seaboard of India is dotted with temples built by dynasty after dynasty in propitiation of, or gratitude for, celestial favours rendered, Chennai has some very beautiful churches of antiquity.

St Andrews Kirk is considered one of the ten most beautiful Georgian buildings in the world. Consecrated in 1821, it has exquisite stained glass windows and panels shipped from Scotland.

St Thomas Basilica at Santhome, Mylapore, is where one of the twelve apostles of Jesus Christ was buried after his martyrdom in AD 72. The museum at the back of the church has many such interesting relics and is a must-visit.

St Thomas Mount offers a generous panorama of the flat countryside of Chennai. The hillock is venerated as the site of the martyrdom of St Thomas. At its top is a shrine to Our Lady of Expectation, built in 1523.

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