St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai
13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E
| Santhome Church | |
|---|---|
| National Shrine of Saint Thomas Basilica | |
Santhome Basilica | |
| Location | 38 Santhome High Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
| Country | India |
| Language(s) | Tamil and English |
| Denomination | Catholic Church |
| Tradition | Latin Church |
| Website | www |
| History | |
| Authorising papal bull | 16 March 1956 |
| Status | Minor basilica |
| Founded | 1523 (503 years ago) |
| Founder | Portuguese explorers |
| Dedication | Thomas the Apostle |
| Relics held | Thomas the Apostle |
| Architecture | |
| Functional status | Active |
| Heritage designation | National Shrine |
| Architect | Captain J. A. Power (current structure) |
| Style | Neo-Gothic |
| Groundbreaking | 1500 |
| Completed | 1523 (Current building 1896) |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 64 metres (210 ft) |
| Width | 12.2 metres (40 ft) |
| Nave width | 10 metres (33 ft) |
| Height | 41 metres (135 ft) |
| Spire height | 47.2 metres (155 ft) |
| Administration | |
| Province | Chennai |
| Diocese | Madras and Mylapore |
| Clergy | |
| Archbishop | Archbishop George Antonysamy (2012–present) |
| Priest | Rev Fr Vincent Chinnadurai |
| Assistant priest | Rev Fr Micheal Andrew |
San Thome Church, officially known as the National Shrine of St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, is a church of the Catholic Church in India, at the Santhome neighbourhood of Chennai, in Tamil Nadu. It is the cathedral of the Archdiocese of Madras-Mylapore, and a minor basilica dedicated to Saint Thomas the Apostle. The present structure dates back to 1523 AD, when it was built by the Portuguese over the tomb of Thomas. In 1896, it was renovated in the Madras province according to neo-Gothic designs, as was favoured by British architects in the late 19th century. On April 1, 1896, it was solemnly consecrated by Bishop Reed da Silva of Madras, assisted by the Bishop of Dhaka, Peter Joseph Hurth.