San Thome Basilica | |
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Basilica of the National Shrine of St.Thomas | |
![]() San Thome Basilica
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13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°ECoordinates: 13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E | |
Location | Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
Country | India |
Denomination | Roman Catholic (Latin Rite) |
Website | www.santhomechurch.com |
History | |
Former name(s) | San Thome Church |
Authorising papal bull | 16 March 1956 |
Dedication | St. Thomas |
Relics held | Bone of St. Thomas |
Architecture | |
Status | Minor Basilica |
Functional status | Active |
Heritage designation | National Shrine |
Designated | 7 February 2006 |
Style | Neo-Gothic |
Completed | 1523 (Current building 1896) |
Specifications | |
Length | 64 metres (210 ft) |
Width | 12.2 metres (40 ft) |
Nave width | 10 metres (33 ft) |
Spire height | 47.2 metres (155 ft) |
Clergy | |
Archbishop | Abp. George Antonysamy |
San Thome Basilica (Tamil: சாந்தோம் பசிலிக்கா, Cān-Tōm Pacilikkā; Portuguese: Basílica de São Tomé) is a Roman Catholic (Latin Rite) minor basilica in Santhome, in the city of Chennai (Madras), India. It was built in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers, over the tomb of St Thomas, an apostle of Jesus. In 1893, it was rebuilt as a church with the status of a cathedral by the British. The British version still stands today. It was designed in Neo-Gothic style, favoured by British architects in the late 19th century. This church is one of the only three known churches in the world built over the tomb of an apostle of Jesus.
St Thomas, one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, arrived at Muziris in present-day Kerala state in India from Judea in A.D. 52 and preached between A.D. 52 and A.D 72, when he was martyred on St. Thomas Mount.
San Thome Basilica is the principal church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madras and Mylapore. In 1956, Pope Pius XII raised the church to the status of a Basilica Minor, and on 11 February 2006, it was declared a national shrine by the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India. The San Thome Basilica is a pilgrimage centre for Christians in India. The church also has an attached museum.