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ST. THOMAS
MOUNT
 Built
in 1523 by the Portugese, a small relic-filled Church stands at
the summit of the 300 foot high St. Thomas Mount. This is the site
where Saint Thomas (apostle of Jesus Christ) was said to be killed.
Among the relics is the 'bleeding Cross' believed to have been
made by the saint himself. Above the altar is a painting of the
Madonna considered to be the work of St. Luke.
A flight of 160 steps leads up to the summit of the Mount.
ST. MARY'S
IN THE FORT
 Visitors
to St. Mary's Church will be reminded of the men who built
Madras (now Chennai) and also of the institutions they gave to the
city. This Church, often described as the Westminster Abbey of
the East, is the oldest British building in Chennai and also
the first Anglican Church built in Asia.
St. Mary's Church was built largely from personal donations. Excavations
for the Church building began in the Fort St. George premises,
during Governor Streynsham's tenure and its construction
was completed in 1679. The Church was christened St. Mary's as its
foundation was laid on the Annunciation day of the
Virgin Mary (the feast observed by Christians to mark the
day when Mary was told of God's plan that she would be Mother of
Jesus).
 The
original building, which William Dixon built and Edward
Fowle embellished, was a rectangular structure in brick and
polished in lime, with a bomb-proof, curved roof. Some of the later
additions to the building include the Sanctuary, Steeple (1710),
Tower (1701) and the Vestry. The Spire to the Church was added in
1795 and was designed by Colonel Gent. The interior of the
Church has beautiful wooden work and stained glass arches. In 1985,
artisans, from Karaikudi, undertook a major restoration work.
The altarpiece - a huge painting of The Last Supper drawn
by an unknown artist, is only one of the attractions to the visitors.
The tombstones, memorial tablets on the six detached pillars and
the Church Records bring back memories of the city's past. The Church
also has the earliest register of Baptisms, Marriages and Burials
in the country. The Visitors Book, dating from 1903-1947, is also
an interesting piece from the past.
St. Mary's started as a Church of the first congregation, then
became the Governors congregation. Later it became a Garrison Church
and today it remains a monument protected by the Archaeological
Survey Of India.
| SOME INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT THE CHURCH |
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Rev. Richard Portman was the first Chaplain
of the St.Mary's Church. Took charge on 28th October
1679.
The French converted the Church into a military dormitory,
in 1746, after the occupation of Fort St. George.
The Princess of Tanjore in 1877 presented the
altar rails to the Church.
The first marriage to be celebrated in this Church
was that of Elihu Yale and Catherine Hynmers
on November 4th 1680.
St. Mary's Church started the first organised charity
in Madras (1782) and also ran the first hospital
in India on western lines (1664)
The scribed tombstone of Elizabeth Baker - 1652,
in the Church, is the oldest British inscription
in India.
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