San Thome Basilica, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

San Thome Basilica 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, and rebuilt again with the status of a cathedral by the British in 1893. The British version still stands today. It was designed in Neo-Gothic style, favoured by British architects in the late 19th century.

History
Christian tradition holds that that St. Thomas arrived in Kerala from Palestine in 52 A.D. preached between 52 A.D. and 72 A.D., when he was martyred on St. Thomas Mount. The basilica is built over the site where he was believed originally to be interred. San Thome Basilica is the principal church of the Madras-Mylapore Catholic Archdiocese. In 1956, Pope Pius XII raised the church to the status of a Minor Basilica, and on February 11, 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.

Evening view of the basilica

Interior view of the basilica (before renovation)

The nave of the basilica

San Thome Basilica
San Thome Basilica
 / 13.03361; 80.27778
Location	Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Country	India
Denomination	Roman Catholic
Website	www.santhomebasilica.com
History
Former name(s)	San Thome Church
Dedication	St. Thomas
Relics held	Bone of St. Thomas
Architecture
Status	Minor Basilica[1]
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	National Shrine[2]
Designated	7 February, 2006
Style	Gothic
Completed	1523
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. Malayappan Chinnappa