St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, Chennai

San Thome Church, officially known as St Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas, is a minor basilica of the Catholic Church in India, at the Santhome neighbourhood of Chennai, in Tamil Nadu. The present structure dates back to 1523 AD, when it was built by the Portuguese over the tomb of Thomas the Apostle.^[1] 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. 13°2′1″N 80°16′40″E / 13.03361°N 80.27778°E / 13.03361; 80.27778

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	santhomechurch.com
History
Authorising papal bull	16 March 1956
Status	Minor basilica[2]
Founded	1523 (501 years ago)
Founder(s)	Portuguese explorers
Dedication	St. Thomas the Apostle
Relics held	Thomas the Apostle (claimed)
Architecture
Functional status	Active
Heritage designation	National Shrine[3]
Architect(s)	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(s)	Rev. Fr. M. Arulraj
Assistant priest(s)	Fr. Antony Anand
Assistant	Fr. Dyson Raja Rathinam