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Chennai is one of the major tourist spots in South India, and also one among the best travel destinations in India. The attractive beaches, temples, monumental wonders and modern attractions - Chennai has it all.
The Armenian Church is one of the unique attractions in Chennai. Let us take a virtual tour of this beautiful church.
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Built in 1712, the Armenian Church is one of the oldest churches in India. The church is also known as the Armenian Church of Virgin Mary, and is located in the Armenian Street in Chennai. Today, the church is maintained only as a heritage site.
A Bit Of History
During the colonial times, Chennai (then known as Madras) was one of the major trading centres of South India. Armenians (mostly from Iraq) were significant traders of South-East Asia. The Armenians have built several churches across their territories, and the Armenian Church in Chennai is one of them. The Armenian churches in India include the ones in Kolkata and Mumbai as well.
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What's Unique About The Church?
One of the specialities of the church is its bell tower. There are six bells of varying sizes at the tower, which are considered as the heaviest bells of Chennai with each bell weighing around 150 kg. Each bell was cast during different times of history, which is mentioned as inscriptions on the bell. These bells are rung every Sunday at 9.30 AM by the caretaker of the church.
Another unique feature is the graves laid out in the church premises. You can find the graves of around 350 Armenians here.
Opening Hours
The church is open to visitors on all days from 9 AM to 2.30 PM.
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How To Reach The Armenian Church In Chennai
The church is located in the Armenian Street which is in Parry's Corner of George Town in Chennai city. The Chennai Beach Railway Station is just a 5-minute walk away from the church. You can take an auto rickshaw or taxi to reach the church from anywhere in the city. Here's how to reach Chennai.
Other Churches In Chennai
The other famous churches in the city include the San Thome Church, St. Theresa's Church, St. Patrick's Cathedral and St. George's Cathedral. For other attractions in Chennai, click here.
