{"id":20522,"date":"2013-07-19T10:10:56","date_gmt":"2013-07-19T04:40:56","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.bharatestates.com\/blog\/?p=20522"},"modified":"2020-06-15T03:54:27","modified_gmt":"2020-06-14T22:24:27","slug":"st-thomas-cathedral-the-first-anglican-church-in-mumbai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bharatestates.com\/blog\/st-thomas-cathedral-the-first-anglican-church-in-mumbai\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Thomas Cathedral \u2013 The First Anglican Church in Mumbai"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"St.-Thomas-Cathedral\"Among the Christian religious places of Mumbai city St. Thomas Cathedral has an important place because it is the first Anglican Church in the island city of Mumbai. This church is situated at Veer Nariman Road which was previously known as Churchgate Street. Importat landmarks close to the church are Horniman Circle Gardens and Flora Fountain. This ancient church was completed in the year 1718 and on the auspicious day of Christmas of the same year it was opened for divine services to public. This church was created with an aim to boost the morale of growing British settlements in the city of Mumbai. The Churchgate station has got its name from this church.The foundation stone of the church was laid back in the year 1676 but it took almost forty years to shape up the church as the construction was stalled in between then resumed later in the year 1715 and completed in 1718. The church was completed by Richard Robe. Since 1718 this church is serving the Christian community of Mumbai. After more than a century in July 1837 this church was sanctified and the next year some additions to the church structure were done. These additions included the tower at the church and the clock at the western end. Due to the humid climate of Mumbai city this ancient structure was decaying and about twenty five years after the new additions to the structure a major renovation was done.The purpose of renovation was to conserve the structure as well as to enlarge the chancel and this renovation completed in the year 1865. As it is common in most of the British era churches to have tombs, this church was also a place of rest for many Britons under the decorative marble tablets with touching messages. Among these Britons include the generals as well as clerks who are lying together here. In 2004 this cathedral was selected for UNESCO Asia Pacific heritage conservation award.The St. Thomas Cathedral is designed Neo Classical and Neo Gothic styles of architecture. Plaster of Paris is used to decorate the interiors of the cathedral along with polished brass, arched windows, stained designer glasses, etc. in the interiors you will also see the memorials of many Britons. Initially the roof was made cannon ball proof but after decay it was rebuilt using cemented slabs. St. Thomas was one of the twelve Disciples of Christ and the church was named after him.This magnificent Anglican Church was created to honour St. Thomas. Though this cathedral is quite significant religiously and religions never separate people based on the classes made by society but people did. During eighteenth and nineteenth century the church was divided based on different classes of society and that is why there used to be a separate section for inferior women of society. The current structure is disintegrating slowly due to the harsh weather and humid climate but still it is standing to make you feel its presence. If you are interested in attending the spiritual union at the church then you can visit the place on Sunday at 8.40 am.Timings of church<\/strong>From 6.30 am to 6.00 pm everydayAccessibility<\/strong>The church can be reached by using local buses, taxis, autos or trains from any part of city.Closest landmark areas<\/strong>Horniman circle, M. G. Road, LokandwalaClose by attractions<\/strong><\/p>\n