St Thomas' Cathedral, Mumbai
Tower of St Thomas' Anglican Cathedral, Mumbai. Photo
Craig Moe.
Interior of the cathedral. Photo
eviltomthai.
British memorials. Photo
eviltomthai.
General view of the interior. Photo
Andi Hefti.Once the place of worship of the East India Company, the Anglican St Thomas' Cathedral is believed to be the oldest British building in Mumbai. It was completed in 1718 in a Neoclassical/Gothic style and contains the tombs of many British parishioners.
History
The Cathedral of St Thomas (named for the first apostle to India) was begun by Governor Aungier in 1676, but after his death the project was abandoned. The church stood neglected with walls 5 meters high for around 40 years until it was adopted by an East India Company chaplain around 1710.
St Thomas', the first Anglican church in Mumbai, was finally opened on Christmas Day 1718. The cathedral was given the essential "cannon-ball-proof" roof and was originally divided into sections for different classes of society, including one for "Inferior Women."
What to See
St Thomas' Cathedral is a blend of Neo-Classical and Neo-Gothic styles, with a white exterior.
The interior looks much the same today as it did in the 18th century, whitewashed and furnished with polished brass, wood and stained glass windows.
The walls are lined with ornate memorials to British parishioners, many of whom died young of disease or in battle.
Quick Facts
| Names: | St Thomas' Cathedral |
| Type of site: | Cathedral |
| Faith: | Anglican Christianity |
| Status: | Active |
| Dates: | 1676-1718 |
| Architecture: | Neoclassical and Neo-Gothic |
| Location: | Tamarind Street, downtown Mumbai, India |
| Hours: | Daily 6:30am-6pm |
| Cost: | Free |
Map
Below is a location map and aerial view of St Thomas' Cathedral. Using the buttons on the left, zoom in for a closer look or zoom out to get your bearings. Click and drag the map to move around. For a larger view, see our Mumbai Map or get our free Google Earth download.
Travel Planning Links
- Mumbai Hotel Reviews - TripAdvisor
- Mumbai Flight Search - TripAdvisor
- Mumbai Travel Forum - TripAdvisor
Sources
- Rough Guide India 6 (October 2005), 713.
- St Thomas Cathedral - Planetware
