C.S.I. St. George's Cathedral — Attraction in Zone 9 Teynampet

St. George’s Cathedral is a Church of South India (previously "Church of England" and "Anglican") cathedral in Chennai India. The cathedral was built in 1815. St. George’s occupies an important place in the history of Christianity in India, as the Church of South India was inaugurated here on September 27, 1947. The Cathedral was packed and the big pandal outside held over 2,000 people. It marked the breaking down of ecclesiasticalbarriers between Protestants of various traditions.

The architecture of St. George’s Cathedral is remarkable for its tall spire, pillars, marble statues, mural tablets and memorials inside. The Cathedral is a piece of architectural grandeur resting on a tier of steps. The Governors of Fort St. GeorgeFort and their families worshipped here as also the Viceroys when they visited Madras.

The Church was opened in 1815. It is stated that the church was completed by the people themselves with the aid of a lottery fund. It cost 41,709 pagoda and with the furniture, the organ and the architect’s commission increasing the cost to 57,225 pagodas. 1 Pagoda was equivalent to 3.50 Indian Rupees.

The British East India CompanyBritish''s Senior Engineer Col. J.L Caldwell designed the church, and his assistant Captain De Havilland finished the construction. The site with an advantageous location was called the Choultry Plain. Though the Presidency Chaplain conducted the services from 1815, it was on 6 January 1816, that the first Anglican Bishop of Calcutta, Rt. Rev. Thomas Fanshaw Middleton consecrated the church to “the service of God according to the use of the Church of England”. The stained glass windows of St. George's Cathedral are a marvel by itself. On either side of the altar in vibrant colours are two panels describing two important events in the life of Jesus. The left panel is a vivid depiction of the Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. One can see the Holy Spirit descending in the form of a dove. The right panel depicts the resurrected Lord with Mary Magdalene. There are stained glass panels on top of all the doors of the Cathedral. Sunlight filters through these shining examples of medieval art, leaving the entire Cathedral bathed in rich, warm hues.

The Cathedral has eight bells that were manufactured by Messrs Mears & Steinbank, Founders, London in the year 1871. They were presented to St. George’s Cathedral by Mr. G. Banbury during Christmas 1873. The chiming device was donated by Rev. Thomas Foulkes. All the eight bells vary in size. The height of the largest bell is 42”, its diameter is 48” and its circumference 150” approximately. The smallest bell is 24” in height, 30” in diameter and approximately 94” in circumference. These bells were installed inside the central portion of the pinnacle below the clock and about 50’ above the ground level. They are fixed on wooden beams about one foot in thickness on all sides — four bells at the bottom and...

This beautiful, grand, white church is tucked away from the noise and commotion of the nearby Gemini flyover, offering a place of solemn prayer and solitude. The Cathedral built in 1815 recently celebrated its bicentennary.

The iconic Neo Classical structure with its beautiful porch supported by tall Ionic columns, tall steeple and long nave was designed and constructed by Col. J.L. Caldwell & Captain De Havilland. The interior comprises of a long nave with two aisles again supported by tall columns. A number of white marble epitaphs and memorials dot the walls of the church. The beautiful stained glass windows on either side of the Altar, and the magnificent pipe organ add to the grandeur of the church. A graveyard is found next to the church with a small chapel inside the premises.

The Church was elevated to the status of a Cathedral in 1835 and in 1947 it witnessed the formation of the Church of South India. Today it continues to serve as a place of worship drawing in a number of worshipers who come to partake in the worship service as well as visitors who admire the beauty and grandeur of the church and it's...

The Cathedral is over 200 years old but with one coat of paint it will look like it was built only yesterday because it is well maintained - the lawns aren't maintained as much though. I can't say that the Cathedral is beautiful but There's so much character in the Cathedral. It looks so grand. There are plaques to commemorate people who have passed away -on the walls right from the entrance till the end of the prayer hall. It is quite interesting to read them all - each plaque offers a glimpse into the life of that person being remembered. You will also find plaques commemorating British Officers who were murdered during the Freedom Struggle by Rebel Freedom Fighters. You can say that the walls are almost like a mini museum. The vintage furniture too looks like it has been there for very long but it is solid - I never found them creaking. You could get lost just by looking at it and being in it. It calms...