St. Thomas Cathedral
The Cathedral of St. Thomas is one of the most prestigious landmarks in the city of Mumbai. Built in 1718, the cathedral is a standing example and symbol of the early British settlement. The Cathedral was built in an effort to maintain and possibly improve the standards of the British settlement. The first Anglican Church in the city, St. Thomas Cathedral holds tremendous religious significance for the Christian population of Mumbai. The Cathedral is bedecked with exquisite embellishments and is a towering monument representing peace and solitude. This church was named after St. Thomas, who was one of the 12 Disciples of Christ and who was also the apostle to India. Most of the monuments inside the Cathedral are a witness to Bombay’s regal history, although the building is now slowly disintegrating in parts. Here, Holy Communion is held every Sunday at 8:40 AM. To know more about this grand edifice, read on.
Location:D.N Road, Churchgate, Mumbai
Architecture:
St. Thomas Cathedral was built to Neo-Classical and Neo-Gothic styles with a white façade. The interiors of this cathedral mirror the interiors of the St. Thomas Cathedral in Ireland, and look much the same today as they did when it was first built in the 18th century. The interiors are delicately lined with Plaster Of Paris, polished brass, stained glass, arched windows and memorials dedicated to the late British parishioners. The roof was made ‘cannon-ball-proof’, though many parts of the roof have disintegrated and have been replaced with cemented slabs.
Nearby Places:
Asiatic Society of Mumbai – 0.17 km
Flora Fountain – 0.26 km
Bombay High Court – 0.40 km
Nariman Point – 6 km
Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus – 11 km
University of Mumbai – 0.43 km
How To Reach:
By Road:
The Cathedral is located near Horniman Circle which is centrally situated in Mumbai. If you are coming from the south, you can opt for the Worli Sea-Link or take the famous M.G. Road from the north to reach your destination. Local transport such as B.E.S.T buses, auto-rickshaws and taxis can be used to reach this destination.
By Rail:
Local trains (Western Expressway) from Borivali station, Malad station or even Mumbai Central station will stop at the M.G Road station. From here, St. Thomas Cathedral is a five minute walk. You can also hire an auto-rickshaw or a taxi to bring you to the Cathedral once you are off the train.
