St Andrew's Church, Chennai

St. Andrew's Church (Tamil: புனித அந்திரேயா கோவில்) in Egmore, Chennai, India was built to serve the Scottish community in Chennai. Its design was modelled on St. Martin-in-the-Fields. Building started 6 April 1818 and the church was consecrated in 1821.[1] this is one of the oldest churches in Madras.

St. Andrew’s Church (The Kirk)
The Kirk
13°4′47.28″N 80°15′49.32″E
LocationChennai, Tamil Nadu
CountryIndia
DenominationPresbyterian
Websitewww.thekirk.in
Architecture
Functional statusActive
StylePalladian architecture
Completed1821 (1821)
Clergy
Senior pastor(s)Rev. Isaac Johnson
Pastor(s)Rev. Paul Anbarasu

Architecture

The church shows prominent features of Neo-Classical architecture, it is inspired by St Martin in the fields in London. It was designed and executed by Major Thomas de Havilland and Colonel James Caldwell of the Madras Engineers. The body of the church is a circle, with rectangular compartments to the east and west. The circular part 24.5 m in diameter, is crowned by a shallow masonry dome colored a deep blue. This is painted with golden starsand supported by 16 fluted pillars with Corinthian capitals.[2]

Dome

An architectural marvel, the dome has a framework of brick supported by an annular arch and is filled in by pottery cones. Its blue interior is formed by crushed sea shells mixed with lapis lazuli.

Stained Glass

The stained-glass windows above the main altar, in warm, rich colors, are among the glories of the church.

Pipe Organ

Dominating the altar is the pipe organ in dull green and burnished gold. Built in New Yorkshire, England, this instrument was installed in 1883.

Tradition

St. Andrew's Church (The Kirk) is of the Scottish Presbyterian tradition and continues to belong to it. Its form of worship and system of governance continue to be truly Presbyterian. However, it is free to follow and does include other orders of service used by any other Church with which it is doctrinally like-minded.[3]

  • A view from the top
  • St. Andrew's Church, c. 1905
  • St. Andrew's Church, Madras (MacLeod, p. 120, 1871)
  • Interiors of St. Andrew's Church, Madras (MacLeod, p. 120, 1871)[4]

References
  1. "St. Andrew's Kirk, Egmore, Chennai".
  2. Illustrated Guide to India. Delhi: Penguin Books India and Readers Digest. ISBN 9-6225-8343-1.
  3. "St. Andrew's Kirk, Egmore, Chennai".
  4. MacLeod, Norman (1871). Peeps at the Far East: A Familiar Account of a Visit to India. London: Strahan & Co. Retrieved 2 November 2015.

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