Attractions Of Madurai:St. Mary's Church

St. Mary's Church

Short Overview:

A small church called St.Mary’s was built under the guidance of Fr. Joseph Bertrand in the early 1840’s in Madurai. It was a constructed by stones throw away from the Thirumalai Nayakar Palace. Which was erected two centuries earlier. At that time, the Church & the city was separated by a wall. In the late 1870's, the Madurai Catholic Mission decided to expand the church and at this time the two lofty towers were built. The church which we see now was completed with its expansion work in the year 1916. The St.Mary's Church has given the status of St.Mary’s cathedral which is now a part of Madurai’s Skyline.

Long Overview:

St. Mary's Church located in Madurai was first constructed in 1840 under the guidance of Fr. Joseph Bertrand. An impressive building with two tall towers known as Bell towers consisting of height 42 meters was built-in the year 1870. Further expansion work that began in the 1910’s had to be paused due to lack of funds during World War I. 

In the 1960’s the expansion that had been put on hold for half a century was resumed and a neo-gothic look was given to the church. The church had been elevated to the status of a cathedral in 1969. The new church, the one which we see today, was constructed during 1916. The St. Mary’s Cathedral is the seat of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Madurai. It is one of the oldest Roman Catholic churches in India. its two elegant Roman style bell towers are visible from a distance. The façade of the church is an amalgamation of various forms of European and Continental styles.

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