St. Thomas Cathedral is the first Anglican Church built in Mumbai. If you are looking for more information, feel free to explore this article.

St. Thomas Cathedral

Location: D.N Road, Churchgate, Mumbai
Historical Importance: The first Anglican Church in Mumbai
Nearby Places: Asiatic Society of Mumbai, Flora Fountain, University of Mumbai, Nariman Point
Famous For: UNESCO Asia-Pacific heritage list, Neo-Gothic and Neo-Classical architecture.
Timings: 6:30 AM - 6:00 PM (Daily)

St Thomas Cathedral Mumbai
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.

History
The idea for the Cathedral of St. Thomas, named after the first apostle of India who came from Malabar, was initiated by Governor Aungier in 1676 AD. However, after his death, the project was abandoned. The construction for the church was already underway and the construction stood halfway at 5 meters high for around half a century. In 1710, the East India Company Chaplain adopted this unfinished task and decided to make a magnificent Anglican structure in the honor of St. Thomas. After the completion of this grand edifice, this church was finally opened as the first Anglican Church in Mumbai on the day of Christmas in 1718 AD. In the 18th and 19th century, the Cathedral was divided on the basis of different classes of society. There was even a separate room for 'Inferior Women'.

Architecture
St. Thomas Cathedral was built to Neo-Classical and Neo-Gothic styles with a white fa�ade. 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.

Things To Do
Apart from visiting the cathedral, if you are interesting in doing a little shopping around then it would be best for you to head to M.G. Road, Lokhandwala and Horniman Circle for buying local knick-knacks. There are a variety of local street-fare options if you are hungry. Many local delicacies and fast food joints are situated close to St. Thomas Cathedral.

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.

St. Thomas Cathedral provides a window into the rich history of old-world Bombay. The church/Cathedral has been recently restored and has also won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Award in 2004. Many tourists go to the cathedral for some peace of mind and many just to see its architectural magnificence. Either way, St. Thomas Cathedral is bound to stop you in your tracks and take you back in time when Mumbai was still Bombay and much more spacious than it is now.