St. Thomas Cathedral, Mumbai, an impressive early colonial structure and its famous memorials -01
First historical British Cathedral, Mumbai (Bombay), St.Thomas Church, India — British India
St. Thomas’ Cathedral, the first Anglican Church in Mumbai was built in 1718. Situated near Flora Fountain and Church Gate railway station in the busy part of Fort area of Mumbai; this cathedral was selected for the UNESCO Asia-Pacific heritage conservation award in the year 2004. The idea for building the Cathedral of St.Thomas, named after the first apostle of India who came from Malabar (Kerala) was initiated by Governor Aungier of the East India Company in 1676 AD. St. Thomas established seven and half churches in Kerala after his arrival there in AD 52.
After his sudden death, the church construction was stopped midway. The foundation stone for the church was laid in 1676, on Bombay Green, at the present site of the St. Thomas’ Cathedral, but over 40 years elapsed before construction could be completed.
In 1668 King Charles transferred Bombay and its surroundings to the East India Company on lease for the latter to carry on their trade activities. Previously the island of Bombay that was under the Portuguese possession became a part of the dowry of the Portuguese princess Infanta Catherine of Braganza on her marriage to Charles II of England under the Anglo — Portuguese treaty of June 1661.
It was one Richard Cobbe, the Chaplain,who was saddened by the sight of incomplete cathedral building, took the initiative to finish the project soon. He completed the construction work between 1715 and 1718. The East India Company took up the responsibility of resuming the church construction work. Since its opening on the Christmas Day in 1718, It has served continuously as a church initially to the local European community, and later after independence, to the local Angelo-Indian and Indian communities in and around Bombay(Mumbai). The St. Thomas cathedral church was consecrated as a Cathedral in July 1837. Thomas Carr was the first bishop of the church. It was in the year 1838, a clock and a tower were added towards the western end of the church.
The church, built in Neo-Classical and Neo-Gothic architecture having a white façade has a close resemblance with the St. Thomas cathedral Ireland. The interiors of the church are decorated with painted glass windows, brass antiques, plaster of Paris shapes, and memorials which are dedicated to British parishioners. The arched windows in St. Thomas cathedral add extra grace to its beautiful architecture. An interesting feature of this church is its construction work was on during the colonial wars. So, as a safety precaution and to use the cathedral as a shelter in case of emergency, the roof of this cathedral is made with canon-proof material. The British used the similar technique in the contraction of the Historic St. Mary’s church within the confines of Ft. St. George of Madras (Chennai, TN). They faced threats from the French and others.
Above image: This cathedral aptly was named after St.Thomas, a prominent disciple of Christ, who came to India in the first century with a view to preaching Christianity. Having settled down in India, he built several churches all along the Malabar Coast in Kerala state called Seven And Half Churches; Kerala has significant Christian population. The St.Thomas Christians are an ancient body of Christians from Kerala, India, who trace their origins to the evangelistic activity of Thomas the Apostle in the 1st century. They are known as “Nasranis” because they are followers of “Jesus of Nazareth.” The term “Nasrani” is still being used by St. Thomas Christians in Kerala. In the earliest British settlement in Bombay there was no church establishment. So, there arose a need for a building for common Christian prayer and religious activities of the early settlers who formed a small community and later it started growing. The church had a special space for women devotees. St.. Thomas was martyred near Chennai ( st. Thomas mount, Madras),Tamil Nadu …………………….
Though the British left the shores of India for good in Aug. 1947, this historical Church majestically stands as a great grand monument that reminds the people of younger generation of Mumbai and the visitors about the eventful colonial era and the strong impact of British legacy as brought out by several historical buildings built by the British in this metropolis including dozens of poignant eulogies engraved on the marble tablets of the departed souls and the numerous tombstones of military generals, clerks and young maids in the cemetery who died here thousands of miles away from their country of birth and who were part of the British society centuries ago. Lots of people visit this St.Thomas cathedral to spend their time to look at the wonderful British architecture, huge stained glass windows and the vintage furniture and brass items. Symbolic of tranquility and peace the front part is painted in soothing white and yellow and adorned with beautiful embellishments’
Proper and sustained maintenance of this church is a must as the church is already old and shows signs of aging.
Ref:
https://mumbaitourism.travel/st-thomas-cathedral-mumbai
St._Thomas_Cathedral,_Mumbaien.
https://mumbaitourism.travel/st-thomas-cathedral-mumbai
www.mumbai.org.uk/religious-places/st-thomas-cathedral.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St._Thomas_Cathedral,_Mumbai
Originally published at http://navrangindia.blogspot.com (modified June 17 2020.)
