Saint Mary Church of Chennai (Armenian : Սուրբ Աստվածածին Եկեղեցի ), constructed in 1712 [1] and reconstructed in 1772, is one of the oldest churches of the Indian subcontinent , located in Chennai . It is famous for its belfry of six. The Church, also called the Armenian Church of Virgin Mary, is located on the Armenian Street in the neighbourhood of George Town .
Trevor Alexander was the caretaker of the Church until 2014;[2] as on 2019, Jude Johnson, who is a relative of Trevor Alexander, is the care taker.[3]
The Church [ ]
Altar Armenian Church in Chennai.
Functioning only as a heritage site, the Church is opened for visitors from 9 am till 2:30 pm.
It is funded by the Armenian Apostolic Church [4] and maintained by The Armenian Church Committee in Calcutta.
The graves of about 350 Armenians have been laid out throughout the Church.
The founder, publisher and editor of the world's first Armenian periodical "Azdarar", Reverend Haroutiun Shmavonian, is buried here.
The Belfry adjacent to the main Church structure houses six large bells which are rung every Sunday at 9:30 am by the caretaker.
The Armenians were a select group of merchants in Madras Presidency. They walked all the way from Armenia, through the Hindukush mountains and came down to Madras. When the British were trading cotton cloth, Armenians dealt with fine silk, expensive spices and gems.
Madras must have housed a small but a thriving Armenian population. Today there are none of them left.[citation needed ]
Bells [ ]
The six bells are all of different sizes, varying from 21 to 26 inches, and weigh around 150 kg each, They are believed to be the largest and heaviest bells of Chennai. The bells were cast at different times as noted below:
One bell, with Armenian inscription dates to 1754. This was recast in 1808 and also bears Tamil inscription.
One bell's inscription indicates that it dates to 1778.
Inscriptions on two bells indicate that they were given to the Church in memory of 19 year Eliazar Shawmier, buried in the Church's garden. Shawmier was the youngest son of a leading Armenian merchant of the city of Madras (now Chennai) on whose private chapel ground the present Church stands.
The remaining two bells date to 1837 and were cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry , then known as Mears & Stainbank , with inscriptions reading "Thomas Mears, Founder, London".
Gallery [ ]
Bells of the Armenian Church in Madras
Belfry of the Armenian Church in Madras
The Armenian Church of St. Mary, c. 1905
See also [ ]
India portal
Christianity portal
Armenians in India
History of Chennai
George Town
References [ ]
External links [ ]
show Ancient, medieval, and historical Armenian churches and monasteries
Armenia
Aragatsotn
Ararat
Armavir
Doghs
Targmanchats Vank
Vagharshapat (Etchmiadzin , St. Gayane , St. Hripsime , St. Mary , Shoghakat )
Zvartnots
Gegharkunik
Kotayk
Lori
Shirak
Syunik
Tavush
Vayots Dzor
Yerevan
Avan (St. John , St. Mary , Tsiranavor )
Kanaker (St. James , St. Mary )
Yerevan (Gethsemane , Katoghike , St. Anania , St. George , St. Gregory , St. John , St. Mary , St. Paul and Peter , Zoravor )
Artsakh Azerbaijan (List )
Ablah
Agarak
Agulis (St. John , St. Kristapor , Kumsi , St. Mary , St. Minas , , St. Thomas , Vank )
Amuravan
Amutegh
Anahit
Anushavan
Aparan
Aprakunis
Arakhish
Aresh
Armavashen
Ayrivank
Baku (St. Gregory , St. Mary , St. Thaddeus )
Banants (St. Gregory , St. Mary , Targmanchats , Dzernavor )
Bayan
Bazarkend
Berdak
Bist (St. Mary , Holy Sign )
Brajur
Chahuk (St. John , Shoghakat )
Chalet
Chaldash
Chanakhchi
Chaparli
Charek Vank
Dadivank
Dasno Vank
Dastak
Dastapor
Demirov
Diza
Dsaghkots Anapat
Frank
Gabriel
Gag
Ganja (St. George , St. Gregory , St. John , St. Sarkis , Kristos , St. Mary , St. Thaddeus )
Gardman
Gavurkala
Getabek (St. Mary , Church )
Getashen
Gharadaghlu
Ghazakh
Goghtn
Gtichavank
Hajishen
Hakobshen (St. Gregory , St. Minas )
Handaberd
Harants
Harants Vank
Hazarabyurats Vank
Hazaraprkich Vank
Horekavank
Husakan
Jrdakhan
Jugha (Holy Savour , Hovi , St. Mary )
Kabakhtapa
Kaghni
Karasakal
Karhani Vank
Karmir Vank
Katarovank
Kavakavank
Keratavank
Khoshkashen (St. Mary , St. Yeghishe )
Khoylu
Khunasavank
Kish
Kona
Kovakheghdi Vank
Krmanka Vank
Krzen
Kuki (St. George , St. Mary , St. Vardan )
Kusanats Anapat
Kyolk
Lianosi Vank
Masants Vank
Mesropavan
Minkend
Mruti Anapat
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Navish
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Norakert
Norashen (St. George , St. Hripsime , St. John , St. Mary , St. Stephen )
Nors
Nukzar
Odsop
Okht
Okhti Drni
Ordubad
Ovasap
Pahest
Pand
Paraka (Holy Cross , St. Elia , St. Simeon , St. Stephen )
Partav
Pip (Barsam , St. Pepronia , St. Stephen )
Poladlu
Ptkataghi Vank
Ramis (St. John , St. Mary , St. Sarkis )
Shahpekar
Shahponk (St. Gregory , St. Sarkis )
Shalva
Shamen
Shamkhor
Shavarshavan
Shrju
Shusha (Ghazanchetsots , Kanach Zham , Kusanats Vank , St. Mary )
Taghaser Anapat
Tambat
Targmanchats
Tatlu
Tazekend
Tkhkuti
Togh (St. John , St. Stephen , Red Church )
Tran Yeghtsi
Tsar
Tsghna
Tsitsernavank
Vankasar
Vardashen (Church , St. Yeghishe )
Varzakan
Verin Karhat
Voghohi (Holy Cross , St. Stephen )
Voskanapat
Yeghishe Arakyal
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Yeri Vank
Yerits Mankants
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Abisosi Vank
Akhaltskha
Bnidzor
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Shahumyan (St. Mary , Holy Sunday )
Tbilisi (Vank , Bethlehem , Chugureti , Ejmiatsnetsots , St. George , St. Gregory , Jigrasheni Avetyats , Kamoyants , Karapet , Karapi , Karmir Avetaran , Khojivank , Geghardavank , Mughni , Norashen , Holy Cross , Holy Sign , St. Sarkis , St. Stephen , Dzorabash , Tandoyants , Zrkinyants )
Tokavank
Tskhinvali
Turkey (List )
Abdelmseh
Ablbuhar
Abrahamavank
Adamakert
Adana (St. Mary , Morotu )
Agarak
Aghberts Vank
Aghbunar
Aghmaghara
Aghperig
Aghtamar
Agreki Vank
Ahavank
Akevra
Akhkosi Vank
Akner
Aknji Vank
Akori
Albayrak
Amrdolu
Anarzaba
Ani (List , Cathedral , Holy Saviour , Gaskashen , Honents , Abugamerats , Arakelots , Kusanats , Abukhanmi , Aghjkaberd , Hovi )
Aparank
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Arapgir
Argelan
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Arter
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Kaposi Vank
Karapet Vank
Karasni Vank
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Kars (Cathedral , St. Mary )
Kava
Kes
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Khorsana
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Ktuts
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Mam
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Marinos Vank
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Mordsako
Mren
Mush (St. Marine , Holy Sign )
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Odeli
Odzi Khazina
Ogsend
Ohan
Oski Tur
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Pakagetik
Rshtuni
Sachle
Sbkhech
Sis (Andul Vank , Gavikata Vank , Atanagine Vank )
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Smbataberd
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Tspni
Van
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Varzahan
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Zoravank
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Thadei Vank
Maghardavank
Dzordzori Vank
Hovi
Darashamb
Haftvan
Khoy
Mahlezan
Tabriz (St. Mary , St. Sarkis , Mariam )
Mujumbar
Sohrol
Maragheh
Sarnaq
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