The history behind the oldest church in Chennai

In the early 16th century, Vasco da Gama, the famous Portuguese explorer, discovered a maritime route to India. Right after that, it is said that eight Portuguese priests came to India to preach Christianity. On their way to the eastern shores of south India, they were hit by bad weather and got lost at sea. 

Legend has it that a bright light mysteriously appeared out of nowhere and guided them to safety. This church was built in the year 1516 at the place that the light led them to. 

Although at the time the church was built, the locality was a thick forest, now it is part of a bustling metropolitan area. But still, among the locals, the church is known as kattu koil which translates to ‘forest church’.