St.Thomas Cathedral is the first Anglican Church of Mumbai built to improve the so called ‘moral standards’ of the ever-growing British settlement in the 17th century. 

 

Though the foundation of the cathedral was laid in 1676 during the governorship of Gerald Aungier, paucity of funds for construction allowed the building to be inaugurated only in 1718. Richard Cobbe, who was a chaplain of the East India Company, played a pivotal role in speeding up the project. It is therefore not surprising that the entrance of the cathedral has an inscription that praises him for his effort - "Let all who enter this church remember Richard Cobbe". The cathedral was formally consecrated and named almost 100 years later in 1837. 

 

Built in true Victorian style, the church has seen several additions and changes. Each change made to the structure used styles and materials that were in accordance with the eras in which they were done. As such, the church bears witness not only to the evolving ethos and needs of the population, but also of evolving architectural styles. In 1837, the original low belfry (the upper storey of a tower where bells are hung) was replaced by a 146 foot clock tower. Later, by 1865, the chancel apse (the rounded space surrounding the altar of the church) was extended in order to create a larger space for the choir and an organ room. Around the same time, exquisite stain glass panels that were in vogue were added in the apsidal end. In 1921, the pitched, tiled, wooden roof that covered the chancel apse was replaced by a reinforced concrete slab (RCC). 

 

The cathedral complex has over its lifetime been used quite creatively as a place of worship and a centre for community learning. At the time of inauguration itself, the residing Reverend established a charity school for Protestant children in the vestry of the church. The school grew from strength to strength in the cathedral complex and subsequently moved out to a nearby building. The school was called ‘Cathedral and John Cannon School’ and even today continues to have the church as its chief patron. And under the restoration project in 2001, two ancillary buildings, the old Parish hall and the staff quarters, were reconstructed and restored for use for the kindergarten class.

 

Due to its illustrious history, the cathedral has received a Grade 1 Heritage Protection Status. The cathedral has carved marble monuments, sculpture and Victorian iron works, choir stands and pews, stained glass, etc. that easily make its interiors a fine example of the most articulate Victorian Gothic interiors. The restoration project that was successfully completed in 2003 helped not only to mend the broken but also carefully scraped out disfigurements caused due to mindless whitewashing and careless non-coherent painting – thereby restoring the aura of the Victorian age. The Gothic fountain at the entrance that was designed in England by Sir Gilbert Scott was also brought back to life after removing the layers of whitewashing that had greatly disfigured the structure. Long neglected grounds were reworked on in order to create a Victorian style garden. Even the gravestones where many a Britons were laid to rest have been relocated to add to the symmetry of the grounds.

 

The commendable restoration work allowed the cathedral to earn the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Conservation Award in 2004.

 

 

 

 

Address: 

St. Thomas Cathedral, 3 Veer Nariman Rd, Near Akbarallys, Fort, Mumbai – 400 050 

Phone: 2283 9783