St. Andrews Church
St. Andrews Church
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
4.0
26 reviews
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12
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4
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#amosamiyanayek🎧
Chennai (Madras), India120 contributions
Dec 2019 • Friends
based on architecture.. maintenance are such a well one of the oldest church ... very close to egmore station and bus stop calm atmosphere and greeny garden mass timing fixed my proper schedule mostly in English and very well understandable
Written 5 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Niya1315
Gurugram (Gurgaon), India1,063 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
This church has a very tall building, which is visible from a distance too. This church is at a walking distance from Egmore Railway Station. The area of this church is quite big. The environment is very soothing here.
Written 29 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Steven Paul
Bengaluru, India651 contributions
Nov 2018 • Couples
This Church is also known as "The Kirk" and it was built more than 200 years ago. The pews or the seating arrangement at this Church is very different from the other Churches. The pews are in a half circle formation like in the Indian Parliament. The place is vast and is situated on one of the most busy roads of Chennai it is just 15 minutes drive from the Chennai Central station or the Egmore railway station, in fact it is situated right in the middle of both these important railway stations. The pipe organ of the Church is very old and was procured from England, it is still being played at the worship services. The parking space is huge. There are Morning and Evening worship services. The interiors of the Church are well maintained and so also the outside.
Written 3 November 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
abrahamsuji
Bangalore District, India424 contributions
Apr 2018 • Solo
Magnificent ambience. Unique furniture style. Old world charm. Easy access from railway station and bus station. Must visit
Written 16 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EbinRaj
Toronto, Canada46 contributions
Aug 2017 • Family
St. Andrews church aka 'The Kirk' is over 200 years old... The beauty is that the original structure still remains intact and is used by the congregation for Sunday morning mass every week!!
The interiors is amazing with the dome shaped structure in the dented supported by solid pillars which are made of lime and egg whites... Yeah.. I mean it.. they used egg whites to build the structure...
Another high flight of the church is the 18th century Pipe-Organ that they have.. The pipe-organ was originally imported from England and they stills get it serviced by experts from England.. If you want to hear centuries old pope-organ music.. do visit them during the Sunday morning mass!!
The interiors is amazing with the dome shaped structure in the dented supported by solid pillars which are made of lime and egg whites... Yeah.. I mean it.. they used egg whites to build the structure...
Another high flight of the church is the 18th century Pipe-Organ that they have.. The pipe-organ was originally imported from England and they stills get it serviced by experts from England.. If you want to hear centuries old pope-organ music.. do visit them during the Sunday morning mass!!
Written 16 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
worldwomantourist
Bengaluru, India374 contributions
Sep 2017 • Friends
St Andrews Church is a peaceful sanctuary. It was built by the Scottish community in Chennai in 1821. The principal portion of the church built around a dome is small but beautifully done in those days is definitely a worth visit.
Written 30 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
AmuthaDinesh
Nagercoil, India303 contributions
Oct 2017 • Family
St. Andrew’s Church (The KIrk) is a stone’s throw away from Egmore Railway Station which is easily accessible from most parts of Chennai city. Calmness and solemnity is an integral part of the Service and the Church choir is an exemplary one. The service is conducted in English. The architecture and the ambience adds more holiness to the Church.
Written 24 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
kowie55
Chennai (Madras), India646 contributions
Sep 2017
This church was built by 2 British military engineers circa 1820. They built it despite the huge challenge of swampy unstable ground and is considered an engineering marvel. They overcame the challenge and built the church with the tallest spire in Chennai. The roof of the prayer hall is coated with lapis lazuli which gives an impression of a starlit night. The Organ is a very old instrument and it is a pleasure to listen to inspiring music during the service. The stained glass window behind the altar is another wonderful piece of art.
Written 21 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dilip S
Vadodara, India1,122 contributions
Dec 2016 • Couples
On 10th December , we visited St. Andrew's Church (The Kirk) , inspired by St Martin in the Fields in London , a magnificent example of Neo Classical architecture and designed & executed by Major Thomas de Havilland & Colonel James Caldwell of Madras Regiment was of the Scottish Presbyterian tradition and continues to belong to it .
On April 06th 1818 the Foundation stone of the Church was laid . The Kirk was Consecrated for God’s Glory on February 25th 1821 . The Church Bell rang for the first time in 1822 . Superb Mahogany pews furnish the interior . From 1839 , the pews were let out to prominent citizens , the brass fittings that once held their name cards were seen by us . In 1881 , Evening Services were started after installation of lamps lit by kerosene . The dull green and burnished gold Pipe Organ , having 9 stops in the Great manual, 11 stops in the Swell manual, six stops in the Choir manual, two stops in the Pedal manual and five couplers , tracker action , manufactured by Messrs Peter Conacher & Co Ltd (Springwood, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England) became part of worship and praise (A small organ was used before this pipe organ) in 1883 . On October 10th , 1909 a stone pulpit was introduced for the first time .
As the Kirk stood on a flood prone sandy soil, the foundation of the Kirk was laid by digging 150 , 4 m to 15 m deep wells underneath . The wells were constructed either by specially made curved bricks or pottery cylinders . These wells were dug by a group of itinerant well sinkers – the Mumvutties . These wells were placed so well to ensure maximum compaction of soil , allowing the water to rise within them and thus protecting the main building .
The body of the Kirk was a circle , with rectangular compartments to the east and the west . The circular part 24.5 m in diameter was crowned by a shallow masonry dome in deep blue colour formed by crushed sea shells mixed with lapis lazuli . The dome was painted with golden stars and supported by 16 fluted pillars with Corinthian capitals lending beauty and balance to the design .
The steeple was 50 m high . On top of its slim pyramidal spire was a bronze weathercock .
This was one of the most inspirational churches we had visited .
On April 06th 1818 the Foundation stone of the Church was laid . The Kirk was Consecrated for God’s Glory on February 25th 1821 . The Church Bell rang for the first time in 1822 . Superb Mahogany pews furnish the interior . From 1839 , the pews were let out to prominent citizens , the brass fittings that once held their name cards were seen by us . In 1881 , Evening Services were started after installation of lamps lit by kerosene . The dull green and burnished gold Pipe Organ , having 9 stops in the Great manual, 11 stops in the Swell manual, six stops in the Choir manual, two stops in the Pedal manual and five couplers , tracker action , manufactured by Messrs Peter Conacher & Co Ltd (Springwood, Huddersfield, Yorkshire, England) became part of worship and praise (A small organ was used before this pipe organ) in 1883 . On October 10th , 1909 a stone pulpit was introduced for the first time .
As the Kirk stood on a flood prone sandy soil, the foundation of the Kirk was laid by digging 150 , 4 m to 15 m deep wells underneath . The wells were constructed either by specially made curved bricks or pottery cylinders . These wells were dug by a group of itinerant well sinkers – the Mumvutties . These wells were placed so well to ensure maximum compaction of soil , allowing the water to rise within them and thus protecting the main building .
The body of the Kirk was a circle , with rectangular compartments to the east and the west . The circular part 24.5 m in diameter was crowned by a shallow masonry dome in deep blue colour formed by crushed sea shells mixed with lapis lazuli . The dome was painted with golden stars and supported by 16 fluted pillars with Corinthian capitals lending beauty and balance to the design .
The steeple was 50 m high . On top of its slim pyramidal spire was a bronze weathercock .
This was one of the most inspirational churches we had visited .
Written 14 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
dilipjc
Chennai (Madras), India159 contributions
Oct 2015 • Family
Built more than 175 years, St Andrews Church also known as the Kirk, is a peaceful sanctuary amid the hustle and bustle of Chennai. The principal portion of the church built around a dome is small but beautifully done. Built for the Scottish community in Chennai, was consecrated in 1821. The dome is supported by 16 fluted pillars. Modelled on St Martin-in-the-Fields at London. Besides being a beauty, the people if you worship here are warm and welcoming and you feel good to worship here
Written 28 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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