Located in southern side of Marina Drive, Santhome Cathedral Basilica is an important monument in Chennai. This basilica is under the Roman Cathedral Church. In earlier days, the location of the church was known as the Betuna. The church is devoted to apostle St. Thomas. One among the twelve apostles, he arrived during the middle of first century AD. He started preaching at the Little Mount, now called Chinnamalai in Tamil Nadu. In the year 72 AD, he was put to death on the St. Thomas Mount. At his burial place, a church was built. Later, the church went through many renovations and was called Santhome Basilica Cathedral. This church was built by Portuguese.

San Thome Cathedral Basilica Chennai is visited by thousands of devotees and tourists from different regions of the country. This church is counted among the religious heritage of Chennai. Built during 14th-15th century, this church is excellent example of Neo-Gothic style.

San Thome Cathedral Church is the final resting place of St. Thomas. It is believed that the crypt of the church still have few remains of Saint Thomas’ body and a piece of his bone. Present church was renovated by British during 1893. It is 50 feet high structure. Tales of St. Thomas with resurrected Christ are depicted on the 14 wooden plaques. Church is embellished with stain glass work.

It is only second church in the whole world which was erected over the burial place of the apostle. A small hand bone and a lance, which was used to end his life, are included in the shrines at the church. San Thome Basilica Chennai contains the statue of Virgin Mary which is 3 ft high. During the year 1543 AD, it was brought from Portugal. In 1896, Pope Pius XII offered his blessings to this church and was raised to the status of a basilica. In 2006, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of India declared it as an international shrine. This basilica is an important pilgrimage center for Indian Christians. There is museum attached to the church. Though an excellent architectural piece, but this church is known more for its religious significance.