How about stepping back in time to discover the tale of St. Thomas Mount Telegu Baptist Church? Its story is deeply intertwined with faith history and even a bit of mystery.
St. Thomas Mount is not just any church. It stands on a hillock believed to be where St. Thomas the Apostle was martyred around 72 AD. Imagine this very spot as the final earthly stage for such an important figure.
The story goes that St. Thomas arrived in India in 52 AD. He then spread the teachings of Jesus and founded churches. The tradition of St. Thomas is especially strong in Kerala, with almost every village having a statue and shrine dedicated to him. Legends say that St. Thomas traveled to what is now Chennai to continue preaching. It was here that he met his end becoming a martyr.
In 1523, Diego Fernandez constructed a small oratory over the foundations of an ancient church. This marked a significant step in the site’s development as a pilgrimage center. As the number of pilgrims increased, Fr. Gasper Coelho built a larger church. This was initially dedicated to Our Lady of Mount and later to Our Lady of Expectation. However, invasions by Hyder Ali caused damage to the church.
Sailors once used the church as a lighthouse. They offered prayers for safe voyages when they saw it from the Bay of Bengal. They even fired artillery salutes. Over time, changes occurred around the shrine. The church’s steeple was shortened in 1970 to ensure aircraft safety.
Even before it was declared a national shrine in January 2010, St. Thomas Mount attracted visitors from all over the world. Pope John Paul II visited on February 5, 1986. A statue was later erected to commemorate his visit.
Inside the church, you can find rare relics including a finger bone of St. Thomas. There is also a side chapel featuring the Last Supper in bas-relief. The church also has a cave where St. Thomas is said to have prayed and meditated.
Many believe St. Thomas authored the Gospel of Thomas. This collection of Jesus’ sayings was excluded from the New Testament but rediscovered in Egypt in 1945. Ironically, the apostle whose scriptures resonate with Hindu Advaita Vedanta may have been killed by Hindu Brahmins.
Today, St. Thomas Mount continues to draw people seeking to connect with its rich past. Whether you climb the 135 steps or drive up, the panoramic views and spiritual aura offer a unique perspective. It is a place where history, faith and art converge.