Santhome Cathedral Basilica in Chennai(India) is built over the Tomb of St.Thomas. It is believed that the original church at Mylapore had been built by the Apostle St.Thomas himself. In 1523 a church had been built over the ruined church of the Apostle.

The present Gothic Cathedral was blessed in 1896 and was raised to the dignity of a minor Basilica by Pope Pius XII on 16th March 1956.

Basilica etymologically signifies a royal house or palace. The term as such, is a measure of the magnificence of a church and is conferred on those churches that are noted for their antiquity and historical significance. The Santhome Cathedral Basilica is essentially Gothic in architecture. The length of nave of the Cathedral is 112 ft. and width is 33 ft. There is a transept between the nave and sanctuary 104 ft. in length and 25 ft. wide. The tower upto the spire contains three storeys. The topmost one was constructed to hold a clock while the second is now the belfry. The tip of the cross on the spire is 155 ft.(50 mtrs.) from the ground level.