Church of Our Lady of Light (Luz Church), Mylapore,
Chennai
Church
of Our Lady of Light is a Roman
Catholic shrine located in
Mylapore in Chennai City in
Tamilnadu. It is commonly called as Luz Church by the locals, which
derives from the Portuguese name Nossa Senhora da Luz. Built in 1516 by
the Portuguese, it is one of the oldest Churches in the city and its
foundation stone marks as one of the oldest European monuments in India. The history of the church dates
to the 16th-century legend of safe arrival to land by missionaries. The church is located very near to the Santhome
Basilica, where Apostle
Thomas is believed to be buried.
Although
at the time the church was built, the locality was a thick forest, now it is
part of a bustling metropolitan area. This 16th-century European-architecture
building consists of patterns of Gothic arches and Baroque ornamentation. The
feast of Our Lady of Light is celebrated on the 15 August every year. On 15
August, 2010, Church of Our Lady of Light was declared Shrine of Our Lady of
Light by A. M. Chinnappa, Archbishop
of Madras-Mylapore. This small church is
probably one of the oldest churches in India.
Tucked
away in a narrow lane behind St. Isabel's hospital in Mylapore is The Church of
Our Lady of Light, commonly known as Luz Church. Atop its archway, clearly
marked, is the year of its founding: 1516. Locally called ‘Kattu Koil' or
‘Forest Shrine', it is the city's oldest-known Church. Luz Church, the first
church in the city and the second on the east coast to be dedicated to the
Virgin Mary. At present Luz church is under diocese of Madras-Mylapore.
Etymology
Luz
means light in Portuguese. This is to symbolize the light that was sighted by
the Franciscan missionaries from Portugal who had set sail for India's southern
coast around 1500 AD. Luz Church is still sometimes referred to as 'Kaatu
Kovil' (Church in the forest), indicative of the forested area that is now the
busy streets of Luz area.
History
For
brief details, please refer below link;
The
Church
The
existing structure at Luz was built by the Portuguese in 1516. The architecture
of the building consists of patterns of Gothic arches, Baroque ornamentation compounded with
classical European style. The altars are gilded with silver and gold leaves and
the ceilings with powder blue fresco paintings. The
building plan resembles the Portuguese style in more than one way. Luz church
represents one of the many attempts made by these people to leave their identity
in far-off places. The foundation stone of this church is considered to be one
of the oldest European monuments in India.
This
church suffered damage under the Golconda Muslim forces and also from the
Mysore's Hyder Ali. After the British established their administration of South
India from Madras, this church was periodically repaired. But to this day,
nothing much has changed in this church for so many centuries. Just behind the
church is St. Isabel's Hospital managed by Franciscan
Hospitaller Sisters. This hospital has a Nursing college established by the
Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters. You will find Crucifix in every room of the 300-bed
hospital - administered with efficiency and dedication with the same missionary
zeal.
On the
entrance steps, on the altar and on the walls surrounding it – there are tombs
everywhere, inscribed in stone and marble. Most date back to the early 1800s.
The sanctum sanctorum itself is surrounded by ochre swirls and leaves, flowers
of gold and silver. And in the middle, stands the Our Lady of Light statue. The
church is dated 1516 and an inscription says, ‘Friar Pedro of the Observance of
St Francis built this church of Our Lady of Light in 1516.’ However, historians
say that the date may be wrong or it could have possibly existed as a smaller
church.
Although
it was damaged during the wars in the 17th century, the church was restored
several times. However, it stands testimony to distinct European style with
arches and ornamentation – a combination of Gothic and Baroque styles with
frescos on the ceilings. The original structure must have been a small Oratory.
The Church of Lady of Light, which was built in 1516, has now been renovated
and restored to its original form. Today, it stands proud as a testimony of
faith and hope for generations to come. An unbroken list of vicars and parish
priests of the Luz Church from 1787 has been preserved in the church records.
It feels
very calm and soothing when one enters the church building. With passage of
time some additional structures were constructed inside the church complex
mainly for administrative purposes. This ancient church was raised to the
status of a Shrine on 15th August 2010 and also to the status of a
Heritage Monumental Shrine in the city of Chennai. This Heritage status is
accorded by the Department of Metropolitan Development Authority as Heritage
Building in Tamil Nadu.
Mass
Every
day three masses are conducted in the Church. These masses are conducted in
Tamil language so that locals can understand. On Sunday, there are four masses
– of that one is for children and other one in English. On special occasions
like Christmas, Good Friday and the annual feast day Church is decorated with
lights. Luz Church is not all about masses and feasts, apart from religious functions
Church also undertakes various other activities. The Church conducts some
vocational courses for residents of nearby locality. Luz Church also governs
the Stella Maris College in Chennai.
Feast
The
feast of Our Lady of Light is celebrated on 15 August every year which is
also the day of Indian independence and hence a national
holiday. The day is also as the feast
of Assumption of Mary. The feast is celebrated with a grand mass and car
procession.
Contact
Church
of Our Lady of Light
No.156,
Luz Church Road,
Luz,
Mylapore,
Chennai
– 600 004
Phone: + 91 44 2499 2568
Connectivity
For
brief details, please refer below link;