Velankanni Church, Besant Nagar, Chennai
Velankanni Church is situated
in the famous Eliot's beach in Besant Nagar in Chennai City in Tamil Nadu. It
is one of the important monuments of Chennai city. Devotees worship Mother Mary as
'Lady of health' in this church. This church is also famously known as ''Sacred
Arokiya Madha Church'. The location of the church is also easily accessible
from any part of Chennai as people from various parts of Chennai visit the
church regularly.
History
In 1971, this Church was a
substation of St Louis Church, Adyar. Fr PT Arulappa, the then Parish Priest,
St Louis Church, Adyar started Our Lady of Velankanni Church. The Archbishop of
Madras Mylapore, Most Rev Dr R Arulappa, erected it as a separate Parish in
1973. The imposing 97 feet belfry was declared open by the then Chief Minister
Dr M Karunanidhi 27th August 1972. On 15th August 1985 a bigger
Church was blessed and consecrated by Archbishop Most Rev Dr R Arulappa. By the
efforts of Rev Fr PJ Lawrence Raj, several extensions and renovations were made
to this Shrine.
A beautiful community hall,
stalls, Museum and class room blocks were constructed. In May 2000, nearly 8
grounds were purchased and a beautiful stage was erected and dedicated to
Jubilee 2000. In 2001 a small Chapel for the blessed Sacrament was built. In
2002 a grotto depicting the miracles of Our Lady of Good Health was created. In
2003, Mother Mary’s Square and Reconciliation Chapel was constructed. From 2000
to 2003, 3 grounds were purchased in which the new Convent building stands. On
8th September 2005 this Church was decreed as a Shrine of the Archdiocese of
Madras Mylapore by the Most Rev Dr AM Chinnappa SDB, Archbishop of Madras Mylapore.
The Church
For brief details, please
refer below link;
Church Timings
Working
Hours:
9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on all days
1st
Saturday & All Sundays 7:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Contact
Velankanni Church,
Elliot’s Beach Road, Besant
Nagar,
Chennai – 600 090
Phone: +91 44 2491
1246 / 2446 6923
Connectivity
The Church is located at about
350 meters from Besant Nagar Bus Stop, 3 Kms from Indira Nagar Railway Station,
3.5 Kms from Thiruvanmiyur Railway Station, 7 Kms from Little Mount Metro
Station, 14 Kms from Chennai Central Railway Station, 14 Kms from Egmore Railway
Station, 17 Kms from Koyambedu Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus and 16 Kms from
Chennai Airport. Besant Nagar is well connected to all parts of Chennai by all
means of Transport.
