Armenian Church, Chennai

 

Armenian Church Chennai

 

Although a small structure on a busy street in Chennai, Armenian Church is one of the most historically significant and oldest structures in the city. It was built in 1712 by a group of Armenians merchants, who are believed to have walked all the way from Armenia to Madras, via the Hindukush Mountain route. The most popular attraction of the church is its belfry that houses six bells that are believed to be the heaviest church bells in Chennai. Every Sunday, sharp at 9:30 AM, the caretaker of the church rings these bells without fail. The church is also a place of remembrance of the Armenian community that once thrived in Madras. The graves of around 350 Armenians, including the grave of Reverend Haroutiun Shmavonian, the man behind the world’s first Armenian periodical ‘Azdarar,’ is all that is left. The community, however, is still alive in the memories of Chennai and its people in the form of this heritage building at Parry’s Corner.

• Location: Near High Court, Chennai
• Timings: 09:30 am – 02:30 pm (All days of the week)