Santhome at the Southern end of Marina derives its name from St.Thomas, an apostle of Christ who is believed to have come to Chennai sometime during 52 AD. It is believed he was killed on St.Thomas Mount just utside the city in 78 Ad and interned in San

Thome beach where a church was later built. Several years later, another church was built further inland and his mortal remains were transferred from the former to the latter. In 1606 the Church was re-built as a cathedral and in 1896 it was made a basilica, the beautiful stained glass windows at the basilica portray the story of St.Thomas and the Central Hall has 14 wooden plaques depicting scenes of the last days of Christ, In the cathedral is as foot high statue of the Virgin Mary, which is believed to have been brought from Portugal in 1543.