Luz Church, Mylapore was built in honor of Mother Mary. It is the first and the oldest church to be built in the name of Mother Mary in Chennai. The church is also locally known as 'Kaatu Kovil', which means a church located in the forest. It is widely believed among the local residents of Mylapore that St Thomas at times took rest in the church. Luz Church in Mylapore was built in the year 1516 by a Portuguese missionary - Franciscan.
Luz Church, Mylapore is the popular name for 'Our Lady of Light' Church. The adjoining area and the road are named after the church. The Luz Church is known to be Chennai's oldest and the first church to be built in the name of Mother Mary. It is also known as the 'Kaatu Kovil' or a church in the forest. It is believed among the Mylapore residents that the Luz Church was the place where Saint Thomas has spent some time recuperating from the physical strains of his journeys.
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About the Luz Church
The church is dedicated to Mother Mary. Luz Church in Mylapore was built in the year 1516 by a Portuguese missionary, Franciscan. The Luz Church symbolizes the European architectural style. The front part of the church has a marked absence of design. However, gilded altars and decorative interiors, colored ceilings, tracery railings of the choir and the pulpit are some of the characteristic features of the Church's architectural style. Mylapore Luz Church, Chennai is one of the representative examples of the rich Portuguese architecture in India.
Events
Being the first church to be built in the name of Mother Mary in Chennai, Luz Church, Mylapore celebrates the feast of the Blessed Virgin on 15th of August. It is the main feast of the church and is celebrated with car procession and grand mass.
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