What to expect
St. Andrew's Kirk
A Church of Scotland kirk consecrated in 1821, built to serve the Scottish community of Madras and modelled on St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. Its circular nave is crowned by a shallow masonry dome painted deep blue and studded with gilt stars, and rests on cast-iron columns. It is considered one of the finest colonial churches in India.
Practical guide
Plan St. Andrew's Kirk
Typechurch
Nearest baseEgmore
Best timeOctober to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta
Time neededAbout an hour
EntryFree
Nearest town/baseEgmore
DistrictChennai
Place typechurch
Time neededAbout an hour.
A Church of Scotland kirk consecrated in 1821, built to serve the Scottish community of Madras and modelled on St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. Its circular nave is crowned by a shallow masonry dome painted deep blue and studded with gilt stars, and rests on cast-iron columns. It is considered one of the finest colonial churches in India.
St. Andrew's Kirk is planned from Egmore, one of the travel bases in Chennai district. Use Egmore for stays, food and local transport, then plan this place as a focused stop.
Visiting
St. Andrew's Kirk — at a glance
Timings9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sunday services)
Best timeYear-round
Entry: Free
Getting there: In Egmore near Poonamallee High Road, a short ride from Egmore railway and metro station.
Ask the caretaker to point out the starry blue-domed ceiling inside.
Getting there
How to visit
- Base yourself in Egmore or nearby in Chennai, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel.
- If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
Distance by road
- Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)55 km
- Kanchipuram72 km
- Puducherry150 km
- Vellore135 km
- Tirupati135 km
Road km to Chennai; ghat roads and traffic vary — allow extra.
Timing
Best time
October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.
Weather in St. Andrew's KirkSeasonal guide
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Visitor notes
Safety
Good to know
On the map
Where St. Andrew's Kirk is
Good to know
St. Andrew's Kirk — frequently asked
When is the best time to visit St. Andrew's Kirk?
October to March is the cooler, drier season in the Cauvery delta.
What are the entry fee and timings at St. Andrew's Kirk?
Entry: Free. Timings: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Sunday services). Fees and timings are indicative — confirm on site before you travel.
How do I reach St. Andrew's Kirk?
Base yourself in Egmore or nearby in Chennai, then confirm the last-mile route locally before travel. If access depends on temple, museum or seasonal rules, check on the day before you go.
How much time do I need for St. Andrew's Kirk?
About an hour.
What else is near St. Andrew's Kirk?
Nearby you can pair Egmore Railway Station (620 m), National Art Gallery (850 m), Government Museum, Chennai (1.0 km), Connemara Public Library (1.0 km).
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- St. Andrew's Kirk:PlaneMad, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 3.0