A different view of St.Matthias Church, Vepery. This was originally a Catholic church built by Coja Petrus Uscan Armenian merchant. After his death in 1751 it was taken over by Danish mission SPCK. It later became an Anglican Church and was extensively renovated during the years 1823-1826. There is an interesting story behind the turret like sphire of Vepery church. Fiott De Havilland the Superintending Engineer of East India Company gave a proposal for renovation costing around Rs.85000 which was rejected by EIC due to its high cost. He felt humiliated. Then John law was given the job to construct the church. De Havilland waited for the church to be completed and consecrated. Then he made an objection to the Government that the steeple of the church commanded interiors of Fort St George posing a threat to it. The Andrews Kirk of Egmore built by him in 1821 was nearer to the Fort posing a real threat which was set aside by him with the reason that it's steeple has no provision for keeping a Mortar which the tower of Vepery church can. His argument was accepted by the Government resulting in the Steeple of St.Matthias Church being cut and reduced to a turret like structure. It was entirely due to ego of Havilland and his nearness to the administration this could be done.
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