St.Ritas Chapel, Santhome. This church is situated on Santhome High Road inside the campus of Santhome Higher Secondary School. This nearly 300 year old Church is one of six churches situated within the Portuguese fort of Santhome. It was built by Armenians who were in good numbers in 18th century Madras. There are two inscriptions on the eastern wall of the church abetting the road. One is in Armenian dated 1729 which says " In memory of the Armenian Nation. In the year of the Saviour 1729". It is not in memory of any individual but of Armenian nation. It was in this year that the tomb of St . Thomas was opened in nearby Santhome Cathedral for public view. Coja Petrus Uskan was present on the occasion. The other inscription is in Portuguese which says " This church was finished anew in the year 1740 the Vicar of it being Friar Gaspar Dos Reis a native of Santhome ". I am not sure whether regular services are held in the church but has been renovated without changing the old look.
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