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From French Monks to Nawab of Arcot: The History of Royapettah Church
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News18•09-10-2026, 18:43
From French Monks to Nawab of Arcot: The History of Royapettah Church
- •Amidst the strengthening British rule, Catholics living outside Fort St. George established a small place of worship in Royapettah in the 18th century.
- •Associated with the year 1769, the original Purification Church was established by French Capuchin monks who carried out missions in Chennai.
- •The church evolved into a social center reflecting composite culture, uniting Anglo-Indians, Portuguese descendants, Tamil Catholics, weavers, and laborers.
- •In 1813, the Nawab of Arcot granted 21 grounds of land, leading to the construction of the new church building completed in 1848.
- •Renamed later as the Presentation Church, it preserves invaluable baptism and marriage records dating back to 1835, commemorating old Catholic communities.
Key Questions Answered
The small Catholic place of worship in Royapettah originated in the 18th century and is associated with the year 1769. Originally established by French Capuchin monks as the Purification Church, it later became known as the Presentation Church.
The Nawab of Arcot granted 21 grounds of land in 1813, which allowed efforts for a new church building to progress. Construction on this granted land officially began in 1820 and was completed in 1848 despite some delays.
The church preserves baptism records starting from 1835, alongside baptism and marriage records maintained from 1840 onwards. These documents make the church an important memorial that preserves the history of Chennai's old Catholic communities.
