Est. 1912 · Archdiocese of Madras–Mylapore
A century of faith in the
heart of Chennai.
St. Teresa's Church on Nungambakkam High Road is a welcoming Roman Catholic parish serving English and Tamil speaking communities with daily Mass, vibrant ministries and a rich heritage stretching back over a hundred years.
About the parish
A spiritual home on Nungambakkam High Road.
St. Teresa of Avila Parish is a historic Roman Catholic church in central Chennai. The parish traces its roots to a small chapel attached to the first Bishop's House in Madras, which served the faithful of Nungambakkam and Mackay's Garden.
As the Catholic community grew, the chapel was elevated to a full parish church around 1912. Today St. Teresa's is a spiritual home not only for local parishioners, but for the religious and faithful from across Chennai who gather here for Sunday services and the great feasts of Christmas, Easter and the New Year.
100+
Years as a parish
2
Languages — English & Tamil
15hr
Adoration chapel daily
Mass & Sacraments
Come and pray with us.
Masses are celebrated in English and Tamil. Confessions are offered before major feasts and at scheduled times — please call the parish office to confirm.
Parish Church
Sunday Masses
- 6:00 AMTamil Mass
- 7:30 AMTamil Mass
- 9:00 AMEnglish Mass
- 9:30 AMChildren's Mass
- 12:00 PMEnglish Mass
- 6:30 PMEnglish Mass
Sub-station Mass on Sundays at 7:30 AM.
Monday – Saturday
Daily Mass
- 6:00 AMTamil Mass
Monday – Saturday
- 1:10 PMTamil Mass
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday
- 1:10 PMEnglish Mass
Thursday, Friday, Saturday
- 6:30 PMEnglish Mass
Monday – Friday
- 6:30 PMTamil Mass
Saturday
Morning Mass concludes by 7:00 AM.
Eucharistic Adoration
6:00 AM – 9:00 PM
A quiet chapel open through the day for personal prayer.
By appointment
Sacraments
Baptisms
Please contact the parish office for registration and preparation.
Confession
Before major feasts and at scheduled times — confirm with the parish office.
Weddings
By appointment, following Archdiocesan guidelines.
Funerals
Please contact the parish office for arrangements.
Devotions & Processions
Devotions through the year
St. Teresa Monthly Mass
15th of every month — special Tamil Mass with car procession inside the church campus.
First Saturday — Mother Mary
Special Tamil Mass with car procession inside the church campus.
St. Teresa Feast
Celebrated on 15th October. Flag hoisting and flag downing dates vary each year, but fall around the feast.
Vigils & Midnight Masses
Christmas, New Year & Easter
English Vigil Mass · 9:30 PM
Celebrated on the eve of Christmas, New Year and Easter.
Tamil Midnight Mass · 11:30 PM
Begins immediately after the English Vigil concludes, on the same nights.
Our story
From a bishop's chapel to a city parish.
For over a century, St. Teresa's has stood as a quiet witness on Nungambakkam High Road — restored, expanded and yet faithful to the small chapel where it all began.
Pre-1912
A chapel attached to the first Bishop's House in Madras serves the faithful of Nungambakkam and Mackay's Garden.
1911
Earliest baptism records of the community begin.
1912
Nungambakkam is established as a separate parish — the formal beginning of St. Teresa's.
1912–1929
The parish is shepherded by the Mill Hill Fathers.
1948–1953
Rev. Fr. R. Arulappa — later Archbishop of Madras–Mylapore — serves as parish priest.
2012
The parish celebrates its centenary with a restored and expanded church complex.
Community life
Find your place at the parish.
From the choir loft to children's catechism, dozens of small ways to belong, serve and grow in faith alongside the community at St. Teresa's.
Liturgy & Choir
Lend your voice to the noon and evening English choir or assist at the altar in the rhythm of the parish week.
Youth Ministry
St. Teresa's Youth gathers young adults for retreats, service and faith formation across the year.
Catechism for Children
Sunday morning classes in both Tamil and English, followed by the Children's Mass at 9:30 AM.
Altar Servers
Training for altar boys and girls on Saturday evenings around 5:00 – 5:30 PM.
Small Christian Communities
Neighbourhood prayer groups that read scripture together and care for one another between Sundays.
From our community
Loved by parishioners & visitors.
A few kind words from those who pray with us — drawn from reviews left on Google.
"A beautiful, peaceful church right in the heart of Chennai. The Sunday English Mass is reverent and the choir is wonderful. I always leave feeling spiritually refreshed."
"Have been attending Mass here for over 20 years. The 6 AM Tamil Mass is a perfect start to the day, and the Adoration Chapel is a true blessing for working professionals in the area."
"The Christmas vigil and midnight Mass are magical. Lovely decorations, soulful singing and a warm, welcoming community. Highly recommend visiting at least once."
"Such a historic parish with so much heritage. The priests are kind and the homilies are always meaningful. Catechism for our children has been a great experience too."
Visit & Contact
You are welcome here — whether for Sunday Mass or a quiet moment.
The church sits in a central commercial-residential neighbourhood, easily accessible from key landmarks across Chennai. Families, students and working professionals are all at home in the pews.
Address
Nungambakkam High Road,
Opposite Ispahani Centre,
Chennai – 600 034, Tamil Nadu
Phone
Diocese
Adoration Chapel