St. Andrew's Kirk

St. Andrew's Kirk is a historic Scottish Presbyterian church located on Poonamallee High Road in Egmore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Built between 1816 and 1821 to serve the Scottish community of the Madras Presidency, it was designed by Major Thomas de Havilland inspired by St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. Notable for its large dome, white neoclassical facade and Corinthian columns, it remains an active church under the Church of South India and a prominent colonial heritage landmark.

Visitors can expect a grand neoclassical church with a circular nave, tall fluted Corinthian columns, a large shallow dome painted light blue inside, and a white exterior. Inside are stained-glass windows, a pipe organ, wooden pews, and memorial plaques dedicated to Scottish soldiers and civilians. The church is set in quiet grounds along a busy road, offering a calm interior, heritage architecture, and opportunities for sightseeing and photography of the exterior and interior during visiting hours.

Built between 1816 and 1821 during the East India Company period to serve the Scottish community in Madras. Designed by Major Thomas de Havilland of the Madras Engineers and modelled on St Martin-in-the-Fields in London. Consecrated in 1821, it features one of the earliest large masonry domes in South India and served as the Presbyterian church for Scottish soldiers, civil servants and families. It is now a protected heritage structure and part of the Church of South India.

Represents the Scottish Presbyterian heritage of colonial Madras and continues as an active place of worship under the Church of South India. Known locally as The Kirk, it is valued for its colonial architecture, community services, and as a landmark of Chennai's multicultural religious history.