St. Philomena's Church, Mysore

St. Philomena's Church is a Gothic Revival cathedral in Mysore, India, with twin towers that reach around 53 meters (175 feet) in height. The building follows a cross-shaped layout with a central hall and side wings that form the arms of the cross.

Construction started in 1933 under Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV and replaced an older building from 1843. The earlier small structure had been built for European residents and no longer served the growing community.

The name honors an early Christian martyr whose veneration spread to Europe in the 19th century and later reached India. Figures inside often wear clothing that recalls South Indian dress, connecting local traditions with Catholic imagery.

The cathedral opens every day from 5 AM to 6 PM and holds about 800 people. Services take place regularly, with special celebrations on Sundays.

Beneath the main altar lies a catacomb holding relics of the saint, brought from Rome in 1926 by a local official. TRV Thamboo Chetty obtained the remains and donated them to the community.

Location: Mysore

Inception: 1936

Architectural style: Gothic Revival

Accessibility: Wheelchair limited access

GPS coordinates: 12.32112,76.65832

Latest update: December 17, 2025 09:34