St Andrews Kirk, Egmore, Madras





A different view of St . Andrews Kirk  constructed by East India Company engineer  Thomas Fiot De Havilland  and info about its  consecration in March 1821 as published then.  It was a fine example of Scottish architecture.  The  Church was built for the religious purpose of the thriving  Scottish  community of Madras then.  It was built near the Egmore redoubt which was then the outpost of Madras.  The land was purchased for its low value and proximity to Fort St . George. The  land was marshy low land and was subject to sinking and flooding.  The  14 feet foundation of the Kirk sits on a bed of pottery and brick Wells 9 feet deep.  The  Wells were sunk into marshy sand by first weaving a wicker ring to sit under brick or pottery ring. The  walls of the well were  built  with specially made curved bricks or pottery rings cemented with watery mortar over it. The  foundation stone was laid on 6th April 1818 by Reverend Doctor  John Allen


 

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