St. Roque's Church
49, M.C. Road,
Old Washermanpet,
Chennai - 600 021.
Phone: 044-2590 1981
A Brief History
This Church has a rich historical background. Its unique feature is that it is built in a Catholic Cemetery.
This Cemetery was built in December 1776 for Catholics. It was formally registered on 28th June 1814.
In the same year, a Chapel was built in the cemetery to meet the pastoral needs of the local people
working in the harbour, and in the factories of North Madras. Till 1914, it was a sub-station of St. Peter's
in Royapuram.
On 15th July 1914, the Chapel was extended and a belfry was built. Yielding to the
wishes of the parishioners, to have another Parish Church, His Grace, Dr. Casmir Gnanadickam SJ blessed and laid the foundation stone. On 22nd February 2004, the Church was completed. On that day
Archbishop of Madras-Mylapore Most Rev. Dr. Arul Das James consecrated it as the new Parish Church.