St. Mary's Cathedral Located in the cantonment area of Varanasi, St. Mary's Cathedral is an architectural wonder established in the year 1854. Earlier known as St. Mary's Church, it attained the status of Cathedral in the year June 1970. The present structure of the cathedral, built under the supervision of Bro. Julian Crasto, Ofm, was designed by Mr. Krishna Menon and was blessed on 11th February 1993. The main attraction of this church, with low tower, spire and projecting portico, is its louvered doors instead of windows and hooded ventilation under the plain cornice, alternating with two bays, each with white plaster niche. The border elevations of the church are separated by pilasters into seven bays, the two external bays having blind door cases enriched with blocked settings and keystones in the style of Gibbs. The five central bays are played down, three with simple louvered doors beneath plain cornices alternating with two bays each with white plaster niches. Above each doorway there is a rectangular fanlight protected from the glare of the sun by a plain timber canopy. St. Thomas Church In the heart of the holy city of Varanasi, there lies a centuries-old St Thomas Church in Godowlia. This church has popularized the area as 'Girija Ghar crossing'. However little is known about the history of this church lying in the domain of Hindu dominating area of the city. According to father Stevens of the church, there are no inscriptions on the walls of this church that can inform them about the time when it was built. The said church is believed to be more than 200 years old, which opens only on Sundays. People of all faiths from the neighbourhood come to the church to offer their respects. This reflects mutual harmony.